Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
A collection of four stories about a boy and his adventures, including notes and sketches by Oliver Jeffers on the making of each story.
The first story, “How to Catch a Star,” started out as a drawing of a boy trying to do something impossible: the boy loves stars and tries to think of ways to get one of those twinkling lights for himself. The second story is inspired by a real story Jeffers heard about a boy who wanted a penguin of his own. “Lost and Found” is about a boy who finds a penguin, and the adventure to get the penguin home, wherever that might be… “The Way Back Home,” our third story, is out of this world, literally. The Boy finds an airplane and sets out on an adventure. Boy finds himself stranded on the moon with a Martian, and in helping one another, Boy makes a friend. Out last adventure, “Up and Down,” finds Boy and penguin trying to help penguin fly. After a brief adventure penguin realizes why his wings don’t work all that well! The simple and vibrant illustrations draw you into each adventure.
In a letter to the reader we discover that each story was to be the last, however, Jeffers found that one should never say never. Now we have four stories to enjoy about the Boy, his adventures, and his friendships.
Reviewed by Dana Valencia, Media Clerk, Oakridge Elementary
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades PreK-5
Author/Illustrator’s Website for Young People: http://www.oliverjeffersworld.com/
Author/Illustrator’s General Website: https://www.oliverjeffers.com/
The Boy: His Stories and How They Came to Be
Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Philomel Books
168 pages
Release Date: October 15, 2019 (includes four previously published picture books)
ISBN: 0593114744
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
