The Low-Down Laundry Line Blues [Hardcover]

Cynthia Millen (Author), Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 1999 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When you're feeling down in the dumps, you just want to be left alone. But when you have a persistent little sister who is determined to get you up, hopping, and out of those low-down laundry line blues, there's no telling what can happen. Poet C. M. Millen's unusual picture book about moods and emotions is perfectly illustrated by Christine Davenier, who captures every nuance of the ups and downs of childhood in this dynamic and jazzy book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Snazzy rhyming verse and breezy watercolor illustrations create a rollicking flirtation with the blues in this surefire cure for the doldrums. Determined to mope around ("I feel as down and as lonely/ as an empty laundry line"), an older sister resists her sibling's efforts to perk up the day. But, equally stubborn, the younger girl persists with her infectious invitations: "Be-bop a lollipop!/ Do you like to hop alot?" she asks, ignoring the negative retorts. In an inventive solution, the younger sibling transforms the image of despair?an empty laundry line?to one of delight with a game of jump rope and its requisite rhymes. Millen's (A Symphony for the Sheep) rhythm and blues-inflected verse is studded with images of gaiety (lollipops and hopscotch, sweet potatoes and jump rope). Davenier's (Very Best [Almost] Friends) buoyant illustrations almost as supple as the music of the blues greats. The watery tones of Davenier's palette, in predominant shades of red, brown and blue, and the older girl's slumped shoulders and downcast countenance expertly express her emotional state, while the exuberant poses of the younger girl might just get pouty youngsters off the couch to "Shake, shimmy, and roll!" Scenes of the pair cavorting accompanied by their pet dachshund or hightailing it down the front stoop are joyous, as are the endpaper drawings?laundry lines filled with colorful clothing. A fun and comforting lesson that moods come and go like the weather. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-In this swinging, rhythmic text, an older sister who is down in the dumps clings stubbornly to her blues until her little sister cajoles her into jumping rope. The rhyme and the fluid watercolor illustrations, executed with real verve, successfully capture the stances of the child who refuses to be jollied out of a bad mood and her vivacious sibling who is determined to help break it. Unfortunately, the metaphor of a drooping laundry line may not have meaning for today's audience. Although the children are contemporary in dress, some of the text ("...hello, operator!/My sister needs repair!") and the solution to the older girl's misery (jumping rope with a laundry line) seems quaintly anachronistic. Also, the text does not always scan properly when read aloud. Children may cheer the optimistic, bespectacled younger sister, but there isn't much story here to invite repeated readings. For a more successful recipe for beguiling a grumpy child, try William Steig's Pete's a Pizza (HarperCollins, 1998).
Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; First edition. edition (March 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395874971
• ISBN-13: 978-0395874974
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,366,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Everybody gets the blues, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Low-Down Laundry Line Blues (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book on the subject of moods. The protagonist has the low-down laudry line blues and as she looks at an empty clothes line across the street she recognizes her own feelings as being similarly empty. Meanwhile her pesky, persistent, little sister is feeling fulled up with energy. Little sister lets her energy overflow as she shows her big sister that the empty clothes line can be used to lift the spirits. The story verse has almost a blues music sound to it that children will love repeating. As a librarian of juvenile literature I recommend the use of this book when discussing moods with pre-school and primary children

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Children's Book For All Ages, May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Low-Down Laundry Line Blues (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book. The author of this book is themother of a friend of mine. She is a great author and you will lovethis book. She wrote this book in 3 different kinds of musical ways: Blues, Swing, and Jazz. It isn't hard to figure out what parts are which. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is REALLY good.