A Gift for Mama - Hardcover

Lodding, Linda Ravin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385753314 ISBN 13: 9780385753319

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2014

Synopsis

A perfect gift to share any day of the year is this beautiful picture book about a boy searching for a present for his mom! 

Oskar sets out—with a single coin—to find the perfect gift for his mother. And he spots it at once: a beautiful yellow rose. But when he meets an artist, Oskar trades the rose for a paintbrush. And when he meets a conductor, he trades the paintbrush for a sheet of music. . . .

The bustling streets are full of interesting people and delightful possible presents, and Oskar trades one gift for another, and another, and another! But what he finds by the end of the day is even more precious.

Simple kindness is at the heart of this enchanting, gloriously-illustrated tale.

About this title

About the Author

LINDA RAVIN LODDING is a freelance writer and author of the children's picture book The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, illustrated by Suzanne Beaky, and the upcoming Hold That Thought, Milton!, illustrated by Ross Collins. Linda is originally from New York, but lives in Sigtuna, the oldest city in Sweden.

ALISON JAY is a graduate of the London College of Printing and is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including The Cloud Spinner, published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. Her signature style is created using alkyd paint on thick cartridge paper, with a crackle varnish, giving an aged effect.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—In this lovely, circular story set in 19th-century Vienna, Oskar searches for the perfect gift for his mother, armed with a single coin. Each time he acquires a gift, starting with a perfect yellow rose, he meets someone who convinces him to trade it for something else. Finally, the day is over, and he is back where he started. In the concluding paragraph, Lodding states that most of the people Oskar meets are important figures from Viennese history-Gustav Klimt, Felix Salten, Johann Strauss II, and Empress Sisi-and that this is Vienna's story as well as Oskar's. The narrative is well written and satisfying to read aloud. Jay's crackle-glazed paintings are as dreamily beautiful as ever, masterfully composed, and full of interesting details. Unfortunately, in this case, the soft surrealism of her landscapes works against her revelation that the story is meant to be firmly rooted in the city's history. While the text and illustrations are wonderful in their own right, it is a shame that the historical connections really only exist in the author's note. Whether or not an opportunity was lost, this is a lovely and successful book about optimism, giving, and love. Purchase without hesitation.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0385753314
• ISBN 13: 9780385753319
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Jay Alison