The Big Fib (I Like to Read) - Softcover

Hamilton, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0823433129 ISBN 13: 9780823433124

Publisher: Holiday House, 2015

Synopsis

Wow! A boy finds some humongous boxes outside. He and his dog use them to make a train that goes far, far, far; a race car that goes fast, fast, fast; and a plane that goes up, up, up. Litter is everywhere, and the boy blames the wind. But as he watches his elderly neighbor clean up his mess, the boy knows what he must do. Truth triumphs and the boy's honesty is rewarded with forgiveness, friendship, and cookies. An I Like to Read(R) book. Guided Reading Level E.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Hamilton adapted and illustrated the graphic novel of Fahrenheit 451 to great acclaim, including high praise from Ray Bradbury. This is Tim Hamilton's first picture book.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—This story tells of a child in a true-to-life situation that leads to a useful lesson. A boy and his dog have a fine day playing with a pile of boxes discarded by a neighbor. "Then we played a train game. We went far, far, far." The boxes next become a race car and then a jet. Finally there's a mess. When Miss Finn, the neighbor, comes out and asks, "Who made this mess?" the nameless narrator tells a fib. "'The wind,' I said." And soon, "My big fib got bigger. 'It was a big wind,' I said." The reader doesn't know if Miss Finn believes the fib, but she does start picking up the boxes. Events unfold with a simplicity and economy that's appropriate for the narrator and the intended audience. Hamilton's comic drawings are suitably spare, too, and add a bit of kooky flavor to the unembellished narrative. Large heads of the three characters deftly convey feelings, and bits of costume are added when games are occurring. Miss Finn's slow work in picking up the boxes prompts the youngster's simple confession. As he helps with the cleanup, he finds that telling the truth brings happy results. Miss Finn's displeasure is quickly resolved, and over milk and cookies, she initiates a final game. "I am queen. You are my knights. And we are friends." The narrator presents a flower to his hostess and says, "You don't have to play that we are friends. That is real." The brief account is sure to evoke smiles and recognition from readers and could prompt class discussion.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0823433129
• ISBN 13: 9780823433124
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 24