Down the Road [Hardcover]

Alice Schertle (Author), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1995 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Mama and Papa agree that eggs for breakfast would be nice, but they’re too busy to go to the store. So they decide that Hetty is old enough to go by herself. Although she practices walking smoothly up the hill so she won’t break the precious eggs, she can’t help running all the way down. Young readers will hold their breath as Hetty tries her very best to get those eggs home safely. “The story is remarkable for its evocative imagery, and the loving interchange between the characters sets a charming tone. The words are perfectly complemented by Lewis’s dazzling, impressionistic watercolors that show the joyous power of love and depict a warmly supportive world in which Hetty ventures forth toward independence. A fine book that speaks straight to the heart.”--Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Hetty has never been down the dusty road "all by herself" before, but one morning her parents decide she's old enough to fetch eggs in town on her own. The way is long, and she makes up sing-song "walking words" to amuse herself as she goes. She strides through a meadow, across a stream, and finally "...into the cool shadows of Mr. Birdie's Emporium and Dry Goods Store." On the way home, the eggs survive a close call but break when she is tempted to pick a "Papa-size" apple. Crestfallen, she climbs the tree and sulks until her father comes looking for her. They share the delicious fruit, and then Mama joins them on their perch. The next day, it's apple pie for breakfast instead of eggs. The lyrical, rhythmic text is rich with a warm, leisurely Southern feeling. Even when disaster strikes, there's not much to worry about. The story is both timeless and old-fashioned; the tractor, cars, and truck waiting for repairs in Hetty's yard and the credit card stickers in Mr. Birdie's window ground the rural setting in the present. The watercolor illustrations radiate an almost beachlike quality of blinding light, as well as offer the shadowy relief of intense and subtle greens, blues, and browns. Hetty is a sturdy, charming African American girl with pigtails, ribbons, and overalls. This story is so cozy and sweet that it makes readers thirsty-but Lewis's paintings go down like cool clear water.?Vanessa Elder, School Library Journal
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. A gentle story about the child Hetty, who sets off alone for the first time, down a dusty road to buy fresh eggs for her family's breakfast. On the way to the store, she practices her "smooth walk" so that the eggs won't roll around and crack in the basket she carries. On her trip home, everything goes well--until she spies an apple tree and decides to pick some fruit. As she reaches for the apples, the basket tips and the precious contents fall to the ground and crack. Disheartened, Hetty climbs the tree to a branch high above the broken shells. Before long, her worried parents arrive--first Papa, then Mama--and in a tender denouement, the three sit together in the branches, talking quietly until Hetty's confidence is restored. The story is remarkable for its evocative imagery, and the loving interchange between the characters sets a charming tone. The words are perfectly complemented by Lewis' dazzling, impressionistic watercolors that show the joyous power of love and depict a warmly supportive world in which Hetty ventures forth toward independence. A fine book that speaks straight to the heart. Shelley Townsend-Hudson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (September 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152766227
• ISBN-13: 978-0152766221
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,662,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINE SWEET APPLES, April 7, 2000

By 

Mary (Colorado Springs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Down the Road (Hardcover)

Our family loves this book. It's a great example of forgiveness and families that work together to get us through the tough times. Our Afr. Amer. daughter particularly loves the beautiful pictures of this AA family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Down the Road, March 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Down the Road (Hardcover)

This was a very good book. This story shows a young girl who is given the responsibility of going to the store alone. When she makes a mistake she is afraid to go home. The story showed how the young girl corrected her mistake. It also showed loving parents who were understanding and supportive. This was a great family story. The girl learns about responsibility. The illustrations were done in watercolors and are beautiful.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful New Classic, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Down the Road (Hardcover)

What a charming story of a little girl who learns about responsibility, forgiveness, and making the best of a mess. We love this story!