My Backpack [Hardcover]

Eve Bunting (Author), Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Illustrator)

Book Description

When Grandma sends her grandson a backpack, he can't wait to fill it with interesting things. His toy train fits just right. His blocks and his big brother's baseball socks fit perfectly, too. And there's still room for more, including his teddy bear, his mother's keys, and the family cat! It's amazing what will fit in a backpack! Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?When Grandma sends her grandson a large backpack as a gift, she tells him to fill it with "important stuff." The boy does so joyfully, but he goes a bit overboard. Dad's glasses, Mom's keys, big brother's catcher's mitt?all get packed in the large blue pouch. Family members are dismayed about their missing items until the culprit is found. Saddened by his parents' lack of enthusiasm, the child seeks comfort with his father, who ends up putting his son inside the backpack for a ride. Youngsters will enjoy noting all the things that fit into the backpack and will delight in predicting that the boy may be getting himself into trouble. The rhyming text begs to be read aloud. Each double-page spread includes a framed illustration on the right, with the text and whimsical images of the objects on the left. The colorful artwork, done in gouache, colored pencils, and collage, complements the story, giving the book a playful tone. Pack this in your preschool-storytime bag.?Anne Knickerbocker, Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. As a preschool boy tells about his new backpack, he goes around the house happily putting things into it: his brother's baseball mitt, his father's glasses, his mother's shoes, a supply of cookies, and the family cat. After the child strolls out to the backyard, his family start looking for their missing things. Instead of being the hero for collecting scattered belongings and keeping them safe, the boy finds that he's being blamed. A backpack ride from his understanding Dad makes everything all right again. The rhythmic, rhyming text succeeds in sounding childlike but not precious, simple yet not simplistic. Young children will not only enjoy the notion of putting things into a backpack, but they will also empathize with the boy when his actions are misunderstood and his feelings are hurt. Bright and expressive, the colorful artwork centers on the child, his emotions, and his delight in familiar, everyday things. Preschoolers who wear glasses will enjoy seeing that this boy has glasses, too, a rare sight in picture books. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563974339
• ISBN-13: 978-1563974335
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,641,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes for a Great Presentation!, April 25, 2001

By 

Cynthia Vega (Laredo, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Backpack (Hardcover)

I recently purchased this book for a jackdaws presentation in my Children's Literature course at TAMIU. I gathered all the items mentioned in My Backpack, and everyone loved it (especially the part about the baseball glove)! Not only did I enjoy reading the book, but I practically memorized it by the second reading! I definitely recommend this book for all parents/teachers who handle elementary-aged children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes for a Great Presentation!, April 25, 2001

By 

Cynthia Vega (Laredo, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Backpack (Hardcover)

I recently purchased this book for a jackdaws presentation in my Children's Literature course at TAMIU. I gathered all the items mentioned in My Backpack, and everyone loved it (especially the part about the baseball glove)! Not only did I enjoy reading the book, but I practically memorized it by the second reading! I definitely recommend this book for all parents/teachers who handle elementary-aged children.

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loves this book, December 6, 2007

By 

sarah "sarah" (st. louis, mo usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Backpack (Paperback)

I bought this book (used) for 50 cents at the library. It turns out to be a very good spending. My to-be-3 years old son just loves it and asks for it day after day. Be careful when you read the part "the dad asked the little boy say sorry to Mom" since my son turned to be very upset and about to cry the 1st time when I read that part. I had to put some wording by myself to make him understand the little boy is in good intention. It all depends on how you want your kids to comprehend this story.

After a few times of reading this book, my son started to pack his own backpack. To our surprise, he only put his own "important" stuff in the bag and never touched our things without any warning.