The Boy Who Longed for a Lift

by Norma Farber, Brian Selznick (Illustrator)

A boy gets tired of walking and accepts lifts from many sources, but the one from his father as he arrives home is the best

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kayla Schum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy who trys to take every option except walking to get where he wants to go. He ends up realizing that just walking on his own without taking short cuts is the best option. I would use this book in my class to let kids know that short cuts in life are not always the best option in the long run.

[Amber the Human · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a cute book, and Selznick's illustrations are fun (that's why I read it, I'm trying to read all the book's he's illustrated or written), but it's just okay. There's not a lot of story to it. I think children would like it, but mostly because it's repetitive. Selznick adds a little bit of story to the book by implying a sibling rivalry, but it still doesn't explain much.

[Jackie B. - Death by Tsundoku · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute poem which was turned into a picture book. I enjoy the illustrations, certainly. When I was a kid, my favorite picture books were the ones where you could find clues on the current page to show you what will happen on the next page. I enjoyed that aspect of this book. However, there wasn't a lot for me to glean from it as an adult. I'm not sure if there's much to glean as a child either...

[Jen]

(1997) A boy goes on a long, long walk in the countryside near his home and becomes so tired that he calls out for someone to offer him a lift. The walk turns into an adventure as he is given a ride by a brook, boat, horse, snail, a gull, and a rainstorm. None of these offers work out quite as the boy expected and as he walks home he finds the perfect lift from someone he knows--his father.

[Melissa Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a boy who tries to find rides home and none of them work out so he ended up walking home. I really enjoyed reading this book because every sentence rhymed and I think kids will enjoy that too. I also thought the illustrations were very detailed.

[Esuominim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was always one of my favorite books I would read with my dad when I was little. The story is a tad unusual and by the end it comes back to the warm and fuzzy happy resolutions of all good fairy-tales.

[Shelby Troutman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy goes for a walk. In the end he depends on his father to lift him into a hug.

[Kelsey Nauert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy is trying to return home and realizes that walking is his best option. He reunites with his family. This book teaches children to not try to avoid a situation or take the easy way out.

[Alisha Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for beginning readers because it has repeating text. Not very interesting.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part is the ending when the little boy gets a lift from his father. :)

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Better for the younger set, especially those who have just become big brothers or sisters.