A Picnic in October [Hardcover]

Eve Bunting (Author), Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Tony thinks it’s dumb to have a picnic in October every year. He thinks it’s dumb to go all the way to Liberty Island for a birthday, too. It’s too far. And it’s too cold. And it’s just plain embarrassing. But that’s what he thinks before he helps the lady who can’t speak English--and before he begins to understand what the Statue of Liberty means to Grandma.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A contemporary Italian-American family living in New York City makes its annual pilgrimage to Liberty Island to celebrate the birthday of the Statue of Liberty in this poignant picture book. Young Mike thinks a picnic in blustery October is just plain dumb ("Why do we always have to do this?"); he's embarrassed by his grandparents' unflagging enthusiasm for this outing. But when Mike observes a family of new Americans who have also come to pay their respects to Lady Liberty, he gains insight into this symbol of freedom--and his Italian grandparents' gratitude at arriving in the United States. Bunting's (So Far from the Sea) patriotic story includes several hallmarks of now-familiar immigrant stories but never grows soppy, due in large part to Mike's lightly irreverent voice. Carpenter (Twinnies, with Bunting) captures a touch of the "huddled masses" as she depicts crowds on the subway and on the ferry in her vibrant acrylics. Ages 5-10. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Every year on October 28th, Tony's extended family packs a picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and a birthday cake, and heads to the Statue of Liberty to celebrate Lady Liberty's "birthday." Despite Tony's annual embarrassment, Grandma's need to express her emotions over her long-ago acceptance by her chosen country is paramount, and the family respects that. This year, a chance encounter with a family of new emigres opens Tony's eyes to just what the statue symbolizes, and he joins openly in the final toast, proud and unashamed. Carpenter's colorful acrylics are realistic but soft edged, conveying in their slightly blurred edges the feeling of a chilly, blustery day in New York Harbor, seen through eyes moist with tears (brought on by the wind, the emotions, or both). Bunting warmly captures the lasting emotional impact that the first sighting of the statue can have on hopeful new arrivals. (One slight slip-the text calls the statue "white"-but the illustrations show Liberty in her coppery-green patina.) An excellent choice for an October 28th read-aloud (along with Emma Lazarus's poem), and for a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to You."-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (September 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016562
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016562
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,652,552 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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Picnic in October, September 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Picnic in October (Hardcover)

Tony cannot understand why every year his family has to lug picnic supplies and even a birthday cake to the Statue of Liberty. It seems silly to him to celebrate a statues' birthday. As the day progresses, Tony begins to understand what the statue represents to immigrant families such as his. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. The text is touching and meaningful. The illustrations capture the emotions of the text perfectly. This would be an excellent book to introduce the concept of immigration or to present to a child taking a trip to the Statue of Liberty.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Picnic in October, November 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Picnic in October (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic book! I use it in my 4th grade classroom in conjunction with a study of the Statue of Liberty, but it also speaks to many other issues such as immigration, respect for grandparents and patriotism. As always, Eve Bunting has beautiful illustrations that work so effectively with the text. In light of the events of 9-11, this book is even more meaningful and evoked a discussion of the Twin Towers shown in the skyline of New York.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reviewing A Picnic In October, November 22, 2003

By 

Penny (Butler, Mo USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Picnic in October (Hardcover)

A Picnic In October is about a family who goes to the Statue of Liberty each year on Lady Liberty's birthday. A young boy learns why his grandparents started this tradition.
Grandma and Grandpa immigrated to the United States from another country due to harsh situations. As soon as they arrived in the U.S. they went to the Statue and thanked Her for letting them intor her country. So each year since they arrived, Grandma and Grandpa bring the whole family to Lady Liberty on her birthday for a picnic as a way of thanking her.
The pictures fit the text well by helping the reader see and feel the emotions this story tells. The reader can see how important this event really was for the grandparents as well as the rest of the family.