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Read a Book with Me
Will you read a book with me? Antonio wants someone to read with him, but nobody seems to have any time--not his mom, not their neighbor, and not any of his friends on the street. It's only when he looks in an unexpected place that he discovers the perfect reading partner, and a chance to make a new friend. A celebration of the power of stories and communities, Read a Book with Me will remind audiences young and old that there's nothing to bring people together like the power of a good book.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Schimel
338 books139 followersI'm a full-time author, anthologist, and translator (Spanish->English) living in Madrid, Spain.
Writing in both Spanish and English, I've published over 90 books in a wide range of genres, including poetry (DESAYUNO EN LA CAMA and FAIRY TALES FOR WRITERS), children's books (LA AVENTURA DE CECILIA Y EL DRAGÓN, COSAS QUE PUEDO HACER YO SOLO, LITTLE PIRATE GOES TO SCHOOL, etc.), short stories (TWO BOYS IN LOVE, HIS TONGUE, THE DRAG QUEEN OF ELFLAND), graphic novels (VACATION IN IBIZA), and many anthologies (STREETS OF BLOOD: VAMPIRE STORIES FROM THE AMERICAN SOUTH, SWITCH HITTERS: LESBIANS WRITE GAY MALE EROTICA AND GAY MEN WRITE LESBIAN EROTICA, KOSHER MEAT, FOUND TRIBE: JEWISH COMING OUT STORIES, CAMELOT FANTASTIC, etc.)
I've twice won a Lambda Literary Award, for FIRST PERSON QUEER and PoMoSEXUALS: CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GENDER AND SEXUALITY.
My picture book ¿LEES UN LIBRO CONMIGO? was selected by the International Board of Books for Young People for Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2007 and my picture book NO HAY NADA COMO EL ORIGINAL was selected by the International Youth Library in Munich for the White Ravens 2005.
My poem "How to Make a Human" won the Rhysling Award for Best Science Fiction Poem.
I am also the publisher of A Midsummer Night's Press, a small poetry publisher, which has published THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR OTHER LIFE by Achy Obejas, THE GOOD-NEIGHBOR POLICY: A DOUBLE CROSS IN DOUBLE DACTLYS by Charles Ardai, BANALITIES by Brane Mozetic, translated by Elizabeti Zargi, and FORTUNE'S LOVER: A BOOK OF TAROT POEMS by Rachel Pollack, as well as the annual series BEST GAY POETRY and BEST LESBIAN POETRY.
Writing in both Spanish and English, I've published over 90 books in a wide range of genres, including poetry (DESAYUNO EN LA CAMA and FAIRY TALES FOR WRITERS), children's books (LA AVENTURA DE CECILIA Y EL DRAGÓN, COSAS QUE PUEDO HACER YO SOLO, LITTLE PIRATE GOES TO SCHOOL, etc.), short stories (TWO BOYS IN LOVE, HIS TONGUE, THE DRAG QUEEN OF ELFLAND), graphic novels (VACATION IN IBIZA), and many anthologies (STREETS OF BLOOD: VAMPIRE STORIES FROM THE AMERICAN SOUTH, SWITCH HITTERS: LESBIANS WRITE GAY MALE EROTICA AND GAY MEN WRITE LESBIAN EROTICA, KOSHER MEAT, FOUND TRIBE: JEWISH COMING OUT STORIES, CAMELOT FANTASTIC, etc.)
I've twice won a Lambda Literary Award, for FIRST PERSON QUEER and PoMoSEXUALS: CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GENDER AND SEXUALITY.
My picture book ¿LEES UN LIBRO CONMIGO? was selected by the International Board of Books for Young People for Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2007 and my picture book NO HAY NADA COMO EL ORIGINAL was selected by the International Youth Library in Munich for the White Ravens 2005.
My poem "How to Make a Human" won the Rhysling Award for Best Science Fiction Poem.
I am also the publisher of A Midsummer Night's Press, a small poetry publisher, which has published THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR OTHER LIFE by Achy Obejas, THE GOOD-NEIGHBOR POLICY: A DOUBLE CROSS IN DOUBLE DACTLYS by Charles Ardai, BANALITIES by Brane Mozetic, translated by Elizabeti Zargi, and FORTUNE'S LOVER: A BOOK OF TAROT POEMS by Rachel Pollack, as well as the annual series BEST GAY POETRY and BEST LESBIAN POETRY.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 2, 2020
Someone shared this book and I knew I would love it, purchased it, and yes, it is special. It was first published in Brazil!
