Customer Reviews

Home in the Sky

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Artist Jeannie Baker is a talented artist whose appealing collages are made with great talent and care. Her story is only lightly connects the artworks together. I find the story more compelling for adults than for children. My six year old girl took scant interest in the book. Rather, I was the one who enjoyed more the trip back to New York City in the early 1980s: the graffiti, the roller skaters, the boomboxes, the buildings, the assorted characters. Thus I think that this book has become more a souvenir of a bygone age, than a book for children. If you remember, and want to revisit, early 1980s New York then this book of lovely collages is for you.

We originally borrowed this book from the library, but soon realized that we needed to have it around all the time. The collage is stunning and brings to life New York City in the early 80s. Every detail of the pictures reminds me of that era from the headline on the newspapers to abandoned buildings on the Lower East Side. The story is simple, yet quite emotive. Now I'm on a hunt for all of her other books.

I've been reading the Spanish language version of this book to second graders for about five years. They are enthralled by the story and the artwork. The art is done in 3 dimensional collage using natural materials - hard to distinguish from reality. It inspires great art projects. My copy has worn out from loving eyes and fingers poring over it. Laverne David Gopstein