Review: Boy Here, Boy There

Boy Here, Boy There

Author and illustrator: Chuck Groenink

Tundra Books, 2024

ISBN: 9781774881064 (jacketed hardcover)

$24.99 CAD (jacketed hardcover)

56 pages

Ages: 3 to 7 years old

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.