Saturday, August 18, 2018

Night Job by Karen Hesse and illustrated by G. Brian Karas [Review & Giveaway-USA/CANADA-2 winners]


Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763662387
$16.99 Hardcover
On sale Sept. 11, 2018
My thoughts:  What  a lovely story! The text and pictures evoke a gentle lesson in loving caring, sharing, togetherness, and respect for work.

Dad takes his son to work with him on Friday evening. The story brings honor and respect to the janitorial job of Dad. Son delights in each moment shared from the motorbike ride to and from the school building to sweeping floors.

Together (Dad doesn't denigrate his young son's ability to be helpful) they begin the organized task of making clean the building.

Illustrated with pictures colored with the darkness and shadows of night, they are not scary or fearsome. They are simply a pictorial essay of love and work shared between a father and son.

This is an absolutely lovely book and I recommend it for libraries everywhere.

About the book: When the sun sets, Dad’s job as a school custodian is just beginning. What is it like to work on a Friday night while the rest of the city is asleep? There’s the smell of lilacs in the night air, the dusky highway in the moonlight, and glimpses of shy nighttime animals to make the dark magical. Shooting baskets in the half-lit gym, sweeping the stage with the game on the radio, and reading out loud to his father in the library all help the boy’s time pass quickly. But what makes the night really special is being with Dad. Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse’s quietly powerful story of a boy and his father is tenderly brought to life by G. Brian Karas in this luminous tribute to an enduring, everyday sort of love.

GIVEAWAY
2 winners each 1 copy graciously provided by Candlewick Press and hosted on Chat With Vera
Begins August 18
Ends September 8 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Opened to USA and CANADA - No P.O. Boxes
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Winners' copies are provided by and shipped directly to winner by Candlewick.

9 comments:

  1. "1) What do you do to share your work with your child?" This isn't really applicable to my life, but I'd be happy to discuss my work with anyone.

    "2) Have you talked with your child about appreciation for the custodial work done at your work or at their school?" I doubt that children respect school janitors to the extent that they deserve. I'm not sure I see that changing, but this book looks like a start!

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  2. "(1) One other book you would like to have for your own" "Origami and Haiku."

    "(2) One book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera" "The Pirates Of Scurvy Sands."

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  3. 1. I'd like to have their book Nana's Button Tin.

    2. I'd like for you to review A Is for Australian Animals.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  4. When our children were young, we would talk about my work at the library.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  5. I'd certainly like to have a look at it and I think it would be fun for my nephew when he's a little older. Thanks!

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  6. I have my son help me around the house as I do my housework. I haven't talked with him about custodial work at his school, though I will now.

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  7. I would like to have Flora & Ulysses The Illuminated Adventures. I would like to read a review for You're All My Favorites.

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  8. I work from home, so everyone is pretty aware of my work and what I do. Amazing what they pick up by listening to you on the phone.

    We've never discussed the custodians at school, but I've tried to teach them to respect everyone.

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  9. 1) A bus called heaven
    2) Sam & Dave dig a hole

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