In the Tall, Tall Grass (An Owlet Book) [Paperback]

Denise Fleming (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1995 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: An Owlet Book

If you were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon, what would you see? Beginning as the sun is high in the sky and ending as fireflies blink and the moon rises above, this backyard tour is one no child will want to miss.

A 1992 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award Honor Book for Picture Books
An ALA Notable Book
A School Library Journal Best Book
An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
A Booklist Editors' Choice

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Singling out the "array of vibrant verbs and boisterous onomatopeia" and the "kaleidoscope effect" of the textured paper collages, PW called Caldecott Honor artist Fleming's caterpillar safari "ideal for sharing with young explorers." Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- Bold, bright, stylized collage illustrations capture the eye and the imagination as they depict the simple, rhyming text of this outstanding nature tale. From a caterpillar's point-of-view, children see the many happenings in the tall, tall grass: "crunch, munch, caterpillars lunch/dart, dip, hummingbirds sip" etc. Bees and birds, ants and snakes are among the daytime inhabitants. Then, with the "stars bright, moonlight" come nocturnal fireflies and bats: "good night, tall, tall grass." The childlike illustrations were created by pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils, resulting in remarkable images. Colors--shaded and varied--range full spectrum, deep and true through sunny yellow, cobalt, plum, a dozen shades of green. On each double page appears the blue-eyed, yellow-with-orange-spots caterpillar, always in proper perspective to the other creatures. Two-year-olds (and even younger) will enjoy the rhyme and rhythm, three-year-olds exploring numbers will love counting insects, four-year-olds--who are sure they can "read"--will experience success after a few listenings, and adults won't mind the request, "Read it again, please." A real charmer. --Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NB
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish; Reprint edition (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805039414
• ISBN-13: 978-0805039412
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.1 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature

More About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster.

***INTERVIEW***
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl.

Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?
A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I.

Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?
A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?
A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.
Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now.

Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?
A: Experiment with different styles and media.

*From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Descriptive & entertaining November 26, 1999

By Janice

Format:Paperback

This is my son's favorite book. The age range for this book says 4 & up, but my 2 year old just loves it. The illustrations are magnificent. My son & his day care class love to get involved and make the sounds that are in the tall, tall grass. Highly recommend!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Book for Very Young Children - a review of "In the Tall, Tall Grass" October 6, 2006

By Pam T TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This is a very colorful book (see for yourself in the "search inside this book" feature) for the pre-school and under set. It begins with a drawing of a child watching a caterpillar in the tall grass. Then there are more caterpillars crunching and munching, hummingbirds darting and dipping, bees humming, a bird with wings flapping, ants lugging, snakes gliding, moles scratching and digging, beetles hurrying, frogs snapping, bunnies hopping, fireflies glowing, and bats swooping. The last lines are:

Stars bright,

moonlight...

good night,

tall, tall grass.

These last lines make it appropriate for a good-night book, but the language in general is good for children as it has a nice cadence, rhyme and rhythm.

Strum, drum,

bees hum

crack, snap

wings flap...

Four Stars. [B-]. Bright color from edge to edge. Okay read-aloud that uses more interesting, but simple, words for small fry. Suitable for a good night book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars simple rhymes and colorful illustrations July 2, 2004

By audrey TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bright, attractive illustrations complement simple rhymes in large print as readers examine, from a caterpillar's point of view, the creatures that live and act in the tall, tall grass -- hummingbirds, bees, birds, ants, snakes, moles, beetles, frogs, bunnies, fireflies and bats -- as the book takes us through day and into the night.

Simple, effective and appealing to children.