Halibut Jackson

by David Lucas

A picture book about shyness from a new and truly innovative artist

Halibut Jackson is shy. He would prefer not to be noticed at all. But he loves to make his own suits, especially suits that help
him blend into the He has a flowered suit for the park, a book-patterned suit for the library, and a fruit-adorned suit for the shops. But mostly he stays indoors. When Halibut's invited to a party at the palace, he's too bashful to go, until he decides to make a palace-patterned suit. "No one will even notice me!" he thinks. Except that it's a garden party . . . and everyone notices Halibut. Soon, he's the most popular guy in town, thanks to his skills with a needle and thread, and his fabulous fashion sense.

This is a winning homage to shy people everywhere. Do you know a Halibut Jackson?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2003

About the author

David Lucas has written and illustrated several books for children and was named a Booktrust Best New Illustrator. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Vijetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halibut Jackson is shy.
Halibut Jackson doesn't like to be noticed.
So Halibut Jackson blends into the background.
.
.
.
But mostly Halibut Jackson stayed indoors.

The book is about a shy kid getting an invitation to the Queen's Birthday Party and how things have worked out for him by just being himself - the shy and not wanting to be noticed kid.

and although be was still a little shy,
it seemed not to matter so very much at all.

Themes like this one make me happy! Imagine how easy it would've been to be ourselves (and happy with it) at an early age in life. If only there were more people/books telling you there's nothing wrong in being shy or not wanting to be noticed.

Another random pickup from the children's section at the bookstore which turned out to be heart warming.

[Debi Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of three titles from our local library's online catalogue that I put "on hold" so it would be waiting for me and the Littles (my grand daughters, ages 6 and 8) when we arrived.

I selected it for us because, well, because I loved the cover. I would like me a blouse just like that. :)

Halibut Jackson is shy. So shy that he does not like to stand out. So, he creates outfits for himself that will cleverly blend into the surroundings. Until one day, he has a special invitation by the Queen to attend a party.

We were sitting at the little center coloring table and reading the books out loud to one another. When we came to the page showing the official RSVP invitation to Halibut from the Queen, my naturally very out going 6 year old Little, Miss E, said she would love to go. I asked, "To see the gold? The silver? The gems? The people all dressed up? Ooo, how about seeing the queen?"

She said, "Yes, AND they might have CUPCAKES!"

Five stars to any book that has all three of us cracking up. Even if it isn't "in" the book.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halibut Jackson is so shy he creates suits which allow him to blend into the background. But one day he picks the wrong outfit and he sticks out instead. Fortunately, everybody likes his outfit and wants their own.

I don't think this is actually a cure for shyness, but it could be used as a lesson in following your passion.

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halibut Jackson is shy. He’s so shy that whenever he goes out he wears a suit to blend in so no one will notice him. He has a flower print suit for going to the park and a suit that mimics books on shelves for his trips to the library. But one day Halibut Jackson receives an invitation to the Queen’s grand birthday party. Although he’s shy, Halibut Jackson simply cannot refuse. So he makes himself a suit covered with jewels hoping it will help him blend into the royal castle. Too bad it’s a garden party! Instead of blending in Halibut Jackson becomes the center of attention. The King and Queen adore his clothes and ask Halibut Jackson to make them suits, too. Soon Halibut Jackson has a clothes store of his own. People notice him, but it doesn’t matter so much anymore.

Although this book was published in 2003, it has a distinctly vintage feeling. The whimsical pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations are filled with fabulous retro-inspired clothing. The line work incorporates curlicues, domes, and other geometric shapes. At times Lucas brings the focus onto a single character or element by placing it against a white background, but more often he fills up every nook and cranny of the page with people, flowers, books, and knick knacks of all shapes and sizes. The text, written in third person, is simple. The story is written in short, repetitive sentences with important words emphasized in italics or capitals.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Layna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore both the beautiful illustrations and the casual incorporation of a fat protagonist. I think this is really good for my son to see, given that both his parents are fat and most kids' books have skinny parents. I'm a little less happy about the trope of a fat person trying to be invisible, but in the story it's not about Halibut trying to hide his fatness. The fact that he's fat is never mentioned. Halibut, at least at the start, just doesn't want people noticing him, period.

