If: A Father's Advice to His Son - Hardcover

Kipling, Rudyard

  • 4.39 out of 5 stars
    1,675 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780689877995: If: A Father's Advice to His Son
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0689877994 ISBN 13: 9780689877995
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007

Synopsis

What makes a boy into a man?

Courage.
Confidence.
Patience.
Integrity...

For more than one hundred years, this classic poems has inspired readers to reach for the best in themselves.

In pictures and words, here's what every boy needs to know most.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Charles R. Smith Jr. is an acclaimed poet and the Coretta Scott King Award–winning illustrator of My People, a picture book based on the poem by Langston Hughes. He is also the illustrator of If, the author and photographer of I Am the World, and he won the Coretta Scott King Author Honor for his book Twelve Rounds To Glory. He grew up in California and attended the Brooks Institute of Photography. A magazine and book cover photographer in addition to a picture book creator, Charles lives with his wife and kids in Poughkeepsie, New York. Visit him at CharlesRSmithJr.com.

Reviews

Grade 4–6—Kipling's powerful poem comes to life for a contemporary audience in atmospheric photographs that use the metaphor of sports. A lovely shot of a boy heading a soccer ball accompanies the opening couplet: "If you can keep your head/when all about you/are losing theirs/and blaming it on you…." The mood and actions in most of the illustrations clearly invoke the verse, although two are murky and enigmatic. Shadows and dispersed light are used artfully and, interestingly, all of the people have their backs to the camera or appear in profile; their anonymity confirms the sense of universality found in the poem. The attractive presentation includes an eye-catching cover, a blend of font sizes in alternating black or white print, and a judicious use of white space that gives the eye some rest between the many action-filled images. In a thoughtful afterword, Smith explains why he chose to interpret this particular poem. Teachers and parents will enjoy sharing this book with kids; it is a good vehicle to promote discussion.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
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Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
2007
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0689877994
ISBN 13 
9780689877995
Binding
Hardcover
Illustrator
Smith Jr. Charles R.
Number of pages
40
Rating
  • 4.39 out of 5 stars
    1,675 ratings by Goodreads