The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country [Hardcover]

Lane Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Happy Hocky Family

There is a new book about the Happy Hocky Family. They have moved. Now they live in the country in a nice old house. Now when it rains outside, it rains inside their house, too. No more alarm clocks! The neighbor's rooster goes "COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO" at 5:30. Look! Henry has made a bird feeder. The squirrels think it is a fine feeder. See Holly make a pretty bouquet of plants with three leaves. See Holly itch. Read the book! Have fun.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Look! The Happy Hocky family is back! Look! They are moving to the country! In little vignettes, Smith shows their trials and tribulations. There's the new house that's really an old house, interesting neighbors, renegade squirrels and rabbits, and, of course, the ubiquitous county fair. The flat '50s style illustrations are printed on tan paper that adds dimension and texture. The art is combined with unusual typeface layouts on half and single pages and double-page spreads. Unfortunately, for all its intended humor, this book will have a tough time finding an audience. The parody of "Dick and Jane"-style readers doesn't work when children don't know the original references, and those who will get some of the humor will find the book "too easy." This is a clever book that is more likely to amuse adults.
Tali Balas, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. The Hocky family isn't exactly back; they have just moved to the country--with hilariously predictable results. Smith's masterly stick figures on rough, brown paper backgrounds find that words have different meanings in the country ("garbage collector" means a raccoon in the trash can). They also learn that plants (poison ivy) and farm animals (stinky when the wind changes) have down sides. The approach is side-splittingly deadpan. "In the country there are lots of new games to play. This one is called FIND THE DRIVEWAY," reads the text, which is accompanied by a picture showing the Hockys surrounded by snow. Smith does wonderful things with squiggles of ink, matte colors, and a little collage, and the play of text against image is relentless. Ten of the eleven activities on the school calendar are chili dinner fund-raisers for the new cafeteria, which welcomes students by serving--you guessed it. Funny, and oddly comforting. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; 1ST edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670035947
• ISBN-13: 978-0670035946
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lane Smith is the author and/or illustrator of several award-winning books for children. He is a two-time winner of the Caldecott Honor for Grandpa Green (2012) and The Stinky Cheese Man (1993). Four of his books have won the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award and several of his books, including It's a Book, John, Paul George & Ben and Madam President have been New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. Mr. Smith has illustrated works by the likes of Bob Shea, Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, George Saunders, Judith Viorst, Florence Parry Heide, Jack Prelutsky and Eve Merriam. Some of his most popular books are with frequent collaborator, Jon Scieszka. Mr. Smith lives in Connecticut with his wife Molly Leach, an award-winning graphic designer.
www.lanesmithbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A kids' book for mom & dad..., August 28, 2003

By 

Daniel L Edelen (Mt. Orab, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country (Hardcover)

Rarely does a children's book come along that appeals more to adults than kids (Shel Silverstein's "Uncle Shelby's A B Z Book" comes to mind), but for out and out cynicism nothing can beat Lane Smith's "The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country".

Smith has established himself as a major force in children's books winning many awards not only his zany illustration style that has graced many other authors' titles, but also for the stories he authors alone. His campy and somewhat bitter look at the world guarantees an amusing story, and his off-kilter approach endears him to children.

In this latest work, Smith revisits his Hocky family after more than a decade, this time putting the hapless city-dwellers out in the hollers of the country. Writing slice of life mini-stories, he follows the Hockys as they are overwhelmed by their new surroundings. Ineptly stumbling through the adjustment, they make the reader wonder if they will eventually be consumed by a pack of roaming wolves. Yet somehow, against all odds, the family turn its misfortunes into triumph at the conclusion.

The spare Art Deco meets Cubist illustrations are rendered on kraft paper-like pages and are charming in their retro look. The style makes it seem as if the world is coming apart at the joints. And while the appearance of the cover art and pages makes the book look "cheap" it is well made and definitely high quality.

Younger children will get lost in this book, though. The "wink-wink" style of humor will sail over most kids' heads, appealing more to adults. As a family that did just what the Hocky's did, jettisoning suburban life for a "Green Acres" existence, my wife and I howled at the scenarios the author depicts - they were spot on. Our son, though, didn't get the jokes, but still laughed because we were.

Loved the book, but maybe for mom and dad more than for the kiddies. Still, every child needs a book in his collection that mommy and daddy want to pick up and read first, and "The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country" is just that book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny? Yes. Also meaningful., August 15, 2003

By 

M. Robbins "your hometown hairdresser" (Bedford, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country (Hardcover)

This book *is* very very funny, but I think by the reviews I've read, people are missing the point. The Happy Hocky Family is happy - regardless. No matter what life throws at them, they always face it with optimism. So what if your favorite caterpillar turns into a butterfly and escapes? You still have the cool jar, right? Buy the book to laugh, but learn the lesson of the Hockys. Be happy - regardless. Life is too tragic to let the little things slip by unappreciated.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally hilarious, June 28, 2003

By 

M. B Escobar "escobar3" (Acworth, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country (Hardcover)

This book is totally hillarious. It's even funnier than the first one, which is hard to believe. My 11 year old son and I were laughing so hard reading it in the book store that people were looking at us. Buy it for a great laugh!