Leon and Bob [Hardcover]

Simon James (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1997 | Age Level: 6 and up

Leon spends his time with his imaginary friend Bob, whom no one else can see, but when a new boy the same age as Leon moves in next door, Bob suddenly disappears, leaving Leon feeling insecure and nervous about making friends with his new neighbor.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2. Leon's father is away in the army, but the boy seems to be doing just fine with his new invisible friend, Bob. Just as he did in Dear Mr. Blueberry (S & S, 1991), James captures the wonderful qualities and imagination of a child. The simple text and comic illustrations reveal a sweet boy who misses his father but compensates for his loss by sharing his days with Bob. Especially delightful are the watercolor-and-ink illustrations, with their understated touches: clothing hanging out of a drawer, a soccer ball that appears in many of the pictures, and his father's letter tucked into bed beside Leon. The elongated doors, windows, steps, and a huge bed are funny but evoke a feeling of loneliness. However, the ending is upbeat as a new family moves in and Leon meets a "real" boy named Bob. All in all, a good choice for any picture-book collection.?Mary M. Hopf, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-6. His father is in the army, so Leon and his mother have moved to a new neighborhood, an event made better by the presence of his imaginary friend, Bob. Bob is with Leon at home and at school. Leon likes to read his father's letters over and over, and Bob likes to hear them again and again. One day, Leon notices that a new family with a son his age has moved in next door. Leon has to work up his courage to go over but feels he can do it as long as Bob is at his side, but as he climbs the stairs, Leon realizes Bob is gone. Nevertheless, Leon manages to knock on the door, and the boy who answers it seems ready to be his friend--a boy named Bob. Simple, elemental, yet full of heart, the story, remarkably, captures a character who isn't there and makes readers see him just as Leon does. James' watercolor-and-ink pictures are displayed in a long, lean format that accents Leon's small size in his big world. However, the last scene, a double-page spread, widens that world, showing Leon and Bob playing soccer in the park. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564029913
• ISBN-13: 978-1564029911
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,629,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book about the need for imaginary friends., August 8, 2000

By 

"iloveprovence" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leon and Bob (Hardcover)

Bob is Leon's special friend. They do everything together. When Leon reads letters that his military dad has written, Bob wants to hear them over and over. Bob does whatever Leon wants to do, because Bob is Leon's imaginary friend. Living in a world in which he must move frequently, miss an absent father, and a mother that is overextended, Leon takes control by creating his friend Bob. But real friendships are awaiting Leon. Will he leave Bob behind? Read this beautifully crafted children's book to find out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book, February 5, 2009

By 

City Mom (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leon and Bob (Paperback)

One of the best book for boys I have ever read with my son. My son is embarrassed that I cry every time I read it to him. Deals with loneliness, friendship and imagination. Beautifully done.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant, November 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Leon and Bob (Hardcover)

One of the best childrens books I have ever read, and remembring the last sentence in the book still keeps me smiling. However the art work is NOT by the Simon James that wrote Ancient Rome and I can not believe a review could get two authors mixed up.