The Sign Painter's Dream

Roth, Roger

ISBN 10: 0517589214 / ISBN 13: 9780517589212

Published by Knopf Books, 1993

About this Item

1st ed, 1st prt. SIGNED/INSCRIBED BY ARTIST ON FLYLEAF. Hard back, illustrated covers, no DJ as issued (library binding, not x-lib). Wonderful read-aloud. A spunky old woman's request and a rather unusual dream (about George Washington) convince Crabby Clarence the sign painter to make the most glorious and magnificent sign of his career and then give it away!

Seller Inventory # 027152

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Sign Painter's Dream
• Publisher: Knopf Books
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0517589214
• ISBN 13: 9780517589212
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Roth, Roger
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: As New
• Signed: Signed by Illustrator(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • PHIL- CHALMERS LIST

About this title

Synopsis

Clarence, a grumbling old sign painter, complains about everything, including his job, until George Washington visits him in a dream and inspires him to paint a beautiful sign for charity.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Clarence the sign maker is crabby, and the only time he smiles is when he goes home at the end of the day to read his history books. When a woman appears in his shop and asks for a free sign to tell people that she has " 'free apples if you need 'em,' " he refuses. That night, in a dream, he is a sign painter in Revolutionary America, and his hero, George Washington, makes a similar request (only this time, the sign is to say " 'SEND SHOES TO VALLEY FORGE!' "). In a quick turnaround, Clarence becomes the generous hero, makes a grand and glorious sign for the apple lady, and basically lives happily ever after. Historical fantasy and contemporary dilemmas are cleverly interwoven, and the plot is moved forward by snappy 1990s dialogue. Best of all are the lively characters portrayed in the watercolors. "Crabby Clarence" is undoubtedly cranky, as revealed by the glint in his eye, the set of his mouth, and every angle of his body. Pages are full of humorous detail: in Clarence's dream, he's laboring over a sign for "Ye Olde Bologna," and even the pets are empathetic. Double-paged spreads emphasize the scale of the sign-painter's work. Here's a book that strikes the theme of generosity and does it with irresistible good humor. Great for read-alouds and independent reading. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.