People, People Everywhere - Hardcover

Van Laan, Nancy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679810633 ISBN 13: 9780679810636

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1992

Synopsis

Describes the effects of the nation's population growth in rhymed text and illustrations

About this title

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Richard Scarry meets Virginia Burton in this exuberant primer on human diversity and the effects of urban sprawl. Through simple verse, Van Laan engages listeners in a rhythmic roll call of people found in a variety of city settings and engaged in various pursuits. Her use of words (``plumbers plumbing . . . drummers drumming'') is especially pleasing to read out loud and melodious to hear. The bouncy text's energy and motion are skillfully conveyed by Westcott's charmingly frenetic line drawings and riotously bright colors that fill the cityscapes. While the ``people everywhere'' come in all sizes and colors, her appealing characters are universally raisin-eyed, round-faced, and packed with personality. Children will enjoy examining the humorous, action-packed pictures for a rosy-cheeked boy in a red ball cap who traverses these pages, observing all. A slight storyline emerges when his family retreats to the less-populated countryside, only to be followed there by the inevitable shopping mall and ubiquitous housing developments. The denizens of the fledgling suburb are shown engaged in recycling, subtly introducing a cautionary note. Preschoolers will enjoy recognizing ``neighborhood friends'' (firefighters and police officers), while primary graders will gain an appropriately appealing and effortless introduction to civics and demographics. --Dorothy Houlihan, formerly at White Plains Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

In bouncy verse, Van Laan ( Rainbow Crow ; Possum Come a-Knockin' ) describes a bustling urban scene, with "People racing round the town, / Going up! / Going down!" These city folk dash around the park, jump rope in the street and engage in a variety of professions--"teachers teaching . . . plumbers plumbing . . . / Doctors doctoring . . . drummers drumming." Then one family packs up and moves to the country, where rolling hills surround their idyllic farm. But not for long: soon rows of identical houses and a mall appear, and there are once again "People, people, everywhere!" But the author's message is positive--these new residents are busy recycling cans, picking up trash and planting trees. And the final, uplifting spread reveals picnickers at a brand new town park. Equally adept at delineating the constant movement of the city or the (temporarily) tranquil countryside, Westcott ( Planet Was ; I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly ) packs her pictures with her trademark diverting details and dynamic colors. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0679810633
• ISBN 13: 9780679810636
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 40