by Sarah Stewart
Illustrated by David Small
Farrar Straus Giroux Books, 2012
Themes: moving away, fitting in
Summary “When Isabel and her family move to the United States, Isabel misses all the things she left behind in Mexico, especially her aunt Lupita and hearing people speak Spanish. But she also experiences some wonderful new things--her first snow storm and a teacher who does not speak Spanish but has a big smile. Even better, Papa and her brother Chavo help her turn a big box into her own quiet place, where she keeps her books and toys and writes letters to Aunt Lupita. As she decorates and adds more and more on to her quiet place, it is here that Isabel feels the most at home in her new country while she learns to adjust to the changes in her life.”
April 5, 1957
Dear Auntie Lupita,
Here is my first letter in English. I am going to practice my new language by writing to you. Thank you for your letter in Spanish.
Dear Auntie Lupita,
Here is my first letter in English. I am going to practice my new language by writing to you. Thank you for your letter in Spanish.
I love how Sarah Stewart shares the whole story through letters from Isabel. The illustrations by David Small add another layer of emotion through Isabel's expression and color tones.
Resources for Teachers:
Activities and Discussion Topics
Sarah Stewart reads an excerpt from The Quiet Place.
If you wish to watch the entire interview with her husband David Small, go to
Meet the Author/Illustrator Team
Resources for Teachers:
Activities and Discussion Topics
Sarah Stewart reads an excerpt from The Quiet Place.
If you wish to watch the entire interview with her husband David Small, go to
Meet the Author/Illustrator Team
Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!
I loved their collaboration on The Gardener. Will have to look for this one!
ReplyDeleteHave you read The Library? It's another PB that they collaborated on.
DeleteWhat a great collaboration between a wonderful author and illustrator. We need more diversity books and this certainly is an important one for children. Thanks for including the video trailer as it gave me an even better sense of the book. Also love their collaboration on The Gardener. Such talent!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a few minutes, the whole interview shares David's art and their lives together.
DeleteAren't they great?! I love the way Sarah is so delighted with the sound of words and excited by a good story (even though it happens to be her own.) that's why her books are so amazing. I love my copy of The Money Tree by this duo. Have you seen it?
ReplyDeleteHi, Joanne! Yes, I love how deeply Sarah feels her words and David's art. The Money Tree must be her first book. I need to buy a copy because it's not in our library system.
DeleteBoxes are the best part of moving! We kept a few big ones until they fell apart from use in imaginative play. I know kids will connect with that element.
ReplyDeleteMy younger son (now 14) has always enjoyed the magical quality of boxes.
DeleteThis narration is wonderful. I haven't read a Sarah Stewart story that I haven't loved.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I hope you watched the interview too. Sarah cares deeply about the sound of words.
DeleteVery nice choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hopping by, Julie!
DeleteA lovely choice. I'm looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI've loved this book for ages--always glad to see it noticed! They really are an amazingly talented couple, I'm proud to be a fellow Michigander! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lindsey! After watching their interview, I feel a connection to them.
DeleteThis looks like a fun book to read. What a clever idea, sharing impressions of a new place via letters.
ReplyDelete