Shh! We Have a Plan

by Chris Haughton, Chris Haughton (Illustrator)

Overview

From the creator of Little Owl Lost and Oh No, George! comes a funny, strikingly illustrated story of best-laid plans — and the secret to attracting the birdie.

Four friends creep through the woods, and what do they spot? An exquisite bird high in a tree! “Hello birdie,” waves one. “Shh! We have a plan,” hush the others. They stealthily make their advance, nets in the air. Ready one, ready two, ready three, and go! But as one comically foiled plan follows another, it soon becomes clear that their quiet, observant companion, hand outstretched, has a far better idea. Award-winning author-illustrator Chris Haughton is back with another simple, satisfying story whose visual humor plays out in boldly graphic, vibrantly colorful illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536245714
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/30/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Chris Haughton is the creator of Little Owl Lost and Oh No, George! He has taught many courses in design and illustration around the world. In 2007, he was named one of Time Magazine's DESIGN 100 for his work for Fair Trade and People Tree, and in 2011 he was named one of Booktrust’s Best New Illustrators. Originally from Dublin, Chris Haughton now lives in London.

I’m an illustrator and designer from Ireland. I’ve illustrated for the Guardian, the Independent and Pomme D’api as well as done illustrations and design work for international advertising campaigns. During my travels in Asia I became interested in fair trade, and when I moved to London I became involved in the Fair Trade movement and with People Tree. In 2007 I was named by Time magazine in their “DESIGN 100” list for this fair trade work, a list that also included some of the world’s most influential designers and architects. Little Owl Lost was my first picture book


I have been a full-time illustrator for the past seven years. I have been working mainly for magazines and in advertising but I always wanted to write and illustrate my own children’s book.

Although the plot of Little Owl Lost changed a few times, there were a few things that I was sure I wanted to keep in the story somehow:

1. I wanted to do a fun and light book that was theatrical and very visual. In Europe we have plays for children called pantomimes where there is some visual humor. The “here is your mother!” “Are you sure this is not your mother?” dialogue is something that can engage the children. At each character meeting hopefully the child will engage and join in and say “No, no, that’s not his mother’.

2. Also in pantomimes, often the actor is standing behind the set out of view of another actor but the children can see him and will call out. That is why I wanted to have the mother in all of the pages but hidden from first view. That was very important to me, so it can be read and re-read, as there is something more to the first viewing that the children can pick up on.

3. I wanted it to be repetitive, so that young children can join easily with the story.

4. I wanted it to be comprehensible without words. Even very young children can follow in some way with the images.

5. I wanted to have some sort of visual symbolism in the book. Although the story is quite lighthearted, I like the idea and imagery of a little animal being lost in a forest. It is a strong image, and it can be applied to abstract notions of “being lost.” That is why I wanted to add the Robinson Crusoe quote. I like the idea of being “lost.” It can have more abstract meanings so everyone can relate to it.


Three Things You Might Not Know About Me:

1. Little Owl Lost actually first came out in Korean. So although I had written it, I couldn’t read it. I just looked at the pictures.

2. My editor tells me I’m like the squirrel in the story. I get a bit ahead of myself. I want to get finished with writing the story as soon as I can so that I can get to drawing the pictures. Then I have to re-draw the pictures because I hadn’t thought the story through. I should listen to her more often.

3. “Coloring in” is easy if you do it on the computer.

Editorial Reviews

08/04/2014
Three hunters with nets trudge through a deep forest of violets and blues, their wide eyes unblinking in the gloom. They’re comically small and troll-like, and they’re trailed by a fourth companion who’s even stumpier. The hunters spot an exquisite scarlet bird. “Hello, birdie,” says the smallest hunter, prompting hushes from his companions, who tell him, “We have a plan.” The three hunters tiptoe forward, nets ready, but fall over each other like the Keystone Kops when they pounce. The bird sails off, undisturbed, and the pattern of greeting, hushing, and pouncing repeats with equally slapstick results. Big, blocky shapes and intense hues make the action simple to follow, and Haughton’s (Oh No, George!) text is similarly telegraphic. Eventually, the bird flies toward the littlest hunter after being offered a bit of bread, a flock of phantasmagorically colored birds gathers, and the hunters get their comeuppance. The delicious stupidity of the hunting trio, the purity of heart of their small companion, and the sweet-tempered drama of each page turn make this a classic exercise in picture-book making. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

In a gorgeous nocturnal landscape of deep purples and blues, four figures go marching along. ... They tiptoe towards the bird with hilariously expressive body language... In a breathtakingly rich spread, a flock of colorful, jewel-toned birds appear and drive the schemers into retreat. ... A masterful delight, this crafty caper has huge kid appeal and a title/refrain that will easily sneak into the family lexicon: shh! We have a plan. This perfect blend of circular narrative, deceptively spare art, and humor becomes a story that kids will want to read at storytime, at home, and to themselves if no adult is handy.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

