Straight to the Pole [Paperback]

Kevin O'Malley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Freezing wind.  Bone-chilling ice.  Knee-deep snowdrifts.
A lone figure struggles through a terrible storm. He's swaddled up to the eyes, leaning into the wailing wind, plodding through knee-high snowdrifts.  Every step in this barren wilderness is a battle. Will he be able to reach the distant Pole? Not if his overactive imagination has anything to do with it.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Snuggly bundled from head to toe and carrying an oversized backpack, a young traveler sets out across a frozen landscape. The child bravely pushes on through swirling snowflakes, slipping and sliding through the knee-deep drifts, and finally falls to the ground with a theatrical, "Can't go on." When a floppy-eared dog appears on the horizon, the youngster calls it a wolf and thinks, "I'm doomed. Lost and alone-." After the beast is put at bay with a pat and a hug, two rescuers appear to announce that "school has been closed for the day!" The last page shows the backpack left leaning against the pole mentioned in the title, which holds up the sign for the bus stop. O'Malley maintains a humorous melodramatic tone throughout the brief text, but the real story is in his textured watercolors, which are presented on eye-catching spreads. Attention remains tightly focused on the brightly clothed main character, while the backgrounds glow with dense purples and grays. The blizzardlike conditions and lack of visibility make the protagonist's game of pretend all the more believable. Dialogue balloons containing quips such as "I told Mom this would happen" add to the fun. The short text, simple language, and large print will encourage beginning readers, while the read-aloud crowd will be attracted to the vivid artwork and amusing situation.
Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Award 

"Not only does O'Malley display complete mastery of tongue-in-cheek, he's got the martyred attitude of reluctant schoolgoers nailed, from the suffering slouch to the dire last words, 'I told Mom this would happen.'"--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
 
"The read-aloud crowd will be attracted to the vivid artwork and amusing situation." --School Library Journal (starred review)
 
"Young fans of irony-fortified humor will get a hoot out of O'Malley's snowy spoof. . . . Guaranteed to elicit giggles from any kid who has worn a snowsuit." --Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802795706
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795700
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Fiction > Polar Regions
  • #88 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Polar Regions

More About the Author

Illustrator Kevin O'Malley has written and illustrated a number of books, including "Little Buggy Runs Away" and the Miss Malarkey books by Judy Finchler. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars cute winter time book, March 25, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Straight to the Pole (Hardcover)

Straight to the Pole is funny book about a boy with a very active imagination. He's all bundled up for the cold trip to school. As he goes he tells himself things like "I'm doomed" and "Must go on". He's almost ready to give up when he hears his friends in the distance. They tell him some good news! School has been called off due to the snow. Now he's free to go sledding.

The book is a good read for all ages. I liked the illustrations in the book.

I would recommed this book to others. It's a good winter time theme book. It can lead to discussions on weather and snow storms. It only has a few words per page making it easy to share with lots of age groups.