If You Listen

Rating:
Summary: How can you know someone who is far away still love you?
Review: I was fascinated by the idea that Charlotte Zolotow's "If You Listen" had been originally published in 1980 with different illustrations than those provided by Stefano Vitale for 2002 edition. You do not think of a children's book as having different illustrations; I mean, "Goodnight Moon" would not be the same classic book with different illustrations. But as I never read the "original" "If You Listen" (and could not find it around town) I cannot comment on a comparison of the artists.

"If You Listen" is a sensitive story about a young girl who misses her father who is far, far away and will not be coming home soon. The young girl asks her mother how she can know if her father still loves her, and her mother tells her to listen inside herself and she will feel his love. Zolotow paints lyrical pictures with her words of simple but enduring images of what you can hear if you really listen and Vitale actualizes these images with paintings down on wood, which provide a compelling texture to the art. There is a simple elegance to "If You Listen" that will make it a memorable reading experience for young children (ages 4-8) who are separated from a parent because of circumstances beyond their control. Of course, in this age of e-mail and phone cards Zolotow's solution may now be somewhat obsolete, but there is still a simple truth behind it that remains compelling.

Rating:
Summary: How can you know someone who is far away still love you?
Review: I was fascinated by the idea that Charlotte Zolotow's "If You Listen" had been originally published in 1980 with different illustrations than those provided by Stefano Vitale for 2002 edition. You do not think of a children's book as having different illustrations; I mean, "Goodnight Moon" would not be the same classic book with different illustrations. But as I never read the "original" "If You Listen" (and could not find it around town) I cannot comment on a comparison of the artists.

"If You Listen" is a sensitive story about a young girl who misses her father who is far, far away and will not be coming home soon. The young girl asks her mother how she can know if her father still loves her, and her mother tells her to listen inside herself and she will feel his love. Zolotow paints lyrical pictures with her words of simple but enduring images of what you can hear if you really listen and Vitale actualizes these images with paintings down on wood, which provide a compelling texture to the art. There is a simple elegance to "If You Listen" that will make it a memorable reading experience for young children (ages 4-8) who are separated from a parent because of circumstances beyond their control. Of course, in this age of e-mail and phone cards Zolotow's solution may now be somewhat obsolete, but there is still a simple truth behind it that remains compelling.

Rating:
Summary: WATCH THE BIRDS
Review: IF YOU LISTEN...wow, that title get's attention. I have so much to share with/teach my child and this book's title is perfect to whisper to her and get her in the mood to LISTEN. "How do you know if someone far away is loving you?" a little girl asked her mother. Truth is, we all ask ourselves this with so many family/friends over the miles. The mother answers in a way that is very interesting and beautiful with simple, yet great descriptive writing that pulls the reader into the pictures and beyond..."You have to stop when you're lonely and listen," said her mother....If you listen hard you'll feel someone far away sending love to you." After listening to her mother's examples, the little girl sits outside under a clear blue sky. "One bird circled and circled overhead. She watched until he flew away." There is so much more I'd like to say but get this book and share it with your child and encourage them to become listeners. Listening is something that we never "graduate" from. It is a continuous learning experience and more importantly, a gift of love and respect to the speaker.
Soar!

Rating:
Summary: WATCH THE BIRDS
Review: IF YOU LISTEN...wow, that title get's attention. I have so much to share with/teach my child and this book's title is perfect to whisper to her and get her in the mood to LISTEN. "How do you know if someone far away is loving you?" a little girl asked her mother. Truth is, we all ask ourselves this with so many family/friends over the miles. The mother answers in a way that is very interesting and beautiful with simple, yet great descriptive writing that pulls the reader into the pictures and beyond..."You have to stop when you're lonely and listen," said her mother....If you listen hard you'll feel someone far away sending love to you." After listening to her mother's examples, the little girl sits outside under a clear blue sky. "One bird circled and circled overhead. She watched until he flew away." There is so much more I'd like to say but get this book and share it with your child and encourage them to become listeners. Listening is something that we never "graduate" from. It is a continuous learning experience and more importantly, a gift of love and respect to the speaker.
Soar!