Imagine That! - Hardcover

Wilson, Janet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0773732217 ISBN 13: 9780773732216

Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000

Synopsis

On her hundredth birthday, Auntie Violet reminisces with her great grandniece, and wonders at all the changes that have taken place in her lifetime. Violet tries to imagine what she could wish for that hasn't already come true. By the time the cake and candles arrive, she has the perfect answer.

This look at one of the most amazing centuries of all time offers a wealth of information. Topics range from inventions, fashion, history, and medicine to entertainment, toys, food, and transportation. Sidebars for each decade are color coded to match pictures within the illustrations, creating a search-and-find activity for all ages.

About this title

About the Author

Janet Wilson is renowned for a particular talent for drawing children. Her realistic style and sensitivity to the nuances of facial expressions help young readers grasp subjects ranging from dealing with death, the arrival of a new baby, the tragedy of war or just wishing your new dress was a different colour. That same sensitivity shows up in her commissioned portraits in oil paints on fine Dutch portait linen. Her love of painting is also evident in her Still Life artwork.

Reviews

Grade 4-8-On the occasion of her 100th birthday, Auntie Violet reminisces about her life to her great-grandniece. The story is framed by sidebars that describe both major events and trivia from the previous century. Each double-page spread is bordered left and right with a listing of events, color coded by decade, covering such topics as sports, popular music, media, fads, inventions, civil rights, medicine, fashion, food, games, and children's literature. A collage of painted images, each tinted to match a particular decade's hue, dominates all but the last spread. A tender picture of Auntie Violet and Elizabeth is imposed on each one. The book reflects its origin by noting several Canadian accomplishments unfamiliar to American readers. While youngsters will find much to look at and savor, the book is perhaps most powerful to adults who have lived through many of these changes. It's fascinating to consider, for instance, how many of the books children loved in previous decades are still enjoyed today. A livelier but much less inclusive roundup of the century is Cheryl Harness's Ghosts of the 20th Century (S & S, 2000), which moves year by year through the century.
Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0773732217
• ISBN 13: 9780773732216
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 28