A Sky Full of Kites [Hardcover]

Osmond Molarsky (Author), Helen D. Hipshman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Colin wants to show his beautiful picture to everybody, but doesn't have much luck convincing the grown-ups at the Bank, the Fire House, or even the Art Museum to let him exhibit his masterpiece. However, Colin doesn't give up until he finds the perfect way to do it. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The sherbet-toned watercolors are a proper herald of this book's content. Like a tasty frozen confection, Molarsky's (Song of the Empty Bottles) story is appealingly sweet and easily digested but short on nourishment. Colin, an Asian American boy in San Francisco, paints a huge picture and aches to share it with people. He brings it to school, a fire station, a museum and other public places, but no one will hang his work. Finally, when he fashions a mammoth kite out of it, the city and its media, for some reason, take notice; suddenly the museum finds a home for his artwork. Colin's persistence and problem-solving are certainly admirable and the watercolors cheery enough, but the story as a whole comes off as artificial and shallow. The adults' behavior, from their supercilious rejections of Colin's painting to their improbable adulation at the end, points up the one-dimensional quality of the writing. Surely this boy's challenge to adult indifference could have yielded more depth, drama and impact than is delivered here. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Colin paints a gigantic picture with his new paints, but can't find a place to hang it. Everyone likes it--people at school, the bank, the fire department, the freight yard, the art museum--but no one wants to display it. After a chain of rejections, he turns it into a kite; it flies for three days and three nights, making him famous and putting his artwork in demand. This fable about freedom of expression follows a reliable formula--a hero on a search--but the litany of disappointments stifles an already predictable story (the title points the way). Stiff language chronicles what turns out to be a guided tour of San Francisco, with Hipshman providing scenic locales. Her realistic watercolors are drafted with personality, but the size of Colin's painting keeps shifting; his zeal is admirable, and his persistence childlike, but the book is never very convincing. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (February 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883672260
• ISBN-13: 978-1883672263
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,754,357 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book about creativity and problem solving., April 15, 1999

By 

Ann Malokas (Marina, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Sky Full of Kites (Hardcover)

Colin has new paints and wants to paint a masterpiece. What happens when he finally does, is a great story of empowerment, ingenuity, even a bit of fame! There are recognizable landmarks from San Francisco if you live near this area...or wish you did!