Family Reunion - Hardcover

Singer, Marilyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0027828832 ISBN 13: 9780027828832

Publisher: Atheneum, 1994

Synopsis

A whimsical look at a family reunion presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of the colorful characters who make the gathering an ever-changing, entertaining experience--from fastidious Aunt Alicia to bug-lover young Max, to fun-loving Uncle Steve.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

In a series of jaunty poems, Singer (Turtle in July) sets forth the idiosyncrasies and cheerful activities that characterize the large family reunion held in Small Park. Like the musicians in Aunt Dena's "family band," the child narrator's relatives are "perfectly out-of-tune/ and perfectly in harmony." The book has no conventional plot, but the escapades of various aunts and uncles and cousins form discrete poem-chapters that will sustain the interest of even the youngest readers. While "patrolling the pond" in faded blue pedal boats, for example, the children mourn what they think is a dead beaver-until Uncle Bill fishes it out, a waterlogged wig. Quarrelsome Cousin George gets his comeuppance when Max drops a bug down his back. Although the verses are filled with apt images and telling details, they are more like prose sentences, with line breaks and indentations in place of the usual commas and periods: "Chucka chucka ding/ goes Peter/ running his teeth up and down the cob/ like an old-fashioned typewriter carriage/ flying across the page." Alley's (Mrs. Toggle's Zipper) lively illustrations combine the pleasing, cartoony figures and action of Lynn Munsinger with the busyness of Richard Scarry, lending a complex visual counterpart to the extended family's exploits. Readers will agree that this reunion stars "quite a family!" All ages.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Read in sequence, this collection of 14 free-verse poems tells the story of a great day at a family reunion. Read alone, each selection stands on its own. Outrageous, silly fun is the theme; and this gathering is full of gregarious, entertaining types. Singer's writing- filled with visual imagery-introduces young people to poetry in an unconventional style. In "Slow-Motion Sprint," Uncle Steve, long-bearded and round-bellied, proclaims that the slowest runner will win the race so Cousin Jeff won't win yet another contest. Other highlights include "Aunt Alicia," a character sketch of the only family member who comes to the park each year in a silk dress and sips papaya juice from a silver thermos. Alley's watercolor and pen illustrations help to reinforce the free-spirited mood of the day. Children frolic, grownups laugh, everyone smiles. Details are meticulous, right down to the way the twins eat corn on the cob. Family love and humor make this book a winner to share with children. A delightful romp!-Lynn Cockett, Nutley Public Library, NJ
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0027828832
• ISBN 13: 9780027828832
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Alley R.W.