Earth to Audrey [Hardcover]

Susan Hughes (Author), Stephane Poulin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Audrey comes into Ray's life like an earthbound star. Everything about her is a bit far-out. And she's always in her own little world. So Ray decides that this unusual girl who has dropped into his neighborhood for the summer must be an alien. As they become friends, Audrey takes Ray on a journey of discovery -- one that enables him to see his own planet in a new light. Soon, Ray can't imagine life on Earth without her. Susan Hughes' poignant, gently humorous text and Stephane Poulin's evocative, heartfelt illustrations capture the long childhood summer of discovery in a small town and depict a friendship that changed the lives of two lonely dreamers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–Ray thinks that his new neighbor might be an alien. The girl is staying with her father for the summer and Ray is fascinated with her strange pursuits, such as training grasshoppers and just lying down looking up. With a free spirit, antennae-like pigtails, and a fondness for kooky-patterned dresses, Audrey breathes a fresh perspective into Ray's sleepy small town. Together, they spend their days seeing the Earth for the first time, new and astonishing. Musing on the complexities of the universe, they sit still for a long time, trying to feel the Earth move. Poulin's lush, evocative oil paintings feature naively drawn characters that reflect the mysterious suggestions of the text. A cleverly written look at the powers of friendship and creative thinking.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
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Review

(Poulin’s illustrations) illuminate both the humor and the wonder in this deliciously non-sentimental picture book

Earth to Audrey begs to be revisited again and again, not only for its superior design and eloquence, but also for its celebration of the extraordinary moments of ordinary life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553378431
• ISBN-13: 978-1553378433
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educators Recommend!, November 11, 2005

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earth to Audrey (Hardcover)

The narrator of this elegant, entertaining story is a young boy named Ray. The book opens with him reminiscing about the first time he saw Audrey:

"[S]he was sending signals. There couldn't have been anyone up there answering back . . . could there?

When I saw Audrey again, she was training grasshoppers. Her antennae had to be fake. But the grasshoppers didn't seem to think so. After that, I kept my eyes peeled for Audrey. I never knew where she'd turn up. I never knew what she might be doing. She might be creating a strange concoction. She might be building an odd contraption. Lots of times, she was just lying down looking up.

I began to wonder. Was she from another planet? Was she an alien?"

Audrey, after all, seemed not quite of this world. She was quirky. She was quiet. She "had not learned many Earth manners."

Slowly Ray slowly gets to know Audrey-who claims to be an ordinary girl who was staying with her father for the summer. As their friendship evolves, Audrey shows Ray-through words and actions-how amazing Earth is.

The next time I saw Audrey, she was taking off her shoes and socks. She saw me, but she didn't say anything. Still no Earth manners.

"I went over and took off my shoes and socks too. We stretched out our arms and legs, starfish-like.

'I can feel the Earth holding me,' Audrey said, smiling.

'Me too,' I said, surprised.

Audrey rolled over and pressed her cheek against the hot grass. She hugged the Earth back."

As summer ends, Audrey must leave with her mother. Ray asks her to stay. "I can't stay," she replies, "but I'll come back next summer . . . I wouldn't miss it for anything in the whole universe."

At heart, this is a story about the joys of friendship and imagination and discovery. The full-spread illustrations-done in oils-are lively and luscious and capture the beauty of this funny, tender tale.

Classroom Use: We took this book into a second-grade classroom to read aloud. The students loved both the story and the illustrations. They especially loved Audrey. The class unanimously gave it a "10," their highest rating. An excellent choice for a read aloud or independent reading.

Highly Recommended. District-wide purchase encouraged.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story to Enlighten your Imagination..., October 17, 2005

By 

Black-eyed Susan "Garden Shed Press" (Dola, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earth to Audrey (Hardcover)

Finally, a picture book for children and adults to awaken the imagination of stories. Audrey is a one of a kind girl who makes a friend with Ray. They experience all the great kid stuff summer has to offer and Ray makes some associations about her alien personality. The illustrations are extraordinary and you'll wish you could dream stories with these pictures.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earth to the Earth Hugger, February 15, 2008

By 

Theresa K. Karsner "Tealeaf" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earth to Audrey (Paperback)

This book is a beautiful piece of art. Audrey's character is a shining example of how free our minds can be when we give in to what our hearts feel, and are open with the world. It will spark a excitement and leave you with a smile on your face for days. You may even start finding yourself relating to Audrey and giving Earth Hugs to the world. A modern day classic. This book is for all ages. I strongly recommend it for the child inside of us all.