Author Lawrence Schimel tells about Antonio who wants a special adventure but with someone, grabs his favorite book and goes to ask his mother if she would read with him. She, in the kitchen with a sinkful of dishes, promises that they're read later, but right now, she can't. She's busy! As Antonio makes the neighborhood rounds, each person he asks has something else, something they think is a must-do. The baker's kneading bread, the fruit-seller is waiting on many customers; the mail carrier is delivering the mail! As Antonio moves around the neighborhood, Thiago Lopes' full-color illustrations give beautiful detail, including a stray dog and cat, a few pigeons and those friendly (but busy) shopkeepers in their shops. The "extra" person listening to Antonio is an older blind man from the neighborhood sitting outside in a folding chair. He shares his own secret with Antonio, that few people have time for him either, invites Antonio for a chat and a story. It's a warm story that gives a fine opportunity for people to talk about including everyone.
Author Lawrence Schimel tells about Antonio who wants a special adventure but with someone, grabs his favorite book and goes to ask his mother if she would read with him. She, in the kitchen with a sinkful of dishes, promises that they're read later, but right now, she can't. She's busy! As Antonio makes the neighborhood rounds, each person he asks has something else, something they think is a must-do. The baker's kneading bread, the fruit-seller is waiting on many customers; the mail carrier is delivering the mail! As Antonio moves around the neighborhood, Thiago Lopes' full-color illustrations give beautiful detail, including a stray dog and cat, a few pigeons and those friendly (but busy) shopkeepers in their shops. The "extra" person listening to Antonio is an older blind man from the neighborhood sitting outside in a folding chair. He shares his own secret with Antonio, that few people have time for him either, invites Antonio for a chat and a story. It's a warm story that gives a fine opportunity for people to talk about including everyone.
February 10, 2021
Emily read this today during virtual story time and it was really sweet. I hope to write a longer review once I actually can look at it in person!
February 21, 2022
Why must grownups be so busy and distracted?
Antonio’s character development was wonderful. He was a lonely kid when I first met him, and I empathized with his struggle to find a grown-up who had the time and energy to read to him. What made me like him even more was how persistent he was in figuring out a solution to his problem. Yes, he was sad every time someone said no to him, but he never stopped trying to find someone who could help him. That was such a good message to send to young readers who might also wish the grownups in their lives could slow down and read to them sometimes!
I do wish this picture book had spent more time exploring Antonio’s relationship with his new friend. The storyline spent so much time building up to this moment that I was surprised by how soon it ended after they met. There was so much more the author could have done with these characters. If they had been given more time to develop, I would have happily gone with a much higher rating.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that quietly explored how disabled people are sometimes ignored and mistreated by society. They made their point to the audience without ever sermonizing on the topic, but they were also perfectly clear about how silly it is to discount someone because they are disabled. I was pleased with how this message was seamlessly folded into the storyline. It certainly left plenty of room for discussion for readers who want to talk about it in greater detail, and I appreciated that.
Read a Book with Me was a heartwarming tale.
Antonio’s character development was wonderful. He was a lonely kid when I first met him, and I empathized with his struggle to find a grown-up who had the time and energy to read to him. What made me like him even more was how persistent he was in figuring out a solution to his problem. Yes, he was sad every time someone said no to him, but he never stopped trying to find someone who could help him. That was such a good message to send to young readers who might also wish the grownups in their lives could slow down and read to them sometimes!
I do wish this picture book had spent more time exploring Antonio’s relationship with his new friend. The storyline spent so much time building up to this moment that I was surprised by how soon it ended after they met. There was so much more the author could have done with these characters. If they had been given more time to develop, I would have happily gone with a much higher rating.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that quietly explored how disabled people are sometimes ignored and mistreated by society. They made their point to the audience without ever sermonizing on the topic, but they were also perfectly clear about how silly it is to discount someone because they are disabled. I was pleased with how this message was seamlessly folded into the storyline. It certainly left plenty of room for discussion for readers who want to talk about it in greater detail, and I appreciated that.
