Customer Reviews

The Old Woman Who Named Things

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this wonderful little book because I love Ms. Rylant's book, "Cat Heaven" and had intended to give it to my grandson, but I'm keeping it for myself I love it so much (I can read it to him when he visits!) The illustrations are awesome. I love the little old lady's outfit, complete with flowered baggy pants and pointy-toed cowboy boots. Readers from age 5 to 99 out there need this book about love, life and loss. It'll make you smile.

I don't know why this book didn't get more attention. If I had to choose one children's book as my favorite, this may well be it. And it's never failed me when I've read it for children either - each time, a hush comes over the room.

What's interesting to me about this book, it's one of the few children's books that don't have any 'children' characters. Basically, it's the story about a lonely woman finding a dog, but, like all great books, there's all kinds of other things put in on top of that - old age, death, the memory of good friends and the lesson that you have to be willing to risk and lose in order to love and be happy.

Cynthia Rylant has written a very special book here and I urge you to get this book. You will not be disappointed.

I have a passion for children's books - my 3 year old daughter is so indulged. I found The Old Woman who Named Things whilst browsing this Sunday afternoon and had tears well up in my eyes whilst reading it in the shop! What a perfect and so real evocation of an elderly person's fears, lonliness and subsequent eccentricities. I rushed it home to my daughter and have read it 3 times this evening. She loves it - was amused by the naming of objects - wants to do the same around our house - fell in love with the dog and was so sad for the lady when the dog became lost. She felt the old woman couldn't truly be friends with him until she "named" him. It was so nice too to have a book with an elderly "heroine". My only quibble would be that the term "outlived" is probably beyond most young children - I would have used "died" somewhere to make it clearer. I know its subtlety is lovely but I have had to stop and explain outlived each time anyway.

Ten years after first reading this aloud at circle time, Rylant's lovely story of the old woman who has to decide to, once more, take a chance on love and loss, has become a beloved old friend to me. Brown's quirky illustrations are quite memorable--especially the joyous spread near the end of the story in which the dog, with his tongue hanging out, happily sticks his head out the window of the old woman's car that is driving him home. Cynthia Rylant has won a Newbery for MISSING MAY, and has authored HENRY AND MUDGE, the greatest easy reader series ever published. THE OLD WOMAN WHO NAMED THINGS is absolutely right up there with the best of her work.

This is simply a beautiful book. The illustrations are marvelous - real works of art!!! Sometimes illustrations don't do justice to a storyline - but in this case it really works. The book is very emotional. I actually got choked up reading the story a couple of times to my young daughter. It's a book I never tire of reading. It's deep, philosophical and contains meaningful life lessons (ie. how to come to terms with one's death, the choices we make, whether we choose to embrace life or reject/fear it, the value we place in material things). In other words, it's a book that makes you think. Young and old would appreciate this book as a gift. It's written in a sweet, gentle voice and how Cynthia Rylant has a way with words!!! I love this book so much, I bought it for my child's teacher. Please check out this book - you won't be disappointed.

The book The Old Woman Who Name Things is a good story. I think it's good for all ages. The old lady named her bed Roxanne, her Car Betsy, her old chair Fred and her old house Franklin. She has outlived all of her friends. One day a stray dog wanders into her yard. She feeds him and tells him to go home. The dog leaves and returns every day for more to eat. Then one day the dog doesn't come. A few days go by and she doesn't see the dog. The old lady gets worried so she calls the pound and asks about him. They said they might have him.
She decides to go to see if he's there. He is, so she takes him home with her and names him Lucky. This story is funny and makes the characters seem real. Parents will want to keep reading this story over and over again to their children.

This book is so emotionally satisfying. Cynthia Rylant brings the universal struggle of choosing to risk love and loss to a child's level. I never tire of reading it to my daughters (ages 5 & 3). They love the book, as well.

I bought this book because, well, my grandma is an old woman who names things. I was really pleased with it. I didn't take to the illustrations at first, but they really grew on me; I love all the colors and details (from the car's smile to the woman's paisley pants). The story is touching and held my attention well; it really is great for children and adults alike. My parents liked it, and I hope to read it to my children someday. I'm so glad The Old Woman Who Named Things showed up in my amazon.com recommendations!

Cynthia Rylant has done it again-- this story tells of an elderly woman who has outlived most of those she loved and doesn't want to risk a new attachment-but but a nameless stray dog changes her mind. The story is done with a wonderful blend of humor and poignancy. It is a favorite in one pre-K classroom I know--wonderful way to positively approach those tricky issues of aging and death with young children.

This is a funny story of an old woman who has outlived all her friends. She has big hair, cowboy boots and crazy clothes like Ms. Frizzle. The only thing she gives a name are objects like her car Betsey because they won't get old and die. She looks like she would be a fun friend and doesn't act old at all. She finally finds a shy brown pup to be her friend and must name him or leave him at the pound. I wish the old woman had a name. Read this book if you love Grandma stories or dogs.
PS It's not sad!