Over and Over [Hardcover]

Charlotte Zolotow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1978

‘The year’s seasonal changes and festivities that are important in a little child’s life are imaginatively [described]. . . . The story ends with the happy realization that it will all come round ‘over and over’ again.’ —H.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlotte Zolotow is a revered name in children's literature. She is a prolific, much-honored author with over seventy titles published, including the classic Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present,illustrated by Maurice Sendak, and the groundbreaking William's Doll, illustrated by William Péne du Bois.

In addition, she has been a distinguished editor and publisher (she is now a HarperCollins Publisher Emerita), and by extension, an innovative educator. Her editorial career began under the brilliant Ursula Nordstrom, publisher of Harper Children's Books. The two shared a passionate belief: that children's books should be honest and faithful to the sometimes difficult but always intensely felt experiences of childhood. They were certain that children were capable of understanding the best work gifted artists and writers could give them.

Charlotte Zolotow was born in 1915 in Norfolk, Virginia, but grew up in several cities, including Detroit, New York, and Boston. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and shortly afterward returned to New York, where in 1938 she began working at HarperCollins, then Harper & Brothers.

She started as a secretary, but moved into an editorial career, working with Ursula Nordstrom. Their shared beliefs and the excitement of working with fine writers and artists brought to Harper generations of extraordinary authors and illustrators and gave Harper Children's Books their fresh, innovative quality. Talent was nurtured; books of lasting value were created, many still loved and read decades after they were first published. As Jean Mercier wrote in Publishers Weekly, Charlotte Zolotow would be among the Who's Who of any age, not only as the author of books of her own, but as a force majeure behind many children's books on the distinctive list of Harper.

Charlotte Zolotow has received numerous awards and honors, including the Regina Medal (2002) presented by the Catholic Library Association, the University of Minnesota's Irwin Kerlan Award (1986), the University of Southern Mississippi's Silver Medallion (1990), the Christopher Award (1974), and the Harper Gold Medal for Outstanding Editorial Achievement (1974). Of ongoing significance is the award established in 1998 in her name by the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The Charlotte Zolotow Award, presented annually by the University's Cooperative Center for Children's Books, is given annually to the author of the best picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year.

The 1991 resolution of gratitude given to Charlotte Zolotow by the American Library Association calls her contribution to children's literature far reaching. That reach extends far indeed. It begins with the many books she has written carry her vision into the hearts of children past, present, and future.

She has written more than seventy books for young children, many of which -- have become picture-book classics.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books (February 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060269553
• ISBN-13: 978-0060269555
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,593,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wheel of the Year, September 16, 2002

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over and Over (Library Binding)

This book was created by a true dream team, beloved author Charlotte Zolotow and gifted illustrator Garth Williams. It begins with a little girl who is too little to know about time. She is so young, we learn, that she doesn't know the days of the week yet, or the months, or even the seasons in order. She has memories of things like a crocus in bloom, a snowman, Valentines, a turkey dinner, and a Christmas tree but they're jumbled up in her head in no particular order.
One morning when the little girl wakes up to find that snow has fallen during the night she excitedly wants an explanation. After her mother explains about snow and winter, the little girl wants to know, "What's next?" As her mother continues throughout this delightful story to explain what season or holiday comes next, Zolotow's story gives us charming details that Williams transforms into pure magic. We eventually traverse the whole wheel of the year and return to the little girl's winter birthday where she makes a wonderful wish. This is a beautiful book in every way and is certainly the best I know of for teaching the traditional American/Christian holiday cycle and the flow of the seasons in northern America. It's lovely.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid illustrations!, February 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Over and Over (Library Binding)

I found this book again in the library the other day after not having seen it since I was a little girl. I must have studied the illustrations in perfect detail because I remember them as if it were yesterday and not 20 years ago. Definitely, one of my favorite books as a child!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book!, August 30, 2006

By 

Fascinating. "consider the possibilities" (Eugene, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over and Over (Paperback)

I had the same experience as one of the other reviewers. I found this book in the library after not seeing it for 25 years. I had just loved the pictures and the descriptions of warm doughnuts, jack-o-lanterns, chocolate eggs and other seasonal delights. You won't be able to choose which holiday is your favorite!