Please, Louise! - Hardcover

Wishinsky, Frieda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0888997965 ISBN 13: 9780888997968

Publisher: Groundwood Books, 2007

Synopsis

Louise is an irresistible force, determined to be as close to her brother as she possibly can. Jake tries everything he can think of to make her leave him alone, but she refuses to go away. When Jake, in desperation, wishes Louise were a dog, he is suddenly faced with a terrifying dilemma. Louise is gone and a little dog seems to have taken her place. Can his wish have come true? This evocative picture book, by renowned author Frieda Wishinsky and acclaimed illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, is ideal to read aloud and shares a witty and poignant lesson about siblings.

About this title

About the Author

Frieda Wishinsky is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, including picture books, novels and non-fiction, which have been translated into many languages. Each One Special, illustrated by Werner Zimmerman, was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award, and Please, Louise! illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. More recently, Frieda has written the novel Avis Dolphin, illustrated by Willow Dawson, and A History of Just about Everything with Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Qin Leng. Frieda grew up in Manhattan and has always loved crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. She now lives in Toronto.

Marie-Louise Gay is an internationally acclaimed author and illustrator of children’s books. She has won two Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Marie-Louise’s very popular Stella and Sam series has been translated into more than fifteen languages and is loved by children all over the world. Her recent books include Short Stories for Little Monsters and Mustafa. She lives in Montreal. marielouisegay.com

Review

...a wonderful read-aloud... (Book Examination Site of the University of Delaware 2007-10-07)

...an incisive slice-of-life tale...Snappy dialogue and whimsical watercolor, pencil and collage art capture Jake and Louise's distinct personalities as well as their very recognizable sibling relationship. (Publishers Weekly 2007-08-07)

...Wishinsky presents a common family problem with humorous, understated dialogue....Despite their free-spirited, casual air, Gay's pictures contain a lot ot detail...which helps to ground the book in everyday reality. Warm-hearted and funny, this is a very fine picture book, with a great match between illustration and text. (Quill & Quire, STARRED REVIEW 2007-09-07)

Deft pencil drawings, brightened with watercolor washes and collage elements, capture every nuance of the characters' emotions. Children will recognize themselves at both ends of the sibling affection scale, from the enthusiastically affectionate Louise to the reluctantly caring Jake in a story that unfolds with surprise and wit. Bypassing the sappiness trap, Wishinsky creates a happy ending for both characters. Terrific for reading aloud. (Booklist 2007-08-07)

Gay's creative embellishments infuse this true-to-life story with originality and whimsical humour...an effective pairing of two of Canada's award-winning children's book creators. (CM Magazine 2007-08-31)

Vignettes and spreads clearly depict this common predicament that's resolved in a satisfying manner. (School Library Journal 2007-11-01)

...the pairing of Frieda Wishinsky and Marie-Louise Gay is more than mildly perfect...In Please, Louise, Wishinsky zeroes in on the problem of siblings who want to follow you everywhere you go...It smacks of the truth, but does it in an entirely pleasing manner. Two thumbs way up. (School Library Journal Online 2008-05-08)

...both tender and true... (Globe and Mail 2007-09-08)

...Wishinsky's simple, charming text about a boy who is constantly annoyed by his little sister will appeal to any child with siblings. (North Toronto Town Crier 2007-10-07)

About this edition

• Publisher: Groundwood Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0888997965
• ISBN 13: 9780888997968
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Gay Marie-Louise