The Line Up Book

by Marisabina Russo, Marisabina Russo (Illustrator)

Overview

"Lunch!" Sam heard his mother calling. But Sam was very busy. "Just a minute," he called back. Sam wasn't ready in a minute. Sam's mother was about to lose her patience, but when she saw what Sam had been doing, all was forgiven.

An ingenous first picture book with bold, brilliant illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688062040
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/18/1986
Edition description:	1st ed
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.88(h) x 0.25(d)
Lexile:	130L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marisabina Russo's warm, distinctive picture books usually mirror everyday scenarios from her own family's life. The Big Brown Box was inspired by her three children's tendency to entertain themselves—and each other—with common household objects (which included many a cardboard box).

Ms. Russo has written and illustrated many picture books for children, and has illustrated several by other authors. She and her husband and children live in Westchester County, New York.

Marisabina Russo's warm, distinctive picture books usually mirror everyday scenarios from her own family's life. The Big Brown Box was inspired by her three children's tendency to entertain themselves—and each other—with common household objects (which included many a cardboard box).

Ms. Russo has written and illustrated many picture books for children, and has illustrated several by other authors. She and her husband and children live in Westchester County, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Just when Sam has dumped his blocks on the floor, his mother calls him to lunch. Sam's not quite ready. He lines his blocks up; they stretch out from his bedroom door. His mother calls him again. ``Just a minute,'' Sam calls back. He wants the line to be longer, and sees his books. Those line up all the way to the bathroom. Bath toys, shoes and boots, trucks and carsand Sam is almost to the kitchen. His mother is almost out of patience. She starts to count to three, while Sam tries to think of a way to bridge the gap between the last truck and the kitchen door. ``He lay down on the floor with his hands over his head. Sam just reached the kitchen.'' On the count of ``Three!'' Sam's mother comes to see what has delayed him. ``It's terrific,'' she says of the line, ``But next time please come when I call you.'' Sam's dogged determination to finish his work adds an element of suspense to the story; the repeated calls of his mother will strike a familiar note, as will Sam's response, ``Just a minute!'' The paintings have a folk-art look and are full of homey touches: a checked tile floor, family photos and a simple lunch of soup and sandwiches. A focused concept, as precisely executed as Sam's final stretch to the kitchen. (3-6)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 1 A charming book. When Sam's mother calls him for lunch, he answers ``Just a minute'' (a refrain with which young children will surely identify). He then uses objects in his houseblocks, books, boots, trucksto make a line from his room to the kitchen. He completes the line by lying on the floor himself just as his mother is beginning to get angry. The reassurance of her reaction and Sam's pride in his innovative route combine to create a warm, satisfied feeling that makes up for the absence of any strong conflict or drama in the story. The artwork, done in cool, refreshing pastels that are accented by warm earth tones, complements the text nicely. The lack of outlines in the shapes contributes to the overall feeling of delicacy (perfect for a book with so slight a plot). While not an essential purchase, this book will be enjoyed by preschool children in both a story hour and one-on-one setting. Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, Ill.

School Library Journal