The Most Perfect Spot - Hardcover

Goode, Diane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060726970 ISBN 13: 9780060726973

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006

Synopsis

Experience a picnic in the park with Mama and Jack, where nothing seems to go right, but fun is had by all – and a little dog joins the family.

With "And then, who knows why..." as the cheerful refrain, Diane Goode tells how a boy's plan to give his mother a perfect picnic in the park goes hilariously awry. Kids will spot the little dog who's the cause of the mischief on every spread, making the refrain even more fun! Without preaching, this visual adventure shows that you can be happy even when things don't go just right. And the large, animated scenes picture all the fun with an expressive, lively line and inviting color

About this title

About the Author

Diane Goode says, "In this book I wanted to capture the feeling that there's a wonderful world waiting right around the corner.” Since winning the Caldecott Honor for When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant at the start of her career, Diane Goode has written and illustrated such lovely picture books as Mama's Perfect Present and Thanksgiving is Here! Her son, Peter, to whom this book is dedicated, is now grown. The talented author-illustrator lives in Watch-ung, New Jersey, with her husband and their yellow Lab.

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 1 Jack invites his mother on a picnic, but the outing appears doomed from the start. The boy's first choice for the lunch in Prospect Park is a boat, but something frightens a flock of ducks, which in turn startles Mama and Jack, causing them both to fall in the lake. A picnic on the grass while their clothing dries turns into a disastrous affair when something spooks several horses, and they toss up mud in their haste to run away. Undaunted, the mother and son make other attempts to lunch only to face one mishap after another. When rain drives them indoors, they finally find the perfect spot for their picnic. They also discover that a small brown-and-white dog has followed them home; they take him in and name him (what else?) Spot. Suddenly, who knows why, is the story's refrain, which will guarantee audience participation. Mama and Jack remain clueless as to the cause of the day's constant disruptions while readers will clearly see that the pooch has been the source of the chaos. Watercolor illustrations depict an affable multihued cast of characters and a warm parent/child relationship while exuding a pleasant, old-fashioned flavor. A delightful tale. Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060726970
• ISBN 13: 9780060726973
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Goode Diane