Eight-year-old aspiring writer Janie records everything that she sees in her Brooklyn neighborhood in a little notebook, and when a strong gust of wind scatters the pages of the notebook, Janie becomes famous.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In a sort of junior version of Hest's novel The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11 (reviewed June 5), a strong-minded protagonist fills the pages of this picture book with "her" art and stories about her contemporary Brooklyn neighborhood. Much of the text is set on the ruled sheets of a spiral-bound notebook, presumably the repository for young Janie's observant jottings and drawings. From the women who frequent Margie's Hair Palace "to try and get gorgeous" to Mo and his wife at the corner deli, Janie has something to say about all the locals. The friendly hustle and bustle of community life is captured well, as is Janie's child's-eye view-who is building a swimming pool, which shops are kid-friendly, who sells the best fudge sundaes. Debut artist Sawaya's bright, people-filled acrylic paintings warmly document local life, the simplicity of folk art permeating her illustrations as if to suggest a child's vision. The image of Janie prowling the blocks or sitting scribbling on her front stoop in each frame may inspire readers to begin a little journal-keeping of their own. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3?Janie is a genuine Brooklynite. She has a keen eye for the details of her neighborhood and records them all in her spiral-bound notebook. She's up-front about the purpose of her work?spying! Through her eyes, readers go to school and the bakery, to the shoe store and the bay, to the newsstand and the grocery store. And how does she become famous? On a windy day her stories are blown about the streets, picked up by many people, and read in bed. Bright acrylic paintings depict an urban locale with faces of many colors. The text appears on the paintings and on lined notebook paper. Pair this inspiring book for aspiring writers with Dale Gottlieb's My Stories by Hildy Calpurnia Rose (Knopf, 1991).?Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Amy Hest's many acclaimed children's books include the New York Times bestseller Kiss Good Night. A three-time winner of the prestigious Christopher Award, she lives in New York City.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book! Buy it!,
By
This review is from: How to Get Famous in Brooklyn (Hardcover)
I loved this book both for the interesting use of language and observation and for the rich, colorful illustrations. The story really gave me a feeling of living right in the middle of a very cozy Brooklyn. The description of some of the characters was extremely funny and unique.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Writers' delight,
This review is from: How to Get Famous in Brooklyn (Hardcover)
This wonderful book teaches children to love writing--particularly if they happen to live in the great borough of Brooklyn. Probably it would work even if they don't. It gently suggests the pleasures of observing things, and writing them down. The little narrator watches a parade of beauty-parlor moms, and all the sights, sounds and smells inside. She moves on to Bibi's old world bakery, and Monday back-in-school day, where the principal's skinny mustache tickles her fancy. She's back outside after school watching the million bikes on her block and then she takes off by subway and bus to visit Ruby in Queens, whose Aunt Betty makes the best brownies in the world. All that and more she writes in her notebook, the pages of which are shown throughout. Then its pages are swooped up in a rainy storm gust and blown away. Not one goes out to sea, though. They stay "right here where everyone can read them, every night before bed. And that, for your information, is how you get famous in Brooklyn." Taking her encouragement from this book and others, my daughter became a published writer by age 11. Alyssa A. Lappen
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