Something for James [Hardcover]

Shirley Isherwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996 | Age Level: 3 and up

It's an exciting day for James and his animal friends when a mysterious gift arrives. Whatever's inside is hiccuping and rustling, but refuses to come out. That is, until Bear, who "was very old, and knew almost everything." uses kind patience and gentle encouragement to coax the mysterious creature out of its bag and right into James' heart. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When something arrives in a brown paper bag one day for a boy named James, everyone is anxious to see what it contains. Despite clues to the contrary ("long soft ears and a nice round tummy"), stuffed toy Elephant and Winston the puppy suspect that it might be a "terrible fierce pouncer." Fortunately, Bear, who "was very old, and knew almost everything," and whose paw "had the comforting smell of muffins and cocoa," settles the question by coaxing the new toy out, whereupon it is warmly welcomed into James's coterie. Isherwood's fluid prose is keenly attuned to the picture book format?she makes every word count, and the outcome is a perfectly balanced, perfectly paced story. In a felicitous marriage of art and text, first-time illustrator Reed's radiant watercolors set off the tale like a Tiffany setting displays a gem, and he expertly captures Isherwood's vision of a place where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred, the sort of place occupied by Jane Hissey's Old Bear series. The cozy world that the story and the warmly lit artwork portray is one that readers will eagerly enter time and again. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?A warm, sentimental story about a child's friendship with his toys. When a brown paper bag arrives on the doorstep marked "Something for James," Elephant's curiosity is peaked. She waits for a glimpse of her towheaded, pint-sized master, and begins to twist open the top of the bag. A pair of big, dark eyes look up at her, but the critter (whatever it is!) will not leave the security of the sack. Elephant goes in search of James and his loyal dog to tell them about the surprise. It seems impossible to encourage the shy "Something" to venture out, till wise old Bear, whose paws "...had the comforting smell of muffins and cocoa," succeeds. The text describes the sequence of events in detail, and the lucid watercolor illustrations are appealing. The book's charm will be best appreciated in a one-on-one setting.?Kathy Mitchell, Gadsden Co. Public Library, Quincy, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803719140
• ISBN-13: 978-0803719149
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,818,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, sweet text, a warm and fuzzy ending., August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Something for James (Hardcover)

My daughter, age six, loves this book. The first time I read it to her, she watched the pages with wide-eyed curiosity as the story unfolded. What was in the brown bag? This book has a delightful ending that will leave you with warm fuzzies. The artwork is bright and realistic. Your young child will relate to this story... After all, what child doesn't believe his stuffed animals can come to life and talk? This book is a joy to look at and read, a favorite in our home.