Here Comes Darrell

by Leda Schubert, Mary Azarian (Illustrations)

If he isn't at the Barretts' house, delivering firewood with his dump truck, you might find Darrell on his backhoe, digging a swimming hole for the Murphys, or, depending on the season, plowing the Harts' steep driveway with his snowplow. Darrell makes sure each family has what they need for every season—which means he rarely has time for his own home. So when a fierce storm blows into town, how will Darrell, too, end up safe and sound?

Vibrant woodcuts accompany this warm, gentle story of neighbors helping neighbors in a small-town community set in the North.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2005

About the author

Leda Schubert is the author of several picture books, including Nathan's Song, illustrated by Maya Ish-Shalom; Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkinson; Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing, and Monsieur Marceau, which won the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. She lives in Vermont with her husband and two dogs.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering all four seasons on how neighbors help neighbors. Good message, sweet characters.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a neighbor who kept others needs as his first priority all year long. It's rare nowadays to witness this love in action that was so common in my childhood in the 50's.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a great old-timey name, Darrell is the nicest neighbor around, and probably the hardest working. You see him everywhere, plowing driveways for his neighbors, digging ponds, splitting firewood, and getting people's vehicles unstuck from knee deep mud. He works hard year-round to help his neighbors whether they can pay him for his work, or not. He works through extreme temperatures, hunger, early morning hours, dangerous conditions, and mosquitos without complaint. He even takes time to acknowledge children, indulge them a bit, and teach them while he tirelessly works away. He not only helps his neighbors, but sometimes goes a step beyond helping. While Darrell plows through his busy life, he might need some help himself....

This book reminds me of a Vermont Storyteller named Mac Parker who tells about the Kindness War. Each neighbor helps each other out, haying, or sharing garden bounty. "Oh No! Here comes Edna with more pie! Quick, go out to the garden for some more tomatoes to give her!" (It's a constant battle!)

This book would be a great read aloud for preschoolers or elementary school students working on creating a community, or doing themes about neighbors, or helping behavior.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

J PIC SCHUBERT

With a great old-timey name, Darrell is the nicest neighbor around, and probably the hardest working. You see him everywhere, plowing driveways for his neighbors, digging ponds, splitting firewood, and getting people's vehicles unstuck from knee deep mud. He works hard year-round to help his neighbors whether they can pay him for his work, or not. He works through extreme temperatures, hunger, early morning hours, dangerous conditions, and mosquitos without complaint. He even takes time to acknowledge children, indulge them a bit, and teach them while he tirelessly works away. He not only helps his neighbors, but sometimes goes a step beyond helping. While Darrell plows through his busy life, he might need some help himself....

This book reminds me of a Vermont Storyteller named Mac Parker who tells about the Kindness War. Each neighbor helps each other out, haying, or sharing garden bounty. "Oh No! Here comes Edna with more pie! Quick, go out to the garden for some more tomatoes to give her!" (It's a constant battle!)

This book would be a great read aloud for preschoolers or elementary school students working on creating a community, or doing themes about neighbors, or helping behavior. Beautiful woodcut prints from illustrator, Mary Azarian! (Suzy)

[Christine Turner]

If he isn't at the Barretts' house, delivering firewood with his dump truck, you might find Darrell on his backhoe, digging a swimming hole for the Murphys, or, depending on the season, plowing the Harts' steep driveway with his snowplow. Darrell makes sure each family has what they need for every season, which means he rarely has time for his own home. So when a fierce storm blows into town, how will Darrell, too, end up safe and sound? Vibrant woodcuts accompany this warm, gentle story of neighbors helping neighbors in a small-town community set in the North.

Subject: Neighborliness -- Juvenile fiction.
Seasons -- Juvenile fiction

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The incredible woodcut illustrations by Mary Azarian are what first drew me to this book. My family was in love with Mary Azarian's work ever since her images appears in the Cook's Garden catalog. A trip to Vermont allowed us the opportunity to see her work up close. Leda Schubert's text is a perfect compliment to the country setting and tells a gentle tale of neighborly kindness. It's refreshing to see people unconditionally helping each other when they are in need, and there are times when I think we could all take a page from Darrell's story.

[Meghen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book tells the story of a snow plow driver named Darrell. No matter what season it is, he is out helping his neighbors. So, when his family needs assistance, the community gathers around to lend a helping hand. This books teaches readers to be kind to others and others will be kind in return.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great woodcut illustrations. Darrell helps out in a small town throughout 4 seasons and 4 stories are told of what he does to help his neighbors. He can't find time for his own projects and the whole town helps out Darrell when his roof falls down.

[Tam · Rating 1 out of 5]

My 4-year-old didn't like this book at all. It's not like the "typical" books we read. The illustrations aren't cutesy. The story was okay. It did have a good moral to it (if you help others they will help you) but my child didn't really care.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a small town in Vermont, and the way they are interconnected - helping each other when help is needed. The illustrations are woodcuts by Mary Azarian.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best. Kids can learn about being there for friends and neighbors. Written with a sweet, light touch, by a great author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

34 months - Beautiful woodcut images, covers the seasons, talks about helping each other and the interconnectedness of a small town in the north east.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures the essence of (northern) New England and (northern) New Englanders. Simon loves this book!