The Reader

by Amy Hest, Lauren Castillo (Illustrator)

In this timeless picture book, a new reader trudges through deep snow with a mysterious suitcase in tow. He has something important to share with his faithful companion, who bolts ahead to wait at the top of a tall hill. Our small hero climbs higher and higher, until finally, he is there, too. Then he opens his suitcase―click, click―and soon the only sound in the world is the sound of the reader reading their very favorite book to the very last page…the very last word. Amy Hest’s spare evocative text is a true celebration of new readers and good friends everywhere, while Lauren Castillo’s pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, with their bold saturated colors against winter white, perfectly capture the wonder and delight of this magical day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Friendship, Books About Books, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a little boy and his trusty dog head out on an adventure one snowy day? Such is the premise of this story, which Neo liked, especially when the contents of the suitcase were revealed. A quick story, full of friendship and snow. Let's hope Neo does not ask for a dog... or to trek in the deep snow.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy takes his dog and sledge up to a hill. They make tracks in the snow before sitting down to read his favourite book. I wondered if this was a good idea to take your favourite book out in the snow, especially as it's still snowing but it's a nice idea to find an unusual place or setting to read in.

A line or two of text on each page and nice illustrations. This would work well as a beginner reader.

Read on open library.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his dog enjoy playing in the snow before settling down together to enjoy a good book. I was happily reminded of the time my youngest boy spent a long time building a snow chair to sit in and play his Gameboy in the snow. (Yeah, yeah - I would have preferred he read a book, but what can you do?)

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small boy and his dog climb a snow-covered hill together in this picture-book for younger children, the dog gamboling about, the boy dragging his sled. When they both reach the top they share a treat, and the boy reads his canine companion a story. Then they sled back down the hill, returning home...

I loved Lauren Castillo's ink and watercolor illustrations in The Reader, and was on board with Amy Hest's simple story of a boy and his dog having a wintry adventure, until the boy pulled out his book. Maybe it's just the fussy book-collector in me, but I couldn't help but wince at the thought of that wonderful volume - which the boy clearly loves - being ruined by the wet of the snow falling on it. As someone who loved to read as a girl, and who also loved to play outside in all weathers, I have sympathy with a character who wants to do both. But even as a very young child I knew that paper didn't do well in rain and snow. It's a minor point, and I suspect one that won't bother other readers, but for this bibliophile it was enough of a distraction that if I was able, I would subtract half a star.

[Suzy Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the story is whimsical, but wordy in places. The illustrations carry the story along and are wonderful. They give a cinematic feel to the whole thing. But overall, I do not think this story of sharing and friendship is the most original of stories.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much of a story to this, but what I liked were the illustrations. A boy and his cute dog climb a snowy hill, and when they get to the top have a snack and read a book. The dark outlines of the objects contrast with the whiteness of the snow, and make them stand out. I could feel the chill of those snowflakes and the warmth of whatever the boy had in his thermos. Reading a book up there seems like just the right thing to do--except the librarian in me hoped the snowflakes wouldn't get the book all wet. I recommend this book for a quiet winter afternoon--indoors, where the book will stay dry.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw, this is really cute! Kindle version available for $1 today - 1/16/18.

The story: A boy and his dog, out to play on a snowy day. The boy pulls a sled up and up to the top of a snowy hill. On the sled is a suitcase. As the boy walks, the dog playfully follows, running around in the snow chasing a bunny, a bird, but always dutifully following the boy as well.

At the top of the hill, they play, making snow angels, snowballs, even a snow dog. They enjoy warm drinks and toast the boy has brought, and then settle in to read a favorite story. After the story is read, the boy and his dog settle on the sled, and ride down the hill, back home.

