Ballad of Valentine [Hardcover]

Alison Jackson (Author), Tricia Tusa (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Love really is blind in this hilarious and pitch-perfect Valentine's Day picture book, set to the familiar rhythms of "Clementine," one of our most beloved American folk songs. Alison Jackson, author of the Thanksgiving favorite I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, cleverly replaces the heroine of "Clementine" with a dreamy girl named Valentine who keeps missing what's right in front of her nose: the love letters being sent her way by a smitten admirer. Whether carried by pigeon, pony, or freight train, his messages continue to go unnoticed or undelivered. But just when the lovelorn writer loses all hope, something unexpected happens that proves his crush isn't so one-sided after all. Brought to life by the larky illustrations of Tricia Tusa, this silly and sweet tale is perfect for little valentines as well as grown-up sweethearts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"In a cabin, in a canyon,/ Near a mountain laced with pine,/ Lived a girl who was my sweetheart,/ and her name was Valentine," begins Jackson's (I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie) clever adaptation of the familiar folksong "Clementine." Tusa's (Mrs. Spitzer's Garden) sure black line and watercolors add another layer of hilarity to this story-in-song of a resourceful mountain lady and her harried suitor who, through a string of missteps, keep failing to connect. After giving his love letters "to a mailman/ To deliver, rain or shine," Valentine's beau tries more imaginative means, including a homing pigeon that gets sidetracked in Madagascar, and skywriting ("But the wind erased three letters,/ And you're now my -al-n-ine"). Meanwhile, the paintings show the industrious, pointy-nosed object of his affection just missing each message as she tends to frontier chores with a brisk cheeriness. The artist reassuringly establishes from the outset that the feeling is mutual: he keeps a picture of Valentine on his piano; she keeps a cameo of him on her bureau. Attentive readers will detect that the sweethearts' homes are not so far apart, and as the lovestruck fellow misses his target repeatedly, Valentine begins a holiday token of her own affection. It's finally Valentine's personal presentation of her gift that leads to the pair's rendezvous. This inspired treatment of an age-old tale communicates plenty about love. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A story told in the rhythm of the folk song "My Darling, Clementine." A bashful gentleman sends love messages to his sweetheart, but his proclamations of love never arrive. A homing pigeon flies to Madagascar instead of to Valentine's door with a letter; smoke signals are lost in a cyclone; and a mail car derails, "leaving letters strewn behind." The pages alternate in perspective, portraying the prolific, poetic fellow as well as the plucky lass who goes about her chores and even has time to bake a pie for a special someone. At the end of the book, even though she never receives his messages, Valentine travels from her home across a canyon to deliver her luscious-looking treat to him. Jackson has created a lovesick fellow who, despite his best intentions and for reasons out of his control, just can't seem to do anything right. Valentine is a strong character and readers will feel that her darling will be safe as long as she's with him. Tusa's quirky watercolor illustrations portray a simpler time, when folks communicated by Morse code, an airplane was a modest machine, and a homemade apple pie signified true love and devotion. Without ever being treacly or melodramatic, this fun book is ideal for Valentine's Day programs.
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; First Edition edition (December 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525467203
• ISBN-13: 978-0525467205
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book worth singing, and singing about! :), February 17, 2004

By 

Amy Goldsmith "Amy G" (Los Gatos, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ballad of Valentine (Hardcover)

How can I possibly be the first person to review this book? It is absolutely delightful. I sang it to every class in our school last year, to their delight and mine. I was disappointed to realize that I'd probably only be sharing it with the kindergartners this year. But... many who knew it wanted a repeat! Both the verses and the art are clever, and funny. There are enough details to find something new every time. Though I have used Amazon for years, this is the first book review I've ever written. More people should know about this book, because it's a keeper. (Remember if you sing it that the chorus only appears the first time; you'll have to remember it, and when to sing it.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passes the toddler/preschooler test, April 1, 2004

By 

TOMMY C ELLIS "Prison Rev." (Federal Way, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ballad of Valentine (Hardcover)

We check out many books from the library, and after two to four weeks, we return them. Our two girls were almost in tears as we returned this one. So, being the soft-hearted-can't-spoil-'em-with-books dad that I am, I ordered this one as a keeper. It's so much fun to sing this book to my toddler and preschooler and have them fill in words that I pause at!

Yes, the pictures are cute and make the girls laught too. Greatest of all, this my mother (Grandma to the kids) loves singing to them as well. Any book that can please toddlers, preschoolers, parents and grandparents deserves an easy *****!

Bottom-line: Don't borrow from the library--buy this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FUN, Singing Read!, February 22, 2007

By 

History_of_Art_Geek (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ballad of Valentine (Picture Puffin Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a clever and witty yarn that my boy begs me to read again, and again. And yes, I do sing it, even though I can't carry a tune very well. Tricia Tusa's watercolor illustrations are loosely rendered with lots of movement. She uses economy to express the characters and landscapes, and one might describe them as messy. Her palette is soft with light shades of brown, green and blue with accents of pinky orange for emphasis. Although she's thrifty with the details, the faces are expressive, and alive.

I like this 32-page story, especially when compared to the typical Valentine fare; however, I think some of the vocabulary is overreaching. For example, three-year old children aren't typically familiar with Morse code, cyclones, or quicksand. On the other hand, the lyrical text, and singing attributes warrant extra points. The artwork is messy, but interesting, and the fact that it's now available in paperback throws it into the 5-star category. Fun read for the young and old alike, 2 to 102.