Book Review: Neville

Book # 26

Book Image:

Bibliographic Citation:

Neville.

By Norton Juster. Illus. by G. Brian Karas.

2011. 32p. Random House, $17.99 (9780375867651)

Age Group:

Preschool – Gr2

Genre:

Fiction

Awards:

None listed.

Topics/Issues:

Moving, change

ELS promoted:

Print awareness, print motivation, and narrative skills.

Format:

Hardcover.

Author/Illustrator sites:

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/204555/neville-by-norton-juster#abouttheauthor/ http://www.gbriankaras.com/

Categorization Tags:

E Juster

Annotation:

When a boy and his family move to a new house, he devises an ingenious way to meet people in the neighborhood.

Reactions/Observations:

An unnamed boy moves to a new neighborhood. His mother assures him that he'll love it, but will he? Sadly, the boy takes a walk but suddenly calls out, "Neville!"  Another boy comes to find out what the commotion about. Soon enough, other children come over too to help look for Neville. They spend the afternoon looking for the mysterious Neville.  At the end of the day, the boy's mother tucks him in only to reveal where Neville's been hiding all along.

Juster does a great job reassuring children who must face moving to a new place.  Children will often worry about whether they will like their new home or whether they'll make new friends.  Neville depicts one boy's creative solution to deal with change.  The illustrations are playful and expressive.  Karas uses Neville written in different styles as part of the illustrations. I read this book in family story time.  Children enjoyed calling out to Neville with the other children.  They were surprised and delighted when they finally did find Neville. Although children of all ages enjoyed this book, it would appeal most to preschoolers.