The Heart Of Cool (Ready-To-Read: Level 3 Reading Alone) [Paperback]

Jamie McEwan (Author), Sandra Boynton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002 | Series: Ready-To-Read: Level 3 Reading Alone

When Bobby North comes to his new school, he discovers that some of his favorite things are not cool. What is cool is Harry Haller, a big moose of a guy who's friendly, easygoing, and a great skateboarder. So Bobby sets out to become as cool as Harry. And then Bobby goes even further, to find for himself the very heart of cool. But can he find it again when he really needs it?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-3-An amusing addition to beginning-reader collections. Bobby North, a polar bear, makes friends with Siggy, Derek, Harry, and other animal students in his new school. When he realizes that Harry is the coolest kid there, he wants to be more like him. However, as kids will discover, his desire to fit in can take its toll on even the most determined. Bobby has a lot of catching up to do to reach Harry's state of "coolness" so he takes up skateboarding, the harmonica, and soccer. And, most importantly, he reads "cool books." Some of his friends question his coolness and he's invited to Harry's party to prove himself. Bobby tries to display his skateboarding talents but crashes. Back at school, the kids tease him but Harry remains his friend at the end. The text is accompanied by pictures of humorous, lovable characters in pleasing colors. Chapters range from three to four pages in large, well-spaced print. This book should warm the hearts of cool young readers.

Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Sandra  Boynton is a popular American humorist, songwriter, children's author and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated more than forty books for both children and adults, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and four music albums. Although she does not license her characters to be redrawn or adapted, she has herself designed—for various companies—calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689821786
• ISBN-13: 978-0689821783
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,140,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Although I've always wanted to be a writer, I'm afraid I'm best known in the obscure world of whitewater canoe slalom, having competed internationally for over twenty years. Twice during this time I surfaced momentarily into the public's view: once when I won a Bronze medal in the 1972 Munich Olympics, and again when I placed fourth in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. (Whitewater slalom was not included in the intervening Games.) A World Championship silver medal, and the winning of the 1988 World Cup, went unnoticed. I have has also participated in whitewater expeditions on wilderness rivers; Todd Balf's book The Last River and Wick Walker's Courting the Diamond Sow are accounts of one of these, an expedition to Tibet.

I grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended the Landon School in nearby Bethesda, where my father taught fourth grade for twenty-two years. At Yale University I was captain of the wrestling team--every match an adventure. I am married to writer, illustrator, and songwriter Sandra Boynton, and we have four super children.

I like books that are humorous, romantic, magical, and/or mysterious. In children's books I am a fan of R.L. Stevenson, William Steig, Harry G. Allard Jr. and James Marshall, and the aforementioned Sandra Boynton.

My title Rufus the Scrub Does Not Wear A Tutu was named a 2008 Gryphon Award Honor book. In addition to the six children's books, I have published articles and essays for magazines such as Canoe and Kayak, AMC Outdoors, Liberty, and Parade.

The best is yet to come.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A break from the typical moralizing..., January 28, 2002

By 

Mauve (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart Of Cool (Hardcover)

Looking at the subject matter of this book, I figured it'd be the same ol', same ol'--don't try to be "cool", just accept who you are and learn to like yourself. The Heart Of Cool isn't so nearly so dull as that! Bobby starts off simply imitating his cool idol, Harry, but then truly transforms into someone so cool he's nice and chilled. Bobby eventually finds he doesn't need to show off to prove anything to the other kids--he knows he's cool. This is what kid's books should be: fun!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning: This book is hard to hold onto..., August 6, 2001

By 

Celeste (Freeland, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart Of Cool (Hardcover)

I haven't been able to keep a copy of this book on hand because I keep finding people to give it away to. People that I think might love it as much as I did! So far it's been a complete hit. This book is fun, humorous, clever, wise and just the right touch of fulfilling for anyone that has ever wondered if they should fit in. Wonder no more... just hurry and order this slendidly illustrated book. Young, old and all the stages between will love reading this book. Just be sure to buy an extra one, so that you can keep one on hand.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2* Birth of the Cool, September 22, 2002

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heart Of Cool (Hardcover)

Our young bear hero, Bobby North, discovers that what was hip one day at his old school is now passe at the new one. But Bobby meets moose Harry Haller, the "Emperor of Cool" and copies his every move. "He ate cool, he slept cool, he walked cool, and he talked cool..." He becomes so cool, in fact, that one day he literally needs to thaw before he can move! Finally Bobby wins the acceptance he so eagerly sought..

After reaching the epitome of cool, Bobby discovers he no longer has to try being cool: "He already was cool. He'd been there. Right at the heart of it". Bobby seems to have discovered the zen of cool-- being cool is about authenticity and not playing to the crowd. But this moral conviction falters as author McEwan tries to have it both ways: At the contest for coolest skateboarder, Bobby both tries being cool and disdains it. Harry's sage advice that boundaries are sometimes needed tempers Bobby's free-wheeling but potentially dangerous freedom. (In a way, there's a mixed message, being cool means doing your own thing, but within limits imposed by a role model). Ultimately, the sage Harry whispers an understanding message about skateboarding and the art of achieving inner cool: "Many catch air. Only a few take flight."

Perhaps this review finds too much of a message in the book. At the level with which most kids will read it, "The Heart of Cool" uses authentic language(e.g."Okay, big man, your turn! Show us how Mr. Totally Cool does it."). There's a believable spectrum of characters, and Sandra Boynton's ever magical mix of soft line, beautiful, unusual coloration, and nuanced portrayal of emotion. 48 pages, buoyed by Boynton's graceful illustrations and a "message" that may, at least in part, alleviate some of the dangers of peer pressure.