We Keep a Store - Hardcover

Shelby, Anne

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0531058565 ISBN 13: 9780531058565

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1990

Synopsis

A story of a proud Black family's country store, told by one of the children, captures the day-to-day work and games of the family's livelihood and love

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2 --Despite the title, the emphasis in this book is not on the specifics of keeping a family store. It is about the social life that revolves around a small country store, as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Among the advantages of keeping shop, she cites being able to eat candy out of a box, to work together as a family, and to listen to the stories the men tell when they come to visit. There are also women visitors, who help her mother string beans or cut up apples, and children to play with in the nearby fields. Although the text describes placing orders, stacking cans on the shelves, and waiting on customers, this part of the book is curiously flat. Although the oil paintings are richly colored and the African-American family and customers are realistically portrayed, the establishment is shown primarily as one perfectly clean counter backed by a series of semi-empty shelves. There is no sense of the clutter, bustle, and just plain hard work associated with a country store. In keeping with the child's point of view, everyone seems to have plenty of time to visit, whittle, and play, and much of the action happens outdoors. This attractive book is a gentle and nostalgic, but not entirely convincing, portrait of country storekeeping. --Eleanor K. MacDonald, Beverly Hills Pub . Lib .
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

In a small rural town, a black family keeps a general store. "My mother figures out what to order from the big grocery company," says the bright-eyed girl who narrates the text. Her father opens boxes, she stacks cans on shelves and all three wait on customers who come not only to buy things but to visit: the men whittle cedar, the women peel apples, the children play games. Although not presented in typical storybook fashion--the characters are not developed, nor is there a plot--the warmth and steadfastness of the country folk are richly defined by Ward's sunlit acrylic paintings. Like Peter Catalanotto's artwork in Cynthia Rylant's Soda Jerk , Ward's illustrations are static; they focus on the lined faces, skillful hands and loving relationships fostered by the community portrayed. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orchard Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0531058565
• ISBN 13: 9780531058565
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ward John