Customer Reviews

Stevie

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Stevie, written and illustrated by John Steptoe when he was only 16 yrs. old, was the inauguration of a wonderful career as a children's author for Mr. Steptoe. All of his books are heartfelt, compassionate, richly illustrated, and can bridge the gap among all races; he was doing the multicultural thing well before it was "multicultural"ly defined and politically correct. Stevie fits in with our current PC climate without coming off as trendy and purposeful. It simply tells a tale of a young boy, Stevie, who is sent to stay with an older boy and his family while Stevie's mother works at her new job. The older boy, Robert, resents the intrusion of Stevie in his life. Always tagging along, getting footprints on the bedcovers, and acting "like a baby" to Robert's mother, Stevie is the classic irritating but innocent little brother who, in the end will be sorely missed by Robert when Stevie's mother finally comes to take him back home with her. As a young white reader who grew up in a very white world, this book, about two African-American boys, was always my very favorite children's book not only because of the stunning illustration, but because of the commonality and familiarity this book held with me: it could have easily been my story. And it could have been any story for any child anywhere. I loved the fact that it was introduced at a time when race relations needed bridging and commonalities needed awareness. It is a book for the ages.

I'm 33 years old, and my parents never took in foster children. They were always charitable, but they didn't want the burden of looking after other people's kids.

When I became a teacher, I saw the opposite every day. Most of my students were living with aunts, cousins, friends of the family, etc. This was Harlem, by the way, and in this community it was commonplace, in fact it was almost a tradition, to take in other peoples' children for all possible reasons. Perhaps it wasn't as common where I grew up because most of the families were stable? Perhaps family means more to some people than others?

STEVIE is a simple book about a boy (possibly 10) whose mother takes in a 5 year old during the week. Robert doesn't know why, and it doesn't say in the story. We only see his perspective, and that's the best thing about it. All we see are the things that Robert wonders about; why the boy is "babyish," why he's called "Stevie," why he didn't bring any of his own stuff, etc.

Foster care is a major part of life in some communities. Unfortunately, though many children's books on the subject do exist, they're often obscure and hard to locate.

this was one of my favorite books as a child because my name was stevie but the book has a lesson for the younger reader on acceptance and tolerance especially helpful for a child learning to cope with a younger child being around and how to be a "good" big brother.

This book made such an impression on me when I was only 7 or 8. I am now in my mid-40s, and I can still remember the story and how intrigued I was with the artwork. I remember crying for Robert's loss of Stevie. I remember feeling the same feelings as Robert as he came to lose his jealousy of Stevie and soften his feelings toward him.

Some might think that this book would be appropriate for only African-American children, but I was a white child and consider it among the top 10 books I read as a young child. And even though this book was written so long ago, it still has major significance today.

Robert is an only child and he is used to having his mother all to himself. One day Robert's mother announces that Stevie will be coming to stay with them while his mother is working during the week and Robert is not happy. Robert gets jealous of the attention the younger Stevie (who Robert considers a crybaby) gets from his parents and hates the fact that he has to share his toys, friends and everything else with Stevie. Robert cannot wait until Stevie's mother comes to pick him up at the end of the week, or can he?

Stevie was published by John Steptoe when he was only nineteen years old. He expertly captures the feelings many children have when they have to share things or attention with a younger child or sibling. Check out Stevie, for a humorous story that most anyone can relate to.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay of
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

wow THats a good book for kids and i know that stevie was mean and stuff and he was a black man but i dont care robert maybe thinks in his mind that stevie is a nice little stevie.can i say it again??wow THats a good book for kids and i know that stevie was mean and stuff and he was a black man but i dont care robert maybe thinks in his mind that stevie is a nice little stevie.

The illustrations in this children's book are beautiful; the story appeals to all children; however, the use of incorrect grammar detracts from both the story and the illustrations. It is possible for children to use standard English if that is what they are exposed to in literature and in life. I was very disappointed in the use of grammar by the narrator and by the characters in the story.