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williamstandish's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
graypeape's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh, this is such a lovely book! A family is excited to meet the foreign exchange student that's coming to stay with them, but once they meet Eric, they find he's not what they were expecting. He chooses to sleep in the pantry rather than the guest room they fixed up especially for him, he doesn't speak much, and seems to be mostly interested in small things he finds on the ground, leaving the family puzzled, chalking up his odd behavior to cultural differences. When Eric leaves abruptly, they wonder if they've done something wrong- then they find the gift Eric left, still with them years later. A sweet story of the impact people can have on each other's lives, even after time has passed. And the art! So very lovely, in soft sepia/gray tones that really highlight the warm ending. Gorgeous.
ellalouise99's review
4.0
A foreign exchange student comes to stay with a family, they offer him the spare room but he wants to stay in the kitchen. Everything he does is suggested by mum to be a 'cultural thing'. When he leaves he has planted lots of flowers in their cupboards.
The story is told through both pictures and texts that complement each other but take it in turns to be the focus and main storyteller.
Lots of opportunities for discussions about how the character may be feeling and why he may be acting the way he does. Links to inclusion, feeling different and being treated as different. A nice picture book to explore in both KS1 and KS2.
The story is told through both pictures and texts that complement each other but take it in turns to be the focus and main storyteller.
Lots of opportunities for discussions about how the character may be feeling and why he may be acting the way he does. Links to inclusion, feeling different and being treated as different. A nice picture book to explore in both KS1 and KS2.
maggie_stiefvater's review
5.0
Technically this little volume is part of Tales of Outer Suburbia, if memory serves, but if you can find it in this little hardback version, it is very agreeable. It works on so many levels — I read it to my kids, who are 8 & 9, and we giggle and talk about metaphor.
adler's review
Eric was very curious and always had plenty of questions
However, They weren't the kind I'd been expecting.
Most of the time I could only say:
I'm not really sure, or,
That's just how it is.
Eric seemed more interested in small things
he discovered on the ground.
However, They weren't the kind I'd been expecting.
Most of the time I could only say:
I'm not really sure, or,
That's just how it is.
Eric seemed more interested in small things
he discovered on the ground.
m0rganh's review
4.0
I feel like this could/should be an award-winning animated short. Peculiar and sweet and very Shaun Tan.
cherie_mishu's review against another edition
5.0
I looked through this during my foundation course and I loved seeing Eric! Honestly such a cute book!!