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nerfherder86's review
5.0
A wonderful picture book story of Charles Dickens' childhood, working hard all day in a shoe polish factory while his father (and with him, Dickens' mother and siblings) stayed in debtor's prison, and how that in particular and his poverty in general shaped what he wrote as an adult. And why he championed the poor. Fictionalized, with dialogue (amusing scene in factory where he's asked to tell a story to a coworker kid, and then yelled at by the foreman). It gives an excellent introduction to 19th century London and its conditions for the poor, in a picture book format, in simple text for children of today. Nice pen and ink and acrylic illustrations, kind of cartoony but also reminiscent of 19th century illustrations--a mix of caricature and realism that just works well, lots of blacks and grays and warm tones. No sources or references, not a full biography, but a well-written story that draws readers in, in oral storytelling style, using phrases like "Come along, now" and "That mystery must wait for morning" etc. Really cool book.
melissarochelle's review
3.0
A fictionalized account of Charles Dickens' childhood. A good story about opportunity, dreams, and never giving up.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
The illustrations by John Hendrix were the start of this book. Hendrix' art embodies the era of Dickensian England, that portrayed in Dicken's own novels. From the people, both living and ghost, to the streets and the jail, everything about Hendrix' art is a visual delight.
Hopkinson's narrative also does not indulge in too many obvious references to Dickens' various works as would have been quite easy to do. Instead, Hopkinson uses Dickens' own brief and somewhat vague autobiographical descriptions of this time in his life to create a story that Dickens himself just may have created.
Hopkinson's narrative also does not indulge in too many obvious references to Dickens' various works as would have been quite easy to do. Instead, Hopkinson uses Dickens' own brief and somewhat vague autobiographical descriptions of this time in his life to create a story that Dickens himself just may have created.
mmattmiller's review against another edition
2.0
As an adult who enjoys some Dickens stories, I enjoyed learning about young Dickens. I also loved the message on the last page. Do I think kids would enjoy it? Honestly? Not sure. Illustrations are kind of dark and some are a bit busy. Not knowing who Charles Dickens is, I'm not sure they'd care about this young boy that seems so far away (in time and location) from them. I'm not sure who the target audience of this one is. Not one I would buy or teach with, but I'm glad I read it and learned a bit about Dickens.
thepeachmartini's review against another edition
3.0
I think I am in the minority in that I actually liked the illustrations as they were - gritty, hard backdrops of buildings and marketplaces combined with the cartoonish features of the characters.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't really a true biography nor is it truly historical fiction. It really is a fictionalized account of Charles Dicken's childhood. Beautifully illustrated and reads well.
tashrow's review against another edition
5.0
Enter the world of Charles Dickens’ childhood in this picture book. The fog and cold of London will enfold you, along with the smoking chimneys and the dankness of the Thames. Twelve-year-old Dickens worked in Warren’s blacking factory, wrapping bottles of blacking for sale. He entertained the boy next to him with his stories when they could get away with it. Dickens worked ten hour days and when work is finally completed, he headed home to his tiny attic room where he lived alone. His family was in the debtors’ prison with only Dickens bringing in any money at all. When his father and family is released from prison, Dickens’ life changes and he is finally allowed to go to school. This book celebrates the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth in a way that will resonate with children.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
satyridae's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet enough, and fun... but I didn't much like the illustrations. That seems to be my picture book review theme lately- but I just don't like illustrations that are cartoony. And though the buildings here are quite atmospheric and interesting, the people are cartoony and goofy and silly and don't add to my enjoyment of the story. The story is interesting enough, with fun little quotes worked into the narrative. But the illustrations stopped me cold.
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