[Monica Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for an elementary school library based on the reviews on Amazon. While it is not ideal for kids who are beyond picture books it's perfect for kids who still love to be read to or for children who are learning to read. I loved the tender, sweet message within the story. Not only does the book encourage a love for reading but also an appreciation for our friends, especially the fuzzy ones.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy walks through the snow with his dog and a suitcase in his hand. He gets his red sled with runners and heads out. They climb a large hill, leaving straight lines in the snow from the sled as the dog bounds ahead. Once at the top, they stop for a snack of toast and warm drinks. Around them the snow continues to fall. Finally, the suitcase is opened. The boy pulls out a book to share with his dog, about friendship. He reads it aloud, the two of them together at the top of a snowy hill. When they are done, they pack everything back up and climb on the sled for the ride back down the hill. Together.

Hest has written a book that is filled with falling snow but also warmed by the friendship of a boy and his dog. Though the title gives a hint at what is in the case, readers will still be surprised to have them read it out in the falling snow. Hest incorporates beautiful little details: the sound of crunching and sipping, the sound of the boy reading at the top of the hill, the hard work of getting up the high hill. These all create a feeling of time, moments that are to be treasured because they are so beautiful.

Castillo’s illustrations are done in pen and ink and watercolor. Against the white of the snow, all of the colors pop. The brown of the dog, the red boots, the smears of color on the suitcase: all are cheery bright against the white countryside. The illustrations have a wonderful jaunty feel to them, celebrating this close friendship and reading books.

A wonderful mix of snow and story, this book is a rich winter delight. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Lu Benke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This definitely should have been a wordless book. The text just gets in the way even down to telling us the title of the book the boy reads to his dog. Without the text, I can easily imagine the story a child would make up to go along with the illustrations that are in one of my favorite styles--black outlines on colorful figures. Wait, that's a bit ironic--a wordless book titled what?

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about a young boy and his dog and their perfect day together--playing in the snow, eating crunchy toast, reading a book, and sledding.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 star book
a gentle and soft read aloud, perfect bedtime story for a cold winter night.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a cold and snowy day, a boy and his dog set out with a sled to conquer a big hill. The boy struggles to drag the sled to the summit, while the dog runs and plays, but eventually they both reach the peak and can enjoy the snow. This book perfectly captures the magic of a snowy day for a young child, both in the enjoyment of the weather and the effort that enjoyment can require. Growing up in an area with a winter that produced plentiful snowfall accumulations, this book was a nostalgic trip back to my own childhood and the hours and days spent bundled up outdoors in the snow. A delightful book for anyone who loves winter. And the title? Well, let’s just say that you don’t have to forsake the outdoors to enjoy a good book!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Boy, A Dog, A Sled, an Imagination and a very wonderful secret in a brown suitcase that the reader, or more commonly know as a little boy, trudge up a snow-covered mountain to spend time together and to share a very special moment.

The dog is very good at waiting and when the time is right, two very good friends share a story, then soar across the world together, and land at home. Together.

A sweet book, not all glossy and overdone, just simple illustrations to tell a simple story of the love of reading and time between a boy and his dog.

If you are using this as an early reader, there will be a word or two (loopy and impeccably) that your child might stumble over, but the flow will remain and the illustrations will come in handy to show what the words mean.

[Caren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very, very sweet little book. Since I love books and dogs, of course I would be enchanted by this story. This would be very nice for a winter story time, with the little boy and his dog taking a trek on a snowy day. When they reach the top of the world, they pause to have a snack, then the boy takes something wonderful from his suitcase. The illustrations perfectly fit the simple tale. I just wanted to hug this book to me, I liked it so much.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, and I love that the page where "the reader" is reading subtly features snow flakes in the shape of letters instead of just circles...but the librarian in me screams to see the reader reading a book while it is actively snowing (when the book would surely get wet from melting snow on the pages)!

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely combination of pictures and story. Told in the present tense, this feels like a mood piece. And who can resist the idea of boy and dog, walking through the snow to a special place to do something important--reading together!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently I'm not as much of a book lover as I thought, because I'd never do the idea in this book. I guess I'm just not dedicated enough. If you'd do this, let me know, as my curiosity is piqued!

