Work and More Work

by Linda Little, Óscar T. Pérez (Illustrations)

Tom lives in the countryside in the mid 1800s and he’s curious ― what is it like in the town, the city and the world beyond? It’s all “work and more work,” everyone tells him. Determined to find out for himself, Tom sets off with a bit of bread and cheese in a bundle… He encounters crowded marketplaces, bustling wharves and storms on the high seas. In China he sees how tea is made; in India he watches men make deep blue dye from indigo; in Ceylon he marvels at the skill of cinnamon peelers. Eventually, he returns home with stories and gifts, showing his parents the riches to be found all over the world. Includes an illustrated afterword about the different kinds of work mentioned in the story when, in the days before steam, nothing moved except through the power of wind, water and muscle.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Travel, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2014

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted story about a boy who works for what he wants and ends up traveling the world. I think every little one could benefit from learning about all the work that goes into making everything.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up on a farm back in 1840, Tom works very hard, but like many of us, he is curious to know what's beyond the farm that he knows so well. When he realizes that many passersby are on their way to town, he decides to see for himself what's out there. His parents tell him that he need not bother since there is only "work and more work" there. Still, Tom is curious, and that curiosity drives him on, to the town, to the city, to the sea, from port to port, and to many fascinating places, including China, India, and Ceylon. When he returns with stories of his adventures and treasures, his parents eagerly embrace him, but his mother sees only the work that has gone into the things he has brought home. I suppose it's all in one's perspective, of course, but his keepsakes are lovely, and his worldview has been enhanced as the result of his travels. The marvelously expressive illustrations were created with pencil and finished with digital colors and textures. The book's text and images capture the flavor of a time long ago.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 18th century, with its intrigues and it's cultures, wars and politics, cannonballs and grapeshot, has always been appealing to me as a reader of historical fiction. I find that fiction is actually a more digestible way of appreciating the real world of the past, and author Linda Little seems to enjoy the same approach with this book. Young Tom is warned by his parents that the wide world of his 18th century environment is "work and more work", which is exactly what Tom, with an enthusiasm found in very few people in the real world today, decide to try anyway. His voyage around the world will help him see what readers like myself have read in countless novels from authors like James Michener, Patrick O'Brian, Jean Plaidy etc. The smell of the sea mixed with tea from the Dutch East India Company and the feel of indigo silk from China are only a few of his rewards for adventures, but pale to the real reward he receives when he comes home a grown man: experience from living a life, joy from a job well done and a new measure of love and respect from mom and dad. Sadly, I may never get that feeling as, due to my illness, I can never function in that kind of world, but I never look down on anyone who works 9 to 5 for a living. I can only dream, and books like this help the dreams become more enjoyable.
Three stars
Coolness that works it!!!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why it has taken me so long to write a review for this book, it is one of my favourite picture books. It combines some of the things I love the most; working mothers, travel, and hard work, and presents them in an extremely engaging way.

It is the middle of the 19th century and Tom and his parents work hard in northern England. Tom is not afraid of hard work, but he has a yearning to see the rest of the world. He funds his travels by working on ships and everywhere he lands. He learns that people work hard around the world- but what they do is different, from harvesting tea to creating indigo dyes.

There is an afterword for the book that gives further information about the items produced in the areas Tom visits and work in the 19th century.

This book gives my kids a great respect for the items they use everyday and the hard work that was put in to make them, as well as making them realize that having a working mother is the historical norm and nothing to be ashamed of.

[Jennifer Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nineteenth-century protagonist is curious about the world—but everyone tells him that all there is in the world is “work and more work.” He signs on as a sailor and encounters worlds vastly different from his own, finding joy in his work. His dour parents are a tremendous source of humour; his enthusiasm brings hope. Pérez’s illustrations are beautiful, resembling gorgeous 19thC puppets

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tom lives in the countryside in the mid 1800s, and he is curious that what is it like in the town, the city, and the world beyond? It's all "work and more work," everyone tells him. Determined to find out for himself, Tom sets off with a bit of bread and cheese in a bundle. His curiosity take him from town to town. He encounters crowded marketplaces, bustling wharves, and storms on the high seas. In China he sees how tea is made and in India he watches men make deep blue dye from indigo; in Ceylon he marvels at the skill of cinnamon peelers. Eventually he returns home with stories and gifts, showing his parents the riches to be found all over the world. This wonderful book includes an illustrated afterword about the different kinds of work mentioned in the story, work that was done when, in the days before steam, nothing moved except through the power of wind, water, and muscle" -- Provided by publisher.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read together with 7 year old son. Theme=there's a big world out there for those willing to explore and everything created takes work. The main character, a boy, is from rural Northern England. He leaves home and ends up traveling the world visiting China, India, and Ceylon. The book led to discussion about life in the 1840s. My son was especially interested to learn about the processing of cinnamon. Illustrated with muted colors and highly, detailed images of far-off lands, the book has the feel of a era gone by. One detail in the illustrations bothered us a bit--apparently the boy left home for an extended period of time, but in the illustrations he never aged.

The book is a thought provoking change of pace from what we normally read, has challenging vocabulary, and we recommend it for children in 2nd and 3rd grade that like to read about adventures.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1840, curious Tom works hard on the family farm but wants to know what else is in the world. His parents tell him not to bother because he'll only find "work and more work" out there. Tom's curiosity drives him on to the town, the city, out to sea, and voyages to exotic places like China, India, and Ceylon. He returns to his welcoming parents with stories of his adventures and treasures, but his mother can only see the work that has gone into the things he brings home. A fascinating commentary on perspective with distinctive, wonderfully expressive illustrations.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story about a young boy's journey to adulthood. Loved the non fiction pages at the end. The illustrations were beautiful!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared more toward fifty-year-olds, who can relate to the lamentation "work and more work."

[Alice Teets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork. Nice story. Definitely recommend!

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if this will have a widely popular appeal as the story is geared more for the adult reading rather than the child. Could lead to discussion...

[Christine Turner]

Summary
Tom lives in the countryside in the mid 1800s, and he's curious -- what is it like in the town, the city, and the world beyond? It's all "work and more work," everyone tells him. Determined to find out for himself, Tom sets off with a bit of bread and cheese in a bundle . . . He encounters crowded marketplaces, bustling wharves, and storms on the high seas. In China he sees how tea is made; in India he watches men make deep blue dye from indigo; in Ceylon he marvels at the skill of cinnamon peelers. Eventually he returns home with stories and gifts, showing his parents the riches to be found all over the world. This wonderful book includes an illustrated afterword about the different kinds of work mentioned in the story, work that was done when, in the days before steam, nothing moved except through the power of wind, water, and muscle.

Subject: Work -- Juvenile fiction.
Occupations -- History -- 19th century -- Juvenile fiction.
Travelers -- Juvenile fiction.
Voyages and travels -- Juvenile fiction