Dawn and the Round To-it [Hardcover]

Irene Smalls (Author), Tyrone Geter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

I'll play with you when I get around to it,"" and feeling lonely, she makes a drawing that teaches her family the importance of togetherness. By the creators of Dawn's Friends.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Dawn always got up early in the morning," begins this tale about an African American girl. "Dawn dawning at dawn is what Dawn's mother called it." Early or late, Dawn never seems to fit into anyone else's schedule. When she entreats her parents or her older brother and sister to play with her, she is invariably brushed off with laments of other obligations and promises to make it up to her, if they "can get around to it." Then "Dawn had a wild idea, a crazy idea." She draws round faces to present at appropriate moments: " 'It's a round to-it,' Dawn explained. 'You always say you will play with me when you get around to it, and now you have one.' " Smalls's ( Irene and the Big Fine Nickel ) wordy text fails to kindle either humor or pathos (the drawn-out "punch" line packs no wallop), and overdoes tenderness (the parents respond with instant tears and high emotion). Geter's illustrations reflect family warmth, but they, too, are solemn. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Smalls's messages-to pay attention to children, to make a place for family, to stop and smell the roses- have been presented in many guises, including Nancy Carlson's Take Time to Relax (Viking, 1991), but her approach is a fresh one. Dawn, who wakes at the crack of dawn, begs for attention but is put off by her siblings and parents who say they'll comply when they "get around to it." The little girl becomes tired of waiting and comes up with a creative way to get their attention: she makes four simply drawn circles, "round to-its," which she hands out to her otherwise engaged family when the time is right. Geter and Smalls's work is a perfect match. His warmly colored oils bleeding off the page are juxtaposed with the beautiful, well-paced prose. The daubed and stroked paintings evoke an unhurried mood needed for Dawn's side of the story. Her beaded, cornrowed hair showcases her African American heritage. This beautiful, quiet, impressionistic piece suggests that it's not just "quality time" that's important, but any time. Dawn's round-to-its are sure to make adults sit up and take notice, and give children insight into creative problem solving.
Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st Ed. edition (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671871668
• ISBN-13: 978-0671871666
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,945,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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