Up

by Jim LaMarche

Daniel was tired of being little. Mouse! They'd been calling him that since he was born. He hadn't used to mind it, even liked it once, but not anymore. He poked at some crackers on the table. "Someday I'll be so strong," he mumbled. "Someday . . ." And then it happened. Something so strange, Daniel wasn't sure he could believe his eyes. One little cracker trembled for a second, then lifted up off the table. Not much. Not even an inch. Then, just as suddenly, it dropped right back down. Daniel blinked. Had that really happened? How? Had he done it? Up is the story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent, a talent no one knows about but him. Can Mouse really lift things off the ground? Or is it enough that he believes he can? Once again Jim LaMarche has mixed the magical with the everyday to create a book that stretches our imaginations and our dreams.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2006

About the author

Jim LaMarche is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, including Dennis Haseley’s A Story for Bear; The Carousel by Liz Rosenberg; The Rainbabies by Laura Krauss Melmed; and Albert by Donna Jo Napoli. He is the author-illustrator of The Raft. Jim LaMarche grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in California.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulously talented author/artist Jim LaMarche delivers another beautifully-illustrated, sensitively-told tale of childhood in Up, which chronicles the experiences of Daniel, a young boy who wishes he were older. Longing to join his father and older brother on their family's fishing boat, and sick of his nickname, 'Mouse,' Daniel discovers one day that he has a most unusual ability: he can levitate objects just slightly off the ground, or whatever other surface they lay upon. As he practices this secret new skill, Daniel wonders what use it could possibly be, finding the answer when a whale washes up on the beach close to his house, and his father and the other fishermen have no luck dislodging it...

I have enjoyed every book I have read that has been illustrated and/or written by Jim LaMarche, and Up is no different. The story here is engaging and ultimately heartwarming, addressing a common childhood concern - namely, wishing to grow up, and be trusted with more mature tasks - and offering a creative and magical solution, in the form of Daniel's unusual ability. The accompanying artwork, done in acrylic paint and colored pencil, is simply luminous, beautifully capturing the enchantment of Daniel's experiences, and the beauty of the world around him. Highly recommended to all picture-book readers looking for stories about children longing to be more grownup, as well as to fellow fans of Jim LaMarche's artwork.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little picture book actually has quite a bit of story, even though it only has 32 pages. While the basic premise did remind me a little bit of Roald Dahl's Matilda, the characters and tone of the story were completely different.

What really makes this book shine, though, are its illustrations. The watercolour and pencil drawings are downright magical, and really help create the seaside setting. While some of the pictures are better than others, the close-up illustrations of Daniel are downright adorable.

This story about magic and finding your own strengths would be a nice addition to any picture book collection.

Quotable moment:

Every day, like a weightlifter, he got a bit stronger. But though he could lift heavier things, he could never lift them high. Nor could he move them left or right. Never back and forth, just up, and that, not much.

http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/2...

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim LaMarche is another favorite illustrator. He is particularly great at rendering emotions on the faces he paints.

In this tale, a father and brother believe that Daniel is too small to go onboard the boat. One day he discovers a surprising talent. He can lift items upward when he concentrates on this task. As his special skill grew stronger, one day he and his mother watch as a whale is beached on shore.

Daniel moved the whale to it's side, concentrated and looked into the whale's eyes. By concentrating, and peacefully believing he can help the whale, he is successful. Slowly, the whale moved deeper into the water. Both Daniel and the whale were successful in making this major event occur.

With this amazing feat, Daniel's brother and father now believed he was big enough to go out on the boat with them.

[Jill Roberta Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to love Jim LaMarche, both in illustration and story writing. I know my story time children will love this one.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated, touching story of the "little one" in the family (nicknamed Mouse) who desperately wants to show he is big enough to go out on the fishing boat with his dad and big brother. One morning, when he is forced to stay behind and help mom in the kitchen yet again, he discovers he has a rather unusual talent! When there is a crisis involving a beached whale, "Mouse" just might be able to help--and to put asunder his nickname once and for all! :-)

[Emilie Elkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy: Jim Lamarche uses the art of illustration to depict the child-like innocence and exploration of the main character, who discovers that he is able to levitate objects. The ending is a pleasant surprise, albeit unexpected. While unusual, it got me thinking, and I can see myself using this as a tool for writing prompts and theatre activities.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those utterly imaginative books! Read it! Can't wait to get my hands on more books illustrated by Jim LaMarche!

