Book Title: All Alone
Author & Illustrator/Artist: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Copyright Date: 1981
Genre: Picturebook: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Brief Annotation: When you hear the word “alone” what does it make you think? How does it make you feel? Being alone invites opportunities to see our world and ourselves differently. Sometimes being alone isn’t so bad at all; sometimes being alone can be quite the opposite.
Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – My first time reading through All Alone it look me a few pages to really get a feel for this book. Then came the page that reads, “When I’m alone, I can change my size any way I like. I can be tall enough to taste the sky” – that’s when I felt that connection happen. And once you make that connection, the book’s tone, artwork and message make sense. This book benefits from more than one reading. I think the idea of being alone often brings up negative judgments (whether consciously or not) towards ourselves and others. Henkes reminds us, ever so subtly with his words and paintings, that being alone can open up many possibilities.
Readers who will like this book: Young children who are perhaps on the outside of the inner circle of other kids and/or prefer to be alone, will connect with this book – it might put words to what they enjoy about spending time alone. And it might help other (‘inner circle’) kids recognize that it’s ok to spend time alone.
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: When you see someone who is playing alone what do you think? Do you ever like to play alone? Why? Why not?
Interest Level (age): 3-7
List awards: Caldecott Medal, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book, School Library Journal Best Book, New York Time Best Illustrated Book, New York Public Library’s “One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing”
Krysten, I really like your description of this book and your account of when you felt connected to the text. That is so important for both children and adults: when we feel connected we are much more likely to enjoy the book and absorb its message. The message of All Alone (underlined) is intriguing; I too think that often we are taught to view solitude as a negative experience when it can really be quite refreshing and "open up many possibilities." The questions you posed are also very appropriate-- I think all kids would have an elaborate and personal response to them. I will definitely check this book out!
ReplyDelete