The 5,000 Friends of Veronica Veetch - Hardcover

Hanson, Jean

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1934649279 ISBN 13: 9781934649275

Publisher: Bailiwick Press, 2017

Synopsis

Precocious Veronica Veetch is worldly beyond her years. She talks about opera and oysters. She fences, ballroom dances, and ties nautical knots. When her classmates decide she's too snooty to be their friend, Veronica invites them to her house to embark on an around-the-world trip. Their surprise at what they find there is surpassed only by their newfound love of literature. This ode to bookish friendships, written in Seussian verse, turns ideas about social class on their heads and encourages children to look beyond the surface and into the heart.

About this title

About the Author:

Jean Hanson’s essays and short stories for grown-ups have appeared in lots of magazines. A graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, she has been recognized with a Pushcart Prize nomination, the Hackney Prize, and many other accolades. She lives in Colorado with thousands of “friends” and two clever cockatoos.

Launie Parry is an award-winning graphic designer whose work has brought many books to life. This is the first book she has both designed and illustrated. Along with her two daughters and husband, she calls Fort Collins, Colorado, home.

Review:

"Whimsical rhyme and joyful spunk make it impossible not to get caught up in Veronica's excitement as she side-steps hurtful words and swirls an invitation into the enchanting world of literature. The mixture of sketch and colored illustrations meld with spouts of higher-vocabulary to create a complexity without slamming doors on anyone. And that is the point. The treasure trove of knowledge and imagination knows no bounds and is open to everyone." ― Tonja Drecker, Bookworm for Kids

"The 5,000 Friends of Veronica Veetch manages to warn against the perils of snap judgment and extol the wonders of friendly books in such beguiling rhyme that it doesn’t seem like a lesson at all. In fact, what it seems like is pure joy.” ― Ann Patchett, beloved novelist and indie bookstore owner

"An ode to all things books and self-education, Veronica Veetch is a joy for children and adults alike. The scrapbook-like feel and unexpected beginning come together for an experience with plenty of lessons and tongue-twisting fun. Hanson achieves complexity that reaches for the profound while remaining accessible for all." - Abby Hargreaves, 24 Hour Library

“Featuring utterly charming and whimsical illustrations, Veronica Veetch is a Seussian frolic of dazzling, dancing, and unpredictable rhymes that is sure to delight young readers. With panache and aplomb, Veronica sorts out her friendship troubles in the most kindhearted and literary way. A nod to book lovers, readers, and librarians everywhere who often find their very best friends and adventures in the pages of books.” ― Sarah Kostin, Youth Services Librarian, Bud Werner Memorial Library

About this edition

• Publisher: Bailiwick Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1934649279
• ISBN 13: 9781934649275
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Parry Launie