I like that good things happen to Halibut because he is brave and creative, that people respond to his art and his risk-taking, and that he becomes connected and successful in his community.

A great book for my toddler, who is himself shy, and also loves finding Halibut in the scenery.

[Liselotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

[edition read: Dutch]

I got this book as I'm incredibly shy as well and much rather not be seen than be seen! This book was really cute, I loved how it didn't make a problem of the shyness, and Jackson stays shy even to the end. A lot of books make being shy seem like it's a horrible thing, but it isn't! A really cute story, just a shame it doesn't have rhyme (in the edition I read anyways!) because that would've made it just a slightly better! :)

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shy Halibut Jackson likes to blend in to his surroundings and tailors clothes to match backgrounds. His library suit (made to look like a bookshelf) is the best! Then he gets an invitation to a party, and his whole life changes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite David Lucas book yet. I love how his stories unfold, and it was fun searching for H.J. in the pages with the girls!

[Alexis Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows a young boy who is very shy but has a hidden gift. Throughout the book, Halibut comes out of his shell and ends up becoming very popular with his gift.

Halibut is very shy and makes outfits that make him blend in with his surroundings. He has outfits he wears to the grocery store, park, library, and his house. Halibut was invited by the queen to go to a party at the palace. He thought that the palace would be very sparkly, so he made an outfit that he believed would blend in. When Halibut went to the party, it ended up being outside. His outfit stood out, and everyone was looking at him. After the party, everyone wanted Halibut to make them outfits like his.

[Lakshmi Sethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book many a times with my kids. Firstly, the illustrations are very different. It's a new world for my children. And the story is simple but it's so worth reading. Halibut Jackson is shy, and he wears dresses that merges in the background, my children love finding him in the pictures. And how at last he got noticed by everyone and made new friends. If you are thinking to buy this book, then you must go ahead, you will not be disappointed for sure!

[Parvathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halibut Jackson! What a guy:) I highly recommend this book for children and adults alike.
It's a simple and classic story about a child who prefers to blend in rather than stand out and he goes about his life wearing suits and blending with the background which is a visual treat.

Then one day he accidentally stands out and he gets a lot of attention in a way that he likes. So everything turns out to be ok. One star less because the ending could have been more satisfying.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book which is currently the basis for all our work. We are designing and making a suit for Halibut to visit the Royal Garden Party along with making maps. My class simply love this story. The quieter children have just come alive after reading this story. Quite simply, a beautiful book.

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at the library book sale and bought it for my small niece, who has yet to actually get her hands on it. I was enchanted by it, and I can’t wait to read it to her, and I will update this when she has read it.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introvert who likes to 'blend in the background'
Talks about how it's okay to want to not be noticed and be alone, but the value of contributing one's talents to the world to make everyone's, including one's own life better.

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book. Lovely illustrations and easy to read. Not sure I agree with a message that seems to say "as long as you're useful, you will be accepted by people" (true, but should it be?) But ultimately I love the book and would purchase for children.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this quirky book. The kindergarteners seemed indifferent to it, though they enjoyed Halibut Jackson's camouflage.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Kim pulfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

David l

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open Library.

[Patrice]

BookTree
S&E loved

[fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

is halibut jackson available to design my drag race package

[Lula · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book ever full stop

[Danica Pungtilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are so good that they need to be studied

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Halibut Jackson was shy.
Halibut Jackson didn't like being noticed.
Halibut Jackson liked to blend into the background.
But one day he made a mistake, he was noticed-
and his life changed forever. "

Halibut styles his clothing so he will blend in with his surroundings, kind of like a chameleon does. He does not want people to notice him but is happiest when he can go on about his business anonymously. One day he receives a party invitation in the mail from the Queen inviting him to her big birthday bash at the palace. Halibut is very flattered by the invite but unsure if he should take it in. How in the world can he blend in to such opulence? He is moved so much that he has to search deep inside himself to see if he really could attend and overcome his shyness or should he pass because he would be too shy to step out and party with royalty. He did take that bold step after dreaming of creating a rich, silver and gold suit that he made into a reality. The suit is magnificent and blends perfectly with the luxuriousness of the palace setting, or is that the correct setting he should be focusing on? What happens to him at that party changes his life forever. Not only does he attend the party of the Queen but he becomes the star of the party, overshadowing even her Majesty, herself. He comes away from the celebration with a great feeling of self-confidence and with many new found friends. They inspire him to explore and exhibit the amazing talent that he possesses within himself. With much success in in his life now his shyness fades into oblivion.

