Friday, September 13, 2013

When Edgar Met Cecil


When Edgar Met Cecil
by Kevin Luthardt
32 pages; ages 4-8
Peachtree Publishers, 2013

Theme: friendship, diversity, being the new kid in school/town

Opening: "Edgar had a nice life. He loved to play ball with his best pal Quincy. On the weekends, they watched scary movies. And after school, they liked to build stuff."


Then one day Edgar's parents tell him they're moving. They go far, far away from everything Edgar has known to a strange, new town. And a strange, new school. Any kid who has moved to a new school will identify with Edgar, who observes:

"The kids looked weird. They dressed funny. They listened to bizarre music. They ate strange food." Then there's that big kid in the back, who keeps staring at Edgar. The scary kid. The one who comes up to Edgar during recess and, it turns out, is just as scared of Edgar as Edgar is of him.

Why I like this Book: This is a great book about friendship and first impressions. We've all been there: the new place - do we fit in, and those kids... they are so different from me. It's about letting go of preconceived notions and, in a subtle way, diversity. And the illustrations are so fun.

Beyond the Book: If you're moving - or just moved - to a new school/town, take time to get to know your new surroundings. Take a walk through your new neighborhood (or school) and draw a map.

Visit an ethnic restaurant you've never tried. The goal: eat something you have never tried before, like fried squid or momos or... you get the idea.

If your child feels like an "outsider", this book might open up some room to talk about ways of meeting friends. If your child is a leader of the crowd, this might be an opportunity to raise awareness of kids who want to be included in the games but are too shy to ask.

Today's review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. Review copy provided by publisher.

12 comments:

  1. I'm lovin' the cover of this book. It looks "cool" enough for older picture book readers who would probably struggle even more than the little ones with these issues. Looking forward to finding this one.

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    1. the cover IS cool, isn't it! And the colors so vibrant.

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  2. The book cover is eye-catching and makes you want to pick up the book. Moving is tough on kids. The more books that parents can use that address different issues of moving, is really great! Like how this book focuses on the child feeling like an outsider -- and what better way to depict that feeling than through alien characters. Great choice.


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    1. When you move to a new place it IS almost like moving to an alien world. And the people are so... alien to what you are used to. That's one reason I like the aliens in the book.

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  3. I like their names! Just put it on hold!

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  4. This sounds like a great book, Sue, wonderful for kids who are moving, or to help kids who haven't moved understand what it might be like for new kids in their school. I love your accompanying activities, too. I will have to add this one to my library list which is getting longer... and longer... :)

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  5. Great cover! And I love your activity suggestions!

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  6. Sounds like a great book! Thanks, Sue.

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  7. Sounds like a great book. Will have to check it out.

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  8. That cover is quite fetching. And the title offers some intrigue. I sometimes get called in to help little new kids adjust to the new school setting. It's so hard for some of them. I'll have to check this book out. Thanks!

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  9. Oh how I wish I'd had this book. I moved 17 times during school years (military dad). Sounds like I need to add this to my list.

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    1. Oh yeah! this would be a great book for military family.

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