There’s a bouncy staccato music in the carefully structured text, and listeners will quickly anticipate the patterns and helpfully join in on the repetitions as they root for the little guy who knows better than the big fools. Haugen’s art is original yet easily legible... The temptation to act this out will be almost irresistible, so channel the impulse into an organized (or even semi-organized) performance.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

With cover art recalling Ungerer’s The Three Robbers and the wry sensibility of Klassen’s Hat books, this is a natural choice for any storytime. A spare, humorous text pairs with blocky, digital illustrations to tell the story... Plan on repeated readings.
—Horn Book (starred review)

Big, blocky shapes and intense hues make the action simple to follow, and Haughton’s text is similarly telegraphic. ... The delicious stupidity of the hunting trio, the purity of heart of their small companion, and the sweet-tempered drama of each page turn make this a classic exercise in picture-book making.
—Publishers Weekly

Haughton’s stylish digital illustrations in chunky patches of color make masterful use of hue and contrast—the jazzy warm-toned birds are vibrant when set against the crepuscular blues of the friends and the woods. With only a few words total, a repeated refrain, and a visually unmistakable plot, this is a great choice for emergent readers or a group storytime.
—Booklist Online

A peace-waging parable, presented with wry minimalism à la Jon Klassen or Tomi Ungerer. ... Haughton uses a palette of deep blues and purples for his simple forest scenes; this causes the hunters' googly eyes to stand out comically and also makes the fuchsia, red and orange birds easy to spot and follow. Last seen creeping up on a squirrel, the hunters have plainly learned nothing from their experience…but young readers might. Sure to "net" young audiences, who will definitely root for the birds.
—Kirkus Reviews

It’s one of the best picture books of the year.
—Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes

This slapstick adventure (rendered in brilliantly saturated colors) demonstrates that if the best laid plans often go awry, then poorly laid plans don't stand a chance.
—Huffington Post

Many young readers will enjoy the story for its humorous elements while others will nod gently, recognizing its life lessons about the impact of force versus gentleness. The repetitive use of cautionary "Shh"s hissed at the youngster as the gang tries to execute its plans and the moody digital illustrations are bound to make readers feel as though they are moving stealthily through the night.
—Reading Today Online

Chris Haughton tells a simple story with illustrations that are reminiscent of Eric Carle.... With few words on each page and a repetitive pattern, young readers will delight in this engaging story.
—Library Media Connection

Delightfully vibrant.
—BuzzFeed

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2014
PreS-Gr 2—In a gorgeous nocturnal landscape of deep purples and blues, four figures go marching along. The three big ones are holding nets, and the little one trails slightly behind. Suddenly, they spy a bright pink bird in the tree. "Hello, birdie," calls the little one. "Shh," reprimands the first one. "SHH!" hisses the next. "We have a plan," explains the third, holding up a birdcage. They tiptoe towards the bird with hilariously expressive body language until, "ready one…ready two…ready three…GO!" But the bird easily evades them, and the three end up in a tangle while the little one looks on. The scenario and "shhs" repeat, and finally, while the big ones are literally down the creek without a paddle, the little one makes friends. In a breathtakingly rich spread, a flock of colorful, jewel-toned birds appear and drive the schemers into retreat. Echoing the opening, the big ones quick-step along under the moonlit sky, nervously glancing behind them and dragging the little one along. The story seems over, but they haven't quite learned their lesson yet. A masterful delight, this crafty caper has huge kid appeal and a title/refrain that will easily sneak into the family lexicon: shh! We have a plan. This perfect blend of circular narrative, deceptively spare art, and humor becomes a story that kids will want to read at storytime, at home, and to themselves if no adult is handy. Plan to make this title a first purchase.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

School Library Journal

2014-07-16
A peace-waging parable, presented with wry minimalism à la Jon Klassen or Tomi Ungerer. Carrying nets, three hunters creep up on a sleeping bird in a dark forest, but thanks to their own clumsiness, they repeatedly manage to get in one another's way as the bird slips off. Meanwhile, despite their frantic shushing, a smaller, fourth figure waves and calls out "hello birdie," offering bread. Soon, an entire flock has gathered around number four's feet—a flock that proceeds to turn and chase the hunters away. The text runs to just a few words per page, but it neatly serves to crank up the suspense: "ready one / ready two / ready three… // GO!" Haughton (Oh No, George!, 2012) uses a palette of deep blues and purples for his simple forest scenes; this causes the hunters' googly eyes to stand out comically and also makes the fuchsia, red and orange birds easy to spot and follow. Last seen creeping up on a squirrel, the hunters have plainly learned nothing from their experience…but young readers might. Sure to "net" young audiences, who will definitely root for the birds. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews