"[A] joyful, sun-soaked picture book which celebrates a father-daughter day in the park.
Booklist, starred review

 

Art © Hiroe Nakata 2005

To learn more, scroll down or jump to these links:

About writing UP!
UP! An Activity Guide for Toddlers and Preschoolers
(Downloadable .pdf file)
Reviews
Ordering information


Art © Hiroe Nakata 2005

About writing . . . 
                                  
UP!

 

Up! This single word seems a perfect way to describe young children. They experience the world from a variety of unusual perspectives; I don't think they're bound by the same rules of gravity as we adults. However, even though I'm getting old and creaky, I haven't forgotten the irresistible joy of "Up!" and hoped to recapture that feeling. And, to write UP!I found I had to revisit some of my childhood joys: swinging, walking on walls, jumping on a trampoline, even jumping on the bed. (I avoided a pogo stick!)

 

Writing UP! was uplifting. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) I adore Hiroe Nakata's magical art. Look for the whimsical surprises she's hidden on almost every page!
 



Trinity, age four, our very first reader!

Up, up, and away!

Kristine

 


Art © Hiroe Nakata 2005

UP! 
 


CCBC Choices 2006
Great Books for Kids:
Cuyahoga County Public Library

Reviews


Starred review, Booklist
 "[A] joyful, sun-soaked picture book which celebrates a father-daughter day in the park. In minimal, rhyming words that bounce with an irresistible beat...George conveys a vivid sense of a toddler's eye-view
from the "flying feeling" ... to the thrill of swinging high. Nakata's airy, spirited watercolors beautifully expand on the words' carefree physical elation with skewed angles, glorious fruit-juice colors, and leaping, tumbling toys and figures. Children will easily recognize the toddler's irrepressible energy, and they will feel the girl's gleeful empowerment when she flies high, as well as her deep trust and comfort when Dad's there to catch, "safe and snug - tucked inside ...daddy's hug."

"...Whimsical and bright watercolor art combined with rhyming text and lots of smiles make for a fun father-and-daughter outing. School Library Journal


"...[L]emon yellow, crisp sea-foam green and vibrant tangerine hues to create a visual palette that is as vivacious as the tale. George's bubble tale is just the right thing to capture a bustling toddlers' attention." Kirkus

"...You can be sure Daddy won't be sleeping for long in this joyful picture book..." CCBC Choices


Art © Hiroe Nakata 2005

Ordering Information

 

 

UP!
by Kristine O'Connell George
Pictures by Hiroe Nakata
CLARION BOOKS  A Houghton Mifflin Imprint; 2005
Ages 2 to 6   ISBN 0618064893

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