Almost [Hardcover]

Richard Torrey (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Meet Jack.

He's almost six years old. And that's almost grown up.

After all, he can almost ride a big bike just like his older brother. And he almost never gets scared.

This spunky little almost-six-year-old is ready to take on the world.

Well, almost.

Richard Torrey's sweetly funny tale is sure to resonate with any child who just can't wait to be big.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Young kids dream of being as powerful as their older siblings, and at “almost six,” Jack is almost there––except almost means he still messes up quite a bit. He almost rides his big brother’s bicycle, but he ends up crashing into the garbage can, much to his brother’s fury. When Jack almost makes his own breakfast, a gallon of milk spills everywhere, and smoke from the burned toast fills the kitchen. He tries to build a robot, but somehow the remote does not work. Each lively double-page scenario, in pencil lines and bright watercolors, shows a child’s universal dreams, as well as the warm particulars of one kid’s failure, which culminate when Jack almost hits the winning home run, but ducks to avoid the ball at the critical moment. He almost never cries, but when he feels sad, Mom’s warm hug is reassuring. Preschoolers, especially younger siblings, will recognize Jack’s longing for power. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Hazel Rochman

About the Author

Richard Torrey is the author and illustrator of a number of well-loved children's books, including Almost, Why?, and the popular Beans Baker series. Mr. Torrey lives in Shoreham, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061561665
• ISBN-13: 978-0061561665
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,179,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ABOUT RICHARD
Richard Torrey was born in Los Angeles, CA. where he began doodling as soon as he could hold a crayon.

In third grade, Richard showed a picture of a horse he had drawn to the legendary comic strip creator, Charles Schulz.
Schulz drew Snoopy on the back of the picture, inspiring Richard to follow a similar career path.

After graduating from Allegheny College with a BA in Psychology, Torrey created the first of two successful syndicated comic strips; Hartland (King Features), followed with the sports strip, PETE and CLETE (Creators Syndicate), both of which appeared in hundreds of newspapers around the world.

Since then, Richard has been an author, illustrator, and editorial cartoonist, as well as
the creator of a top-selling line of greeting cards for Recycled Paper Greetings Inc.
He has written and illustrated eight books, including the popular BEANS BAKER series for Random House, and the three book series: ALMOST, WHY?, and BECAUSE, for HarperCollins Publishers. He has illustrated dozens of books for Simon & Schuster, Golden Books, McGraw-Hill, and Scholastic.

For the past two decades, Richard has also been on the faculty and taught classes at the Art League of Long Island.

The son of Hockey Hall-of-Famer, Bill Torrey, Richard lives in Long Island, New York, with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic beginner's book, December 28, 2009

By 

Dave SobzDave (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Almost (Hardcover)

This is a great book for early readers. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is uplifting. I've bought multiple copies for my younger nieces and nephews and for my friends' kids. The author has other books out there that are also fun reading including the Beans Baker series. All good stuff!

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost, June 17, 2009

By 

M. Cooke (Kings Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost (Hardcover)

This is the cutest book ever! My kids just love it. The illustrations are amazing. Buy this book, you won't regret it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost, May 18, 2009

By 

Sallie R. Tafel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost (Hardcover)

"Almost" is a perfect book describing what a child feels when he wants to do bigger things and cannot, but realizing that the end is in sight, fights on to try. The illustrations are wonderful, perfect for the child and adult mind, (as I understand being an adult who will never really grow up) and such a warm family feeling about the book with mother and siblings involved. IT says it all. We have all been "Almost" the next age as a child and can identify with the simplicity and depth of this wondeful book.