Synopsis
Things grow and change a little at a time, as a grandfather explains to his grandson.
School Library Journal
PreS-K—As grandfather and grandson walk through the city, the boy asks how everything came to be: tall trees, deep holes, even the litter on the street and the smog in the air. To each question, his grandfather answers, "A little at a time." The text flows smoothly, with a conversational style and repeating phrases that create continuity. The book—Adler's first—was originally published with illustrations by N. M. Bodecker (Random, 1976). The new edition includes minor text changes and features muted, impressionistic oil paintings. Some pictures are more successful than others: the page about growing tall shows great composition and line, while on the spread about litter both human and dog faces seem misshapen. This decidedly quiet book is unlikely to captivate a squirmy audience.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR