The Carpenter

by Bruna Barros

Overview

A book to read with your eyes and your heart . . .

"A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild, in The Carpenter, a wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and creative play. Brazilian illustrator Bruna Barros uses basic yet bold contrasting colors, and lines that showcase the transformation of a carpenter’s shop into a veritable ocean of wonder, giving Harold and his purple crayon a run for his money." --Foreword Reviews

This special book shares its story without a single word. Bruna Barros’ beautiful, creative illustrations will capture children’s imaginations, showing readers that even the simplest, most common objects can start a wonderful adventure. This book also offers opportunities to foster discussions and spontaneous story telling.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781423646761
Publisher:	Smith, Gibbs Publisher
Publication date:	03/07/2017
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.81(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

Editorial Reviews

"A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild, in The Carpenter, a wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and creative play. Brazilian illustrator Bruna Barros uses basic yet bold contrasting colors, and lines that showcase the transformation of a carpenter’s shop into a veritable ocean of wonder, giving Harold and his purple crayon a run for their money."

Foreword Reviews

01/01/2017
PreS-Gr 1—This book is a wonderful addition to any library. Emergent and novice readers will enjoy the tale, told solely through vibrant illustrations. The main character is a little boy who finds himself interested in the carpenter's measuring tape; this interest pulls the child away from his electronic devices and into the world of imagining with the tape. The carpenter is possibly a father figure in the child's life, and after many animals are formed from the measuring tape, the two find themselves in a boat sailing further into their imagined world. The spare and clever illustrations are rich and colorful and keep the focus on the imagined object. Even though this is a wordless book, the story line is clear and allows for readers to build their own ideas. VERDICT A quality selection to put into the hands of emergent readers to help them expand their imagination and prepare for reading.—April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

School Library Journal

★ 2016-12-07
Creativity abounds in this wordless tale of an overalls-clad adult and similarly dressed child spending time together in a wood shop. This black duo, both clad in orange overalls, operates separately in the opening pages. The child's attention is on a digital device; the adult, on the opposite side of the gutter, is drawing plans for a boat. When the folding measuring stick stretches across the divide and displays a tongue (as if it were talking), the child becomes fully present. The child studies the instrument before turning it into a house, car, elephant, and finally a whale that spouts water. Barros, a Brazilian artist, employs a limited palette; her bold images contrast pleasingly with expansive white backgrounds; there is a generous use of space in the small trim size (8.25 by 5.5 inches) that keeps the focus on the characters and what they are constructing. The warm grain of the wooden boat and the individual, textured droplets of blue water add more interest. As the water—and faux tension—rises, the adult is pulled into the spirit of play, paddling over to rescue the child, who creates a sail with the yardstick. An introductory message from the author states: "This book has no words, yet it has limitless stories to tell…." A joyful invitation to participate in invention. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews