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deservingporcupine's review against another edition
5.0
A truly lovely little story about trust and making amends. Just a few pages tell a very impactful story.
bet27's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't sure where this was going, but was intrigued from the beginning--then, pow! I'm tearing up. Excellent example of how simply you can tell a great story that will stick with you.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
Books that carry layers of meaning are often the ones that stick in our mind and invite us back. This is certainly the case with Chris Naylor-Ballesteros' 'The Suitcase' which tells the story of an unusual creature whose arrival intrigues the settlers (a fox, a bird and a rabbit(?)). With him, he brings a heavy suitcase and although he is 'dusty, tired, sad and frightened', the natives, although courteous, are more interested in its contents. When he is asleep, one them decides to break in and see what this visitor is carrying.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an honest insight into the reactions of people over the arrival of strangers. Each of the three natives (with their own associated coloured font - a nice touch) have differing reactions. The rabbit is conscientious and considerate, the bird partly on the fence and the fox who is wholly distrustful. All have their thoughts about the stranger and what they should do to find out if he is trust-worthy: a clear metaphor for many people's reactions to any foreigners.
There is a sense here too, that the crisis of the encounter lies at the foot of the newcomer and not the residents and I think this is a powerful message to share with young children. makes it clear that he does not want this story to be explicitly interpreted as one about refugees and I admire him for that. In an interview, Naylor-Ballesteros makes it clear that this is not a story about refugees, explicitly, stating that this is something that he is not qualified to write about and I admire him for this. I often feel this with other books I have read about refugees and whether their depiction (from someone safe and comfortable - is right). Instead, I think he invites young readers to be tolerant to strangers and newcomers but to also be more trusting and empathetic. A lovely message for any book to contain.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an honest insight into the reactions of people over the arrival of strangers. Each of the three natives (with their own associated coloured font - a nice touch) have differing reactions. The rabbit is conscientious and considerate, the bird partly on the fence and the fox who is wholly distrustful. All have their thoughts about the stranger and what they should do to find out if he is trust-worthy: a clear metaphor for many people's reactions to any foreigners.
There is a sense here too, that the crisis of the encounter lies at the foot of the newcomer and not the residents and I think this is a powerful message to share with young children. makes it clear that he does not want this story to be explicitly interpreted as one about refugees and I admire him for that. In an interview, Naylor-Ballesteros makes it clear that this is not a story about refugees, explicitly, stating that this is something that he is not qualified to write about and I admire him for this. I often feel this with other books I have read about refugees and whether their depiction (from someone safe and comfortable - is right). Instead, I think he invites young readers to be tolerant to strangers and newcomers but to also be more trusting and empathetic. A lovely message for any book to contain.
romem_m's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
OH. What a sweet story. I'd argue it is the story of refugees and the skepticism others feel about the stranger. There is no way that what they say is true....the others say. So they have to prove it. They refuse to believe. But then the ending....oh I got teary eyed!!!!
A story of forgiveness, acceptance, and making new friends. I encourage this one being read!
A story of forgiveness, acceptance, and making new friends. I encourage this one being read!
lagobond's review against another edition
5.0
ONE OF MY TOP 4 FAVORITE read-in-2021 BOOKS!
Awwwwwwhhhhhh!!! 20,000 stars for this book! I read, and the saddest noise escaped from my chest, and tears spilled from my eyes, and then a big awwwwwhhhhhhhh came out of nowhere. Wow, what a treasure.
Read this. Don't waste your time reading the reviews, just read the book. And then give a copy to all the kids you know.
Awwwwwwhhhhhh!!! 20,000 stars for this book! I read, and the saddest noise escaped from my chest, and tears spilled from my eyes, and then a big awwwwwhhhhhhhh came out of nowhere. Wow, what a treasure.
Read this. Don't waste your time reading the reviews, just read the book. And then give a copy to all the kids you know.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
After a long, arduous journey over mountains and across a sea, a sad odd-looking teal colored creature arrives in a new land carrying a big suitcase. He is met with suspicion and skepticism by a red bird, an orange fox and a yellow rabbit. What is in the suitcase, they want to know. The teal creature tells them there is a teacup, a table to sit at and chair to sit on while drinking tea, and a little kitchen to make the tea in a cabin on a hillside with a clear view to the sea. Of course, bird, fox, and rabbit don't trust the new creature, and while he sleeps, they decide to break open his suitcase. Inside, they find a shattered teacup and an old photograph. Meanwhile, the creature dreams about running away, hiding, climbing mountains and swimming in the sea to safety. When he wakes up, he sees what the bird, fox, and rabbit have done to his suitcase, but he also sees a mended teacup sitting on a table with chair in front of a little house. Surprised and touched, the creature turns to his new friends and tells them there is just one problem - they are going to need more teacups. What looks to be a story about animals not welcoming refugees, turns out to be one of welcome and friendship.
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
A moving story about someone who has traveled a long way to another country, and the way the people treat them when they get there and fall asleep. Good for starting conversations.
lupines's review against another edition
4.0
A book that I read having no idea what it was about, got more curious as the story developed, and was satisfied with the ending. It delivered positive approach to deal with mistakes.