The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

by Lucille Clifton (Author), Brinton Turkle (Illustrator) "Once upon a time there was a little boy named King Shabazz who didn't believe in Spring..." (more)
Key Phrases: Tony Polito, King Shabazz

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Two skeptical city boys set out to find spring which they've heard is "just around the corner".

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140547398
• ISBN-13: 978-0140547399
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #794,636 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for Spring Wherever You Are, February 17, 2009

By	Ellen Kahaner (South Orange, New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a brilliant rendering of the joys of finding Spring, and its promise of new beginnings and hope. Children everywhere will benefit by reading King Shabazz' story, particularly the many children who are not exposed to inner city life.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great adventure for the young urban child, rural children may not get it, December 17, 2007

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring (Hardcover)

King Shabazz is an urban boy in early elementary school who has a profound disbelief in the concept of spring. When it is mentioned in his presence, he demands to see the evidence, saying, "Where is it at?" His disbelief is so great that he recruits his friend Tony Polito to accompany him on a search for spring. They wander the neighborhood, smelling the smells and going far beyond their usual turf.
Eventually, they see an abandoned car in a vacant lot and a strange noise is coming from it. As they conquer their fear and walk towards the car, they encounter some bright yellow flowers growing among the rubbish. When they reach the car, they discover a bird's nest containing a clutch of blue eggs, which prompts King to say, "Man it's spring." Fortunately, Tony's big brother spots them and escorts them back to familiar territory.
To the very young child, this is a great adventure, crossing the street all-alone and finding things they had never seen before. It is an adventure for the urban child, many rural children will find a bit silly.