From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–Growing up above his hardworking family's tailor shop in Buffalo, NY, young Tad is surrounded by loving Polish relatives. On a busy Saturday after work and a lunch of
golumki, fried mushrooms, and homemade bread, Grandma reminds the boy it's time for his nap, but Tad declares he is too old for one. Aunt Hattie suggests that they take a rest in his room and enjoy their favorite game–the travel game. To play, the pair needs a globe and the book
1001 Pictures from Around the World. As they spin the globe, Tad's finger lands near Hong Kong. Aunt and nephew read about their imaginary destination and set off on a wild adventure involving a seven-story white pagoda, water taxis, and tigers. The ending–Aunt Hattie napping on Tad's bed while he helps his family in the shop below–will probably come as no surprise to children. Alley's cheery and busy street, home, and shop scenes in ink, watercolor, and acrylic are filled with the sorts of details that are fully appreciated over multiple readings. Children will be charmed by the warmth and humor of Grandits's wonderful tribute to family memories and the power of imagination.
–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“From his apartment above a mid-20th-century Buffalo, N.Y., tailor shop, young Tad describes his important role in his extended Polish-American family. After lunch, he wants to go back to the shop but allows himself to be lured to his room for his nap under the pretext of playing the travel game with his favorite aunt, Hattie. Each time he falls fast asleep, but today he’s determined not to succumb. One globe and a reference book are all they need. They spin the globe, shut their eyes and land near Hong Kong. Aunt and nephew refer to the book and her embellished descriptions to learn about the unfamiliar destination. It is Aunt Hattie who falls asleep this time, though, and when Tad returns to his work downstairs he tells his family that Aunt Hattie is ‘in Hong Kong taking a nap for me.’ Alley’s luscious illustrations (in ink, watercolor and acrylic) convey with originality and charm the comfortable routine. Double-row stitching cleverly frames the interior scenes of the family’s tailor shop. A warm celebration of family and imagination.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Alley’s cheery and busy street, home, and shop scenes in ink, watercolor, and acrylic are filled with the sorts of details that are fully appreciated over multiple readings. Children will be charmed by the warmth and humor of Grandits’s wonderful tribute to family memories and the power of imagination.”—School Library Journal
