Larry and Friends
Carla Torres – Creator/Illustrator
Nat Jasper – Author
48 pages – ages 6+
Published by Tangerine Books 2014
Theme / Topic – immigration / diversity
Summary –
Larry, the American dog living in New York City, is having a birthday party. Living in New York gave Larry a chance to meet friends from all over the world. “Ringadingadong!” Which guest is at the door? Larry introduces the reader to all of his friends (like a Korean fox, an Indian elephant, and an Irish hare). We learn about the country they came from, their immigration stories and how they became friends with Larry.
What I thought –
This was a very cool way of explaining immigration to younger kids. I like how it tells a bit about the culture the animals come from and also how they met Larry in America. Each page introduces us to a friend of Larry’s with a picture on one full page and the text on the next. The story is one that a young kid can’t read by themselves (the reading level is harder and some of the animals talk with an accent) but the story would make an awesome bedtime story or a way for parents and teachers to tell an immigration story or introduce kids to the countries represented in the book. There are footnotes on each page to explain language or phrases used on the page for the reader (for example what an African Djembe is or what “Xie xie” means in Chinese). Besides the informative and fun story, the illustrations are spectacular!
I could look at them all day! I thinks kids, parents, and teachers will enjoy this book!
I give this book five out of five bookworms!
To learn more about Ms. Torres and Larry and Friends, please visit Ms. Torres’ website HERE.
What a great book on immigration for young kids!! I love the illustrations!
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This is a great book to learn about immigration! Thanks Ms. Wenjen!
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Those illustrations are super! Quite unique. Thanks for sharing!
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Don’t you like that a dog is the main character?!? 🙂
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And a cute,funny dog at that!!
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It looks lovely. My elder child is starting to understand the concept of countries, so this is probably ideal for him. 🙂
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It would be a great story to read together! Thank you for your comment Ms. Neal!
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What a great way to introduce the subject of immigration to children. Lovely book!
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It is a very neat way to show kids how “people” immigrate! 🙂
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I dig the illustrations!
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Sadly there is a cat in the book…. 😉
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Whaaaa?!
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Yup – an Iranian cat who works at the Museum of Natural History and likes butterflies. 😉
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Pity.
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This looks magnificent, Erik. So interesting!
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Thanks Ms. Johnson! 🙂
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The book sounds very interesting and the illustrations are very unique! Great review, SuperKid!
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I really loved the illustrations and the book is packed with them! 🙂
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Groovy! Love all the art you posted (you know I am a sucker for great visuals!)
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I knew you’d like this one! 🙂
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😉
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Parties are fun. I would wear my pink dress. I am American. I would get along with all the other critters at the party….as long as the cats don’t hide under cars and try to kill me.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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You’d look pretty in your pink party dress Cupcake! I’d have Clyde wear his bow-tie! 🙂 There is a cat in the book and you know you can’t trust cats…
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Now you are killing me. Was to have done this one weeks ago and got side-tracked. Nice review. Cool illustrations. I loved all the different cultures represented and how they got to America. More of an introduction to characters than an actual story, I thought, but hey, I should have thought that weeks ago. Darn me. One more for you. 😀
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I love the illustrations in this book. It is an introduction to each character, but I think it kind of makes a story out of all the immigration stories. BOOYAH – one more for me – but don’t worry I’m posting one today (actually 2) that you beat me on! 🙂
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Yet another stellar review, Erik 🙂 And I agree—the illustrations look SO detailed, there’s a LOT to look at! 😀
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Thank you! The illustrations are fabulous! 🙂
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Wow! You are right about the illustrations ~ spectacular!
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Thanks Dr. Clune!
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Now this is my kind of book, Erik. Borderline surreal with wonderful themes. Have you read Shaun Tan’s The Arrival yet?
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The Arrival is an excellent book! 😀
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