In the Tall, Tall Grass (Henry Holt Big Books) [Paperback]

Denise Fleming (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Henry Holt Big Books

1992 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award Honor Book for Picture Books
ALA Notable Book
School Library Journal Best Book
Redbook Children's Picture Book Award Winner
Booklist Editors's Choice
American Bestseller "Pick of the Lists"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An adventurous caterpillar unassumingly leads readers on an afternoon excursion through a backyard, unveiling nature's sights and sounds from a larva's perspective. Measured in caterpillar steps the journey is long, and before reaching the yard's end, it's time to sleep, with fireflies and bats visible in the night sky. This gentle tale is far from quiet, however--among other things, "bees hum," "wings flap" and "moles scratch." An array of vibrant verbs and boisterous onomatopoeic words in bold black type bounce across the pages, describing the various creatures ("zip, zap, tongues snap" accompanies fly-catching frogs). Fleming's textured paper and bold, almost neon hues are a perfect match for her rough-hewn animal shapes and blades of grass. The ultimate kaleidoscope effect makes this title ideal for sharing with young explorers. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- Bold, bright, stylized collage illustrations capture the eye and the imagination as they depict the simple, rhyming text of this outstanding nature tale. From a caterpillar's point-of-view, children see the many happenings in the tall, tall grass: "crunch, munch, caterpillars lunch/dart, dip, hummingbirds sip" etc. Bees and birds, ants and snakes are among the daytime inhabitants. Then, with the "stars bright, moonlight" come nocturnal fireflies and bats: "good night, tall, tall grass." The childlike illustrations were created by pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils, resulting in remarkable images. Colors--shaded and varied--range full spectrum, deep and true through sunny yellow, cobalt, plum, a dozen shades of green. On each double page appears the blue-eyed, yellow-with-orange-spots caterpillar, always in proper perspective to the other creatures. Two-year-olds (and even younger) will enjoy the rhyme and rhythm, three-year-olds exploring numbers will love counting insects, four-year-olds--who are sure they can "read"--will experience success after a few listenings, and adults won't mind the request, "Read it again, please." A real charmer. --Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NB
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st Big Book Ed edition (October 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805029508
• ISBN-13: 978-0805029505
• Product Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster.

***INTERVIEW***
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl.

Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?
A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I.

Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?
A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?
A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.
Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now.

Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?
A: Experiment with different styles and media.

*From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Descriptive & entertaining, November 26, 1999

By 

Janice (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Tall, Tall Grass (An Owlet Book) (Paperback)

This is my son's favorite book. The age range for this book says 4 & up, but my 2 year old just loves it. The illustrations are magnificent. My son & his day care class love to get involved and make the sounds that are in the tall, tall grass. Highly recommend!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Book for Very Young Children - a review of "In the Tall, Tall Grass", October 6, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: In the Tall, Tall Grass (Hardcover)

This is a very colorful book (see for yourself in the "search inside this book" feature) for the pre-school and under set. It begins with a drawing of a child watching a caterpillar in the tall grass. Then there are more caterpillars crunching and munching, hummingbirds darting and dipping, bees humming, a bird with wings flapping, ants lugging, snakes gliding, moles scratching and digging, beetles hurrying, frogs snapping, bunnies hopping, fireflies glowing, and bats swooping. The last lines are:

Stars bright,
moonlight...
good night,
tall, tall grass.

These last lines make it appropriate for a good-night book, but the language in general is good for children as it has a nice cadence, rhyme and rhythm.

Strum, drum,
bees hum
crack, snap
wings flap...

Four Stars. [B-]. Bright color from edge to edge. Okay read-aloud that uses more interesting, but simple, words for small fry. Suitable for a good night book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars simple rhymes and colorful illustrations, July 2, 2004

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Tall, Tall Grass (An Owlet Book) (Paperback)

Bright, attractive illustrations complement simple rhymes in large print as readers examine, from a caterpillar's point of view, the creatures that live and act in the tall, tall grass -- hummingbirds, bees, birds, ants, snakes, moles, beetles, frogs, bunnies, fireflies and bats -- as the book takes us through day and into the night.

Simple, effective and appealing to children.