28 Nov Review: Boy Here, Boy There
Boy Here, Boy There
Written and illustrated by: Chuck Groenink
Tundra Books, 2024
ISBN: 9781774881064 (jacketed hardcover)
$24.99 CAD
56 pages
Ages: 3 to 7 years old
Review by: Cassandra Ricafort
After a long journey to a new home, a boy explores the valley around him. Filled with a sense of wonderment and exploration, the boy admires the animals, nature, and people he encounters. Boy Here, Boy There is a look into what a day in the life of a young, prehistoric child might have been like. The beautifully illustrated two-page spreads are illustrated in what look like soft, brush-like strokes, imbuing us with the feeling of the calmness that nature brings. The text itself does not seem to match the beauty of the illustrations. The way the book is written seems to imitate the way a prehistoric person may have spoken, giving the story an unfortunate mocking-like quality. Despite this, this picture book could serve as a good introduction to prehistory in the classroom. The book also includes an author’s note at the end with more information on prehistoric peoples.