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mnstucki's review
5.0
Another FANTASTIC picture book biography! I knew hardly anything about Charlie Chaplin, and this book did a great job giving an overview of his life. The illustrations were perfect—bold and bright and a little quirky on occasion .
aengh's review
5.0
I heard a lot of hype about this book prior to reading it and was prepared to be disappointed, but instead, I was amazed. The art was beautiful. The text was lovely. I learned something new. That art was truly something amazing. Totally worth reading.
allmadhere106's review
3.0
This is a cute introduction to Chaplin's life and his contribution to film. As someone who doesn't really know anything about Chaplin besides the few films of his that I've seen, I can't speak to how accurate the book is. However, it was entertaining--though a bit choppy at times--and the illustrations were unique/vibrant. I enjoyed the points in the back with fun facts and notes for future investigation just as much as the main text. I wish it was a little more in-depth, especially considering it's for a juvenile audience. The storyline would go over younger readers' heads but readers of many ages can enjoy the illustrations and the rags-to-riches story.
For: fans of Chaplin or readers looking for a quick biography for initial investigation.
Possible red flags: discussions of characters starving/living in poverty; some readers may find too choppy or not as informative as they would like.
For: fans of Chaplin or readers looking for a quick biography for initial investigation.
Possible red flags: discussions of characters starving/living in poverty; some readers may find too choppy or not as informative as they would like.
jennifermreads's review
5.0
Older picture book readers will love the introduction to a magical man who became a cinematic icon. Those reading the story aloud will delight in some of the pages formatted like a frame of text from a silent film. The illustrations are fantastic. And the Little Tramp in the lower corner of each page will dance toward you if you flip the pages fast enough!
For me personally, the book provided just enough information to get me interested in learning more. Luckily the book provides an afterward with facts of Charlie Chaplin’s life – and, when that proved to still not be enough, there is list of resources and selected books & movies.
For me personally, the book provided just enough information to get me interested in learning more. Luckily the book provides an afterward with facts of Charlie Chaplin’s life – and, when that proved to still not be enough, there is list of resources and selected books & movies.
libraryrobin's review
2.0
Enjoyed the text but not the illustrations. So much of Chaplin's personality was visual and the art in this book did not represent that well.
nerfherder86's review
5.0
Absolutely gorgeous collage and ink illustrations (some of Young's best work, in my opinion) tell the story of Charlie Chaplin's childhood in London. He and his mother and brother lived hand to mouth, were in a workhouse at one point, until they could find work. Charlie always had an affinity for performing, and already at 9 years old he was on stage! As a young man, he traveled to America with a production and was discovered by Mack Sennett, of Keystone Cops fame, which led to his career as screenwriter, director, producer, actor, composer, and so forth. I loved the writing of this book, very nice. "Charlie began to understand/ how funny and sad went hand in hand." and later, "Laughter and tears were brothers too." I also liked that the author included sources for all of the quotations used in the book.
I received a hardback copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
I received a hardback copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
backonthealex's review
4.0
Charlie Chaplin is such an iconic comedian of silent films, but kids today probably don't really know who he is. Which is why I was happy to see this picture book biography, introducing him to another generation. Charlie's career began on the streets of London, where he performed to earn a few pennies for food. At one point, he, his mum, and older brother Sydney landed in the poorhouse when she became sick, but they also worked and got themselves out of it. Charlie went back to entertaining, even joining a traveling theater troupe at age 9, where he quickly learned how to make people laugh. He also learned that everyone has a story, and how funny and sad, laughter and tears all go together. And these are the ideas he brought with him to America and Hollywood, were his character the Little Tramp was born in a prop room full of old dust clothes. This is a very kid friendly biography, written in clear, precise, accessible language, and accompanied by Ed Young's wonderfully striking collage and ink illustrations created using a variety of techniques. As you read, you'll notice a little silhouette of the Little Tramp on some of the pages at the bottom right hand corner. Flip the pages to see it walk Chaplin's characteristic Little Tramp walk. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in performing arts history, and/or Charlie Chaplin's life. Back matter includes an Afterword by the author, a list of Facts About Charlie Chaplin, and a list of Resources and Selected Books and Movies.
calistareads's review
3.0
I did not think the artwork of this book helped to tell the story. It’s a hodge-podge of watermarks or colors or shapes and I don’t think it added to the story. For me it detracted from the story and I almost gave this 2 stars because of the artwork. I mean I really don’t like it. We are trying to make sense of this famous actor and his past and the artwork helps to throw it into a faded memory of is it real or not?
The facts about Charlie Chaplin were good. I loved the Robert Downey Jr. movie of this. It’s an incredible bit of acting there. Charlie had a rough childhood for sure. He figured out early on what his talents were making grown-ups laugh.
The thing I like most about this is that the author highlights the fact that Charlie figured out that humor often could make you want to laugh and cry. The sad can be funny and that’s what made him famous. He found humor in the sad parts of life.
I wasn’t alone about this story. Nephew hated this story. He didn’t know Charlie Chaplin and this book made him not care one bit. My child was not drawn into this story and as a matter of fact, it was the artwork that kept him from getting in the story. It’s a shame. He gave this 1 star and I had to read him some Captain underpants to make up for how much he didn’t like the story.
The facts about Charlie Chaplin were good. I loved the Robert Downey Jr. movie of this. It’s an incredible bit of acting there. Charlie had a rough childhood for sure. He figured out early on what his talents were making grown-ups laugh.
The thing I like most about this is that the author highlights the fact that Charlie figured out that humor often could make you want to laugh and cry. The sad can be funny and that’s what made him famous. He found humor in the sad parts of life.
I wasn’t alone about this story. Nephew hated this story. He didn’t know Charlie Chaplin and this book made him not care one bit. My child was not drawn into this story and as a matter of fact, it was the artwork that kept him from getting in the story. It’s a shame. He gave this 1 star and I had to read him some Captain underpants to make up for how much he didn’t like the story.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Interesting peek at Chaplin’s childhood and beginnings of his most famous character.
aprilo23's review
3.0
This was cute, but I don't think it did much to make Chaplin more accessible to kids. A lot of details seemed geared toward adults who are already silent movie / Chaplin fans.