The title of this book turned out to surpise me in its connection to the story. The book is divided into 4 sections, each about the meaningful life memories and events of the Meadows famly comprised of Sullivan and Eva Meadows and their two boys Ray and Willie. The story seemed to be told through the actions of the youngest boy, Willie; but the story was told in third-person point of view. The 4 sections were each described as the four different seasons of the year, starting with summer when the Meadows' new dog gave birth to seven puppies. The next section was my favorite about the fall fishing trip with just Willia and his Dad sharing a special day together. I was inspired by Sullivan's use of corn, honey, peanut butter, and wheat bread mixed together for bait. It must have worked, because the story showed them catching several fish. The fishing story brought back special memories of times when I would go out in our family's 16-foot boat with my husband and two small children in the pre-dawn hours just to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the colorful sunrise. I could almost smell the musty wood smell of the rickety country store where we stopped for beef jerky and sasparilla soda on the way home. I wonder if this is the type of place where Willie and his Dad shared grilled cheese sandwiches.
The whole book warmed my heart with memories of my childhood growing up in the country. Willie and his brother were looking for ways to make home-made sleds just like my sister and I used to do when we finally wound up with flattened cardboard boxes as sleds. Willie's lid to a washing machine beats that! In the last section of the book Willie is trying to outdo his brother in finding the perfect Mother's Day gift for his mother. Willie realizes she loves watching the wild rabbits out of her kitchen window, and I imagine his face looking triumphant when his mother sees that he is planting alfalfa, carrot, radish, and lettuce seeds around her favorite cherry tree to attract the rabbits. I can see my daughter's joy and pride in Willie's spirit in this section of the book, because my daughter began making me calendars with her poems and pictures every year. What a delightful gift for a mother to receive - a thoughtful gift made from the heart. The illustrations were strategically placed throughout the story to add to the visualization of the setting and the events. The pictures were small and softly painted with just enough detail and pastel effect to make the reader feel like one is looking through a window at scenes that revive appreciation of home and its warm beauty through all seasons.
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3 comments:
Ok, I am going to have to check this book out right now! I love books that are special reminders of the good times in life that make us slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. What a creative idea for that little boy to plant a garden in front of his mother's kitchen window to attract rabbits! Have you read this to your class? This sounds like something that I could use not only as a read aloud to enjoy, but as a good response log starter like..."WHat are some special memories I have?" and to review the Science SOL that talks about the changing and cycles of the seasons.
Your post made me hungry, oddly, for beef jerky and sasparilla, which I haven't had (either) in at least 20 years.
This sounds like a neat book, with some sweet family members and memories. I like how you made so many connections to the story. I can't say that it sounds exactly like a story I want to read, but I enjoyed reading your personal comments and descriptions. I think Rylant tends to get sappy, but your review focused more on the family encounters, and it made me wistful for my youth (sledding in Minnesota)!
The Blue Hill Meadows sounds like a great book. I loved your description of Sullivan's bait and the homemade sleds. Just as those parts brought back childhood memories for you, they did as well for me. Also, I was smiling when I read about the plants Willie planted. That gift was way too sweet and thoughtful. It made me want to think creatively for my Mom's Mother's Day gift. Have you read My Mama Had Dancing Heart? The book isn't divided into 4 sections, but walks the reader through the 4 seasons, and what a mother and her daughter do during each season. When my students are writing about their favorite relative, I always use this book as a read aloud to get the kids to stretch their thinking to include activities from all seasons. I think you would really enjoy My Mama Had a Dancing Heart.
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