That aside, the pictures are very cute!

Ages: 3 - 7

#winter

[Cat Fithian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kid and dog go sledding, kid reads a book about friends, kid and dog sled down the hill. Eh. I'm underwhelmed.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book about a boy, his dog, and their favorite book! Love the ink and watercolor illustrations, you can see the texture of the paper, which adds to the depth of the pictures.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 yrs -My daughter says she really likes this one. The illustrations are simple and perfect for the story. Not too wordy like a quiet fresh winter snow. Fun!

[Jennifer Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young boy who goes on an adventure to the top of a hill. The writing is such that it at first seems like a struggle which could metaphorically speaking of the struggle for some to learn how to read. He has a sled which he pulls behind him. He has to use strength and determination to make it up the hill. Though the cold and the wind he trudges up the hill. At his side ( and sometimes far ahead of him is his trusty dog. Together the two of them make it up the hill. Once there they reward themselves by making snow angels, eating crunchy toast, and drinking warm drinks. The very best reward of all is they get to read a book. At that moment they are in their own world. "And the only sound in the world is the sound of the reader reading to the very last page...the very last word." And after the outing is over, they both get to race back to home, together. Perfect read for kindergarteners. Illustrations are interesting.

[Gwen - Chew & Digest Books - · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, not just for the title and that she is a reader, but because for as long as I can remember, my dogs have always been my best buddies and I've read to them all.

Totally unrelated to the book: My last dog, Murphy Grace, got so used to my reading to him that he'd try his best to get his 100 plus pounds onto my lap and always swatted at me when I stopped. It must have been the "special" cuddle time and the sound of my voice. Not that you can call it cuddling with a dog that weighs almost as much as you do...

No matter, whether to an animal or an empty room, reading out loud is great practice for later things in life like giving speeches and presentations. Keep that in mind as you hand your kids a book.

[Ma Jiani（Marjorie） · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a narrative picture book with an adventurous spirit and a friendship. This is a theme picture story book about winter stories. A young boy reached the top of the mountain on a winter's journey, surrounded by snow. He was accompanied by his dog. When he reached the top of the mountain, the boy began to read the story of two best friends, just like he and him. I think the deep meaning of this story will be lost in most children in life, but, with some hints, they may see the protagonist's behavior is similar to that of learning to read.

[Suebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the beautiful art (would love to try to copy it in an elementary art class), but the story fell flat. The text was dry and uninteresting, and the premise of a boy carrying a book in a suitcase and a sled to the top of a snowy mountain (during a blizzard) in order to read the book to his dog at the top of said mountain BEFORE sledding down the hill just didn't make sense. Have the snowy fun, sure, and then cuddle up by the fire when you're warm and dry and read your book to your dog.

[KimBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A new reader trudges through deep snow with a mysterious suitcase in tow. He has something important to share with his faithful companion, who bolts ahead to wait at the top of a tall hill. Our small hero climbs higher and higher, until finally, he is there, too. Then he opens his suitcase—click, click—and soon the only sound in the world is the sound of the reader reading their very favorite book to the very last page…the very last word."

Love everything about it! :)

[Alison T. Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is nothing like spending a snowy afternoon with your dog making tracks, climbing hills and drinking cocoa. But the real magic comes in the form of a book that has been brought along to share a good story with a good friend. “When there is nothing left to crunch or sip, they curl up close. ‘And now,’ says the reader to the dog, it’s time.’

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story!

Beautifully written story about a boy, his beloved dog and a special trip to the top of their world. I loved the illustrations and could almost his the crunch of the snow as they made their way up the hill. I think this will be a great present for my young reader in training nephew.

[Rebecca Crunden]

Such a sweet, lovely message and gorgeous illustrations!

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[La La · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adored the illustrations for this story. They are what kept me from giving it one star. For much of the book the reading rhythm struggled, and the font was not dark enough to stand out for easy reading on the pages with busy backgrounds.