Customer Reviews

The Lady in the Box

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

 

 

This is definitely a lap and snuggle book. It's not heavy, but BIG with warm tones and autumn colors settled on the pages. The illustrator, Marni Backer, captured snowy winter scenes that immediately draw you into any large city and any large neighborhood. Could this neighborhood by yours? With each turn of the page, the traffic muffles and city bustle blurs so that you can now be introduced to Lizzie and Ben's dilemma of seeing a homeless woman, Dorrie, and the children wanting to help despite their mother's caution about talking to strangers.

Told with the realism of a child, you'll see how Lizzie and Ben leave Dorrie peanut butter and crackers--but forget to give her a dinner knife. (They did much better when they brought her some warm vegetable noodle soup.)

When their mother takes notice of the parade of missing food items, she begins to become involved. She helps us to find out why Dorrie is homeless and the whole family spends a Saturday volunteering at a soup kitchen.I won't spoil the ending, but rest assured that there is a message of hope for Dorrie.

One of the nicest features about the book is the note from the author on the last page. Written at a level that young children can understand, she explains her idea for the book, where she has volunteered in an effort to help the homeless, and where to start if you want to find out more about homelessness.

Copyright © 2000. Hope Sykes & The RVing Volunteer. All Rights Reserved.

This is a timely, beautifully written, and illustrated book. McGovern treats the subject with compassion and sensitivity. The illustrations are great. A 10+

The book is a great adition to any ones library. McGovern is a great auther. The art an dwords compliment each other. It is a tuching book and has a wonderful kind caring qulity. McGovern really cares about these people.

We were discussing GIVING in a Sunday School lesson. One of the older girls (10) mentioned this book. My son was just in kindergarten and his class was starting to discuss giving back, and they were collecting Pennies for Peace. He didn't see the point in it all. I bought this book, and although it was exactly what his class was doing, it was a great, age-appropriate way to bring up the discussion of homelessness and taking care of others who are less fortunate. I think it would be appropriate for any age 5-12yrs.

What an amazing story. It touched my heart as I read it to a group of children. We should all be so humble.