Workshop [Hardcover]

Andrew Clements (Author), David Wisniewski (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The dazzling cut-paper artistry of Caldecott medalist David Wisniewski combines with Andrew Clements's free-verse celebration of woodworking tools to tell the story of a surprise in the making. The evocative description of each workshop tool-ruler, axe, saw, hammer, and the rest-is accompanied by a vivid, dramatically composed illustration showing how it is used in the step-by-step construction of an ornate, old-fashioned carousel. An eager young apprentice assists one craftsman after another as the project takes shape and is rewarded with a toolbox of his won. Young wood-working enthusiasts will enjoy the affectionate and knowledgeable portraits of familiar tools as well as an acclaimed artist's vision of the magic simple tools can do.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Precision and poetry characterize this singular volume, which introduces the hand tools in a wood- and metal-working shop as the builders construct a carousel. Each spread presents one implement, from Ruler to Chisel to Saw, along with a haiku-like description: "Hammer is a hitter, a beater, a pounder, a nailer./ Hammer moves, whack by thump by thud./ Hammer keeps swinging." Clements (Temple Cat) distills the sentences to their essence. His active verbs ("Drill spins in") and declaratives ("Screwdriver is a partner") mimic the confident movement of a person at one with a tool. Wisniewski (Golem) supplements this steady, controlled text with fastidious cut-paper images of a boy assisting master craftsmen as they create the hand-built wooden merry-go-round. The illustrations frame the definitions in time and space: the caps, denim aprons and heavy mustaches of the men suggest first-generation immigrants of early 20th-century America. The artist's signature layers of colorful paper (some raised to cast three-D shadows, some sprinkled with a spray of sawdust or "sparks") attest to the same concentration and technical finesse celebrated by Clements's words. Balance, the center of any craft or spiritual practice, is the soul of this concise and beautifully designed book. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-The men in Wisniewski's workshop are busy creating a carousel with strong beams, decorative panels, and exquisitely carved horses. From ruler to wrench, 13 basic tools are described in short text and bright, bold cut-paper illustrations. In each large-scale, double-page spread, a young apprentice watches a different craftsman at work with saw, chisel, grinder, or knife. The eye-filling pictures are well matched with sentences that are brief but potently descriptive. In Clements's thought-provoking words, "Axe is the great divider," "Saw is a biter," "Chisel is patient," and "Drill makes room for itself." Reading Workshop can be a delightful way to talk with children about the artistry of craftsmen and builders. It identifies familiar household tools and explains their uses; it is also a celebration of creativity and inspires an appreciation of skilled workmanship.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (April 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395855799
• ISBN-13: 978-0395855799
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars great theme, beautiful illustrations, horrible text, April 26, 2008

By 

Noteli (New York NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Workshop (Hardcover)

My 2 1/2 year old loves (adores, really) this book. Each double-page spread shows both a specific tool (hammer, drill, shears, etc) and the progression of building an old-fashioned carousel. The pictures are really gorgeous, with lots of detail, and very stylized.

But the text. Oh, the text. The review calls it "poetry." Um, no. Not by a long shot. Not even close. It's quite possibly the worst attempt at personification I've ever read. It's painful to read, and neither I nor my husband can read it without cracking up. Most of the time we skip the text and just talk about the pictures.

It really is a beautiful book, so it's a shame the writing doesn't match the quality of the illustrations.