Who's Whose? by Jan Ormerod

by Jan Ormerod

Three very busy families engage in such activities as school, soccer, piano playing, and cooking.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Jan Ormerod grew up in the small towns of Western Australia, with three older sisters, and as a child she drew constantly and compulsively. She went to art school and studied drawing, painting and sculpture. After completing her degree, Jan become an Associate of the Western Australian Institute of Technology and Design in Education, taught in secondary schools on enrichment programmes, and lectured in teacher’s college and art schools. Jan's first picture book, "Sunshine", won the Mother Goose Award in 1982 and was highly commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Her recent titles include "Ben Goes Swimming", "Emily Dances", "Who’s Who on Our Street?", " A Twist in the Tail" and "Ponko and the South Pole".
http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/authors...

Reviews

[Rachel Olive · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Who’s Whose by Jan Ormerod follows a family with 4 parents, 1 granny, 2 guinea pigs, 1 dog, and 8 kids who all work and live together? The whole book follows them throughout a week and shows how a community of three families all live together helping each other. In the end you are left with wonderment of whose is the cat that is in the story.
Analysis: I was a little lost when trying to read this book, as it almost needed a family tree or map. Although I like the point was that they act like one big family and they don’t see much difference. This book was comical and would make an excellent book for young readers. This book was difficult to follow though, so may not be great without help from a teacher.
How I would use this book: I would have this book on my shelf as a fun read for students. I could also use this book as a book to teach the difference between “whose” and “who’s.” This could also be a fun book to explore family trees and lineage.

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Add half a star for the concept. I like that this book is supposed about alternative families, but its execution is just horrendous. I felt like I was reading one of those math/logic puzzles where you have to figure out who lives in what house and what sport they play and when they were born...

Also the illustrations DO NOT help in figuring out who belongs to whom.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing picture book, helping readers to understand today's complex and fluid family arrangements.

Enjoy your neighborhood all the more, after the treat of the excellent writing and superbly detailed-and-sumptuously-beautiful illustrations. All courtesy of Jan Ormerod.

Thank you, Jan.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much potential but I certainly don't know anyone who'd really want to sit down and page through and identify everyone. I got Josh because he reminds me of my boys, but that's it. Otoh, Ormerod's art is wonderful, as always.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting book that follows a family and their different roles in the house and belongings. Maybe some students can relate but I'm not sure that all students would enjoy this book. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Cassi Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I relly like this book because it is showing a blended family. In today;s society these are the families you will be seeing, so it would be a good idea to introduce a book showing children the different background students can come from. I would read this to k-2.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A play on words tells the story of one of my all-time-favorite books featuring a blended family.

[Raven Grider · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be used to teach prediction and sequencing in the classroom.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm all for friends and neighbors helping each other out with the kids, but this is a little extreme. Do they live in a commune?

[Riker Mcfeely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terribly confusing for a kids book and difficult to read out loud.