The illustrations are whimsical and magical done in pen and ink with watercolours. Each page is packed with people, curlicues, domes, geometric shapes and fantastic details that keep you coming back again and again to find something new tucked in them The feel is vintage and the clothes retro-inspired. The simple text is written in third person with short repetitive sentences with important words highlighted in italics or capitals.

This book was published in 2003 and was chosen as Amazon.com's favourite children's book of 2004. It was also selected as Best Children's Book of 2004 in both Publisher's Weekly and Child Magazine.

[Serene In Wonderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. The style of the writing, the illustrations, the topic... so cute. Halibut Jackson is so shy he makes himself suits to camouflage into the background of wherever he goes. When he gets an invitation to a party at the royal palace he knows he can't go as he "certainly doesn't go to parties." Then he decides to make himself a palace suit, but it doesn't go quite according to plan and he ends up standing out much more than he'd like.

The illustrations are so fun and have a timeless classic feel to them. Most of the scenes have Halibut camouflaged so it's fun to ask little one where he is. The scenes are also quite busy so there's lots for your child (and you!) to look at. After reading a few times I realised Halibut has a framed picture in his house of himself where he's so shy, he's covering his own face.

A genuine concern a Muslim parent might have about this book is that it glorifies the wealth and status of the Queen and King. Halibut is excited to go because of the glamourousness of the palace. However that isn't the main message of the book so I wasn't too bothered by it. I appreciated the story of overcoming extreme shyness and of using your talents.

[Simon Aldous · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quirky enjoyable picture book about Halibut Jackson, a man so shy that he makes himself a series of suits that blend into the background of wherever he happens to be - for example, one with a fruit design for when he is at the shops, one with trees for visiting the park - with the desired result that no one ever notices him.

When he is invited to a party at the king and queen's palace, he creates an appropriate palace-looking suit, only to be caught out when it transpires that the do is in fact a garden party, and instead of blending in, he completely stands out.

It all comes good though, as the royal couple love his suits and commission him to make ones for them. The resulting prestige of designing clothes for the royals means everyone wants a Halibut Jackson outfit, and he becomes a successful suit maker.

My Year 2 class enjoyed this story a lot. I did combine it with some talk about people being shy, and how they can be missing out, but I'm not sure there is anyone shy in the class - unless they're the one wearing the jumper that looks like the class carpet.

[Jozsef Barna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very charming story about a very shy character who designs outfits which help him stay unnoticeable. One day he miscalculated and dressed in a jewellery type dress to blend into the Queen's palace but this time was a garden party. The fear creeped up on his spine. Everyone noticed his exceptional clothes made by him. Mr Halibut's world changed in a second, he became everyone's dressmaker, now he has friends. He is still shy but it does not matter anymore.
It is beautifully phrased, perfect for reading aloud with a young child. I was particularly fond of the illustrations, they are such fun. Exceptionally detailed for children to spot (including Halibut Jackson himself!). Lots of little details to talk about. This book could therefore support the language development of young children or children who have EAL.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halibut Jackson has some amazing suits.

Edit (3/19/9) The first several times I saw images of the cover, even the first couple of times I saw it in life, I didn't get it. For some reason the title/cover combo made me think of baseball. It wasn't until I was returning the book that I even noticed Halibut on the cover. Sly, that.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides having a rad name, Halibut has a gift for designing clothes. He uses his gift to blend into his surroundings when he must go out in public, but eventually it garners Halibut attention that he finds he doesn't mind getting.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hopeless agoraphobic becomes celebrated at court for his outlandish dress sense. He exacts appropriate revenge on a hostile world by convincing the upper echelons of his society to dress as badly as himself.