Read a Book with Me was a heartwarming tale.
November 17, 2020
I watched the read aloud video of this book on YouTube by Little cub literacy.
My 6 year old daughter and I really enjoyed the book we could totally relate to it because there are times when she wants to read a certain book and she would come to me and I would tell her later and she would go to everyone in our family and since everyone is busy at times she would go to her Grandma and read it to her. The illustrations were good.
My 6 year old daughter and I really enjoyed the book we could totally relate to it because there are times when she wants to read a certain book and she would come to me and I would tell her later and she would go to everyone in our family and since everyone is busy at times she would go to her Grandma and read it to her. The illustrations were good.
August 24, 2023
Suson-suson ang mensahe ng kuwentong pambatang ito.
Una, itinuturo nito sa bata na ang pagbabasa ay masayang gawain.
Pangalawa, itinuturo nito sa matatanda--at maging sa bata, para gawin niya kung siya na ang matanda-na maging magalang sa pakikipag-usap sa bata.
Pangatlo, itinuturo nito sa mambabasa na minsan, ang taong nababalewala natin ang siya pa palang makakatulong at/o makakapagbigay ng pagpapahalaga sa atin.
Una, itinuturo nito sa bata na ang pagbabasa ay masayang gawain.
Pangalawa, itinuturo nito sa matatanda--at maging sa bata, para gawin niya kung siya na ang matanda-na maging magalang sa pakikipag-usap sa bata.
Pangatlo, itinuturo nito sa mambabasa na minsan, ang taong nababalewala natin ang siya pa palang makakatulong at/o makakapagbigay ng pagpapahalaga sa atin.
March 24, 2017
A very sweet story by my pal Lawrence; I'm so glad it'll be available for the first time in English!
September 15, 2021
This book is adorable. So sweet.
September 23, 2021
Cute, sweet, I wish the font were a little larger!
December 29, 2021
Sweet read, but I wish it had a few more pages to show the interaction between the young man and his neighbor. It felt like it ended too abruptly for me.
September 24, 2022
Es bueno
August 7, 2020
An ordinary, everyday sort of thing where grownups are far too busy doing their grownup, necessary sort of things (don't I know it *guilty sigh*), and MC just wants someone to read with him. Let's take a moment and pause here to LOVE this. Okay, moving on, with Antonio trying and trying (not in a whiny or disrespectful or annoying way; goodness! I love this kid!) to find someone to go on this book adventure with him, and EVERY grownup is just far too busy. Grownups, can you hear me on this? Yes, life!
And here is the moment, in this very small and important book: Antonio finds a grownup who isn't too busy to share his book with him, a nameless blind man. They share the book together. And this small moment packs in some big things if you can spot them. Wonderful. Originally published in Brazil, translated to English (thank you because I have no Portuguese), and told simply and clearly with terrific cartoon-style illustrations.
And here is the moment, in this very small and important book: Antonio finds a grownup who isn't too busy to share his book with him, a nameless blind man. They share the book together. And this small moment packs in some big things if you can spot them. Wonderful. Originally published in Brazil, translated to English (thank you because I have no Portuguese), and told simply and clearly with terrific cartoon-style illustrations.
September 16, 2020
I received an eARC courtesy of Beaming Books & Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
This is just so very subtle and lovely. I will be interested to see it in print as the Kindle download has some formatting issues, but this book is just very cute.
This is just so very subtle and lovely. I will be interested to see it in print as the Kindle download has some formatting issues, but this book is just very cute.
October 7, 2020
I like the concept, but the ending felt really abrupt and I wondered if I’d missed a page.
October 15, 2020
Sweet and kind book about a boy whose search for someone to read with him ends up forming a new and unexpected friendship.
October 17, 2020
I watched the read aloud of this book on Youtube by #littlecubliteracy
Read a book with me is a feel good book where a young boy is asking people around him to read a book with him.
Read a book with me is a feel good book where a young boy is asking people around him to read a book with him.
March 1, 2021
Reading partners are not always obvious.
March 8, 2021
Subject: Books and reading -- Juvenile fiction.
Neighborhoods -- Juvenile fiction.
Blind -- Juvenile fiction.
Neighborhoods -- Juvenile fiction.
Blind -- Juvenile fiction.
Want to read
March 27, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews