Old, Old Man and the Very Little Boy, The

by Kristine L. Franklin, Terea Shaffer (Illustrator)

As he listens to Old Father's stories each day, a little boy asks if his friend has ever been young, but only after he has grown old himself, does he understand Old Father's answer.

Genres: Picture Books, Death

27 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Kristine L. Franklin is the author of several novels for young readers, including ECLIPSE, NERD NO MORE, DOVE SONG, and the best-selling LONE WOLF, a SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Best Book of the Year.

Reviews

[Kai Seifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story to read during and Africa unit
Good message
Great illustrations

[Sam Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

After years of looking for this one, I FINALLY found it in the Berkeley Public Library. The illustrations are beautifully painted, though perhaps more appealing to adults than to children since they are pretty stripped down. As a person interested in the life course, this one got extra points from me. The basic story is of the circularity of time and aging, and how what it is to grow up and grow old and the sweetness and even sorrow of the simple fact of the passage of time. I have no idea how children would react to this one, but I definitely enjoyed it.

[Alana Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...his voice was as dry as the dust." This book has beautifully phrased sentences and could easily be used as an example so that students can imitate the writing. This is a great story about getting older.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 Stars We all think we will be young forever...that old people are so old and we will never be like them...

And then time passes....
Life Happens


And The Young Man Dancing in the dirt

Is the Old, Old Man!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy befriends an old man but doesn't believe he too will be old one day. Of course he does and the cycle continues.

[Sharonneika · Rating 4 out of 5]

t=This book is about a young boy who always listens to a very old man who always sits on his stoop. Overtime the young boy begin to understand all of the things that the old man tells him.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "Circle of Life" story set in an African village. Clever concept.