Halibut Jackson - Hardcover

LUCAS, DAVID

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0375826904 ISBN 13: 9780375826900

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2004

Synopsis

A picture book about shyness from a new and truly innovative artist

Halibut Jackson is shy. He would prefer not to be noticed at all. But he loves to make his own suits, especially suits that help
him blend into the background: He has a flowered suit for the park, a book-patterned suit for the library, and a fruit-adorned suit for the shops. But mostly he stays indoors. When Halibut's invited to a party at the palace, he's too bashful to go, until he decides to make a palace-patterned suit. "No one will even notice me!" he thinks. Except that it's a garden party . . . and everyone notices Halibut. Soon, he's the most popular guy in town, thanks to his skills with a needle and thread, and his fabulous fashion sense.

This is a winning homage to shy people everywhere. Do you know a Halibut Jackson?

About this title

Review

Quirky, sweet, and brilliantly illustrated, David Lucas' Halibut Jackson, has the makings of an instant classic. Parents and kids alike will love little Halibut with his penchant for wide brimmed hats and capes (ala Madeline) from the start--they just have to find him first.

Halibut Jackson is shy. He wants nothing more than to blend into the background--any background. In order to stay undercover, Halibut makes his own suits out of fabrics with convenient patterns: he saves the brick wall pattern for when he goes into town, the flower pattern for the park, and the book pattern for the library. So, when Queen invites Halibut to the Palace for a party, it is only natural for him to fashion an ornate and glittering suit to blend in with the Palace walls. Imagine his surprise when he realizes (too late) that it is a garden party!

Lucas balances the beautifully busy pages with simple, repetitive text complete with italics to help parents find the right tone: "Halibut Jackson was shy. Halibut Jackson didn't like to be noticed. Halibut Jackson liked to blend into the background." Parents will love Halibut Jackson for the art (each glorious spread is worthy of framing), and kids will not only identify with Halibut's shyness, but they'll be delighted to join the game of locating Halibut on each page. An artsy Where's Waldo for toddlers, Lucas' debut as author and illustrator has bright and playful watercolor illustrations that spill over the pages, encouraging kids to pore over every detail. With story and design elements reminiscent of Madeline and Curious George, Halibut Jackson promises to soon occupy happy children's bookshelves everywhere. Let's just hope that Lucas and Jackson are ready for all the attention. (Ages 4 to 9) --Daphne Durham

About the Author

David Lucas studied illustration at the Royal College of Art. This is his first book as author and illustrator.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0375826904
• ISBN 13: 9780375826900
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32