[Willow · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork is stunning and the color palette beautiful.

Be aware that the boy develops telekinesis; it's a story that is oddly magical but attempts realism simultaneously. I'm not entirely comfortable with psychic ability being the main storyline in a picture book. It almost could be considered to possess a fairy-tale flavor, except that it was too realistic.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an odd little story, but a sweet one. You never know when a simple hidden talent can save the day. Beautiful illustrations and some mildly complex sentences to help challenge the young reader.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childrens' book this year! I loved both the story and the fantastic art. Jim LaMarche has both an incredible imagination and the artistic skills to illustrate his ideas. The ending almost made me teary - for its beauty, not because it made me sad.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students were completely captivated by this book. Jim LaMarche is such a talented author and illustrator.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual story of a young boy who gains some magical power to lift objects and how he uses this new power to help save a stranded whale.

Illustrations are superb.

[Jayda Safford · Rating 5 out of 5]

the boy can make thing go up in the air but he cant move to rigth and the left

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art, and an interesting message about the unrecognized talents of small children.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was meh but the illustrations were amazing.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the one hand, what we have is an uplifting story about a boy who is told he's "too little" to be any use when his dad and brother go fishing, even though the other boys his age already get to help out. And it's also a story of a boy practicing and practicing a skill, being dedicated to it until it can be useful. (That the skill - lifting objects in the air - is fantastical is beside the point.) And of course it's a story of saving a whale's life - great.

But the end of the story hinges upon Mouse's father knowing he's mature and strong enough to help on the boat... which he knows because... he asks to help save the whale, like everybody else is doing and like he always asks to join in things that his older brother does? Or maybe he only gets to go on the boat because he saved the whale... even though nobody knows his secret and they all think it was just their own hard work and pushign that unbeached it...?

The ending just doesn't hold up well with the rest of the book.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written and illustrated by Jim Lamarche. Jim is a neighbor of mine. His son and mine were buddies, soccer team mates, and Jim and I talked a lot on the sidelines during all those games. We talked about Wisconsin and Vermont and other great places to grow up. As it turns out Jim is a tremendously talented artist and author. More importantly he is a compassionate and caring soul who dedicated this book to the memory of my son Charlie. I'll get him to send you an autographed copy if you pass yours along. Read it to your kids and ask the question: if you have a special power (and we all do inside!) what would you use it for?

[Inhabiting Books]

A little boy, told he is too young to join his father and older brother on their fishing trawler, feels left out, but soon discovers he has the magical ability to lift things. After working on this skill, gradually lifting bigger and heavier things, he uses his ability to help save a beached whale.

An uplifting story (pun withstanding) about perseverance, this spectacularly illustrated story is a favorite re-read with my girls. Incredible illustrations!

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreamy, maritime seascapes and homespun charm are brushed lightly with a glimmer of the extraordinary in this magical story of sibling belittling and the delight of possibilities.

You can listen to our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful watercolor illustrations. Liked the element of the boy who doesn't want to people around him to see him as too little to participate in big things. Liked the element of working hard and practicing a skill. Liked the saving of a whale...who wouldn't love to help a whale get back to sea? That said, I didn't love the book. Can't put my finger on it, but didn't love it.

[Crystal Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, magical book about a little boy hoping to live up to his father and brother's expectations.

[Khinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the illustrations.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative story with beautiful pictures and a nice moral.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story with a little magic in it. I may look for other books by this author. It is a short read aloud book for young children.

[Haidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son, who is small for his age, loved this story of a boy who was always to small to do things - until he discovers that he has a special gift.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Milan Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not As Described

A very short book and not as described. He does make magic, though. Over all, its a good book. Thanks!

[Brody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up would be a great power to have!

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy and reality melded in a nicely written story with great illustrations. Not something that will stay in your memory but still a nice little story.