Title: Charlie the Tramp
Author: Russell Hoban
Illustrator: Amanda Hall Lillian Hoban
Publisher: Plough Publishing House; Gld edition
Publication Date:October 3, 2016
Genre/Format: Picture Book
Grade Range: Preschool-3
Synopsis:
Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.”
An American classic is back in a special 50th anniversary hardcover edition. Winner of the Boys Club of America Junior Book Award, 1968.
About the Author – Russell Hoban
Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmit Otter’s Jug-band Christmas.
About the Illustrator – Lillian Hoban
Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet. She also illustrated six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.
My Thoughts:
Charlie the Tramp is a children’s story from the 60’s and recently brought back into print for the 50th anniversary. This is the first time I have ever heard of Charlie the Tramp and admit that it was a delightful read filled with classic illustrations. I have several books from my childhood tucked away on the shelves and the illustrations in this book brought back many memories. While I did love reading this book to my boys, it is a tad long. With that being said, we did break it up into two days because I was starting to lose my six-year old’s attention. However, and older child wouldn’t have any problems finishing the book in one setting or reading it themselves.
Charlie the Tramp can be found at your local book retailer or online at stores like Amazon.
