Down the Road

By Alice Schertle

Book Overview

With beautiful watercolors from Caldecott Honor artist E. B. Lewis, Alice Schertle's Down the Road is a touching picture book not to be missed.

Sometimes Hetty walked with Mama down the dusty road. Sometimes she walked with Papa. But Hetty had never, ever been allowed down the dusty road all by herself.

Eggs for breakfast, Mama and Papa agree, would be nice, but they're too busy to go to the store. Is Hetty big enough? "Absolutely," says Papa, so with money in her pocket and a basket over her arm, Hetty sets off for Mr. Birdie's store.

Although she practices her smooth walk up the hill so she won't break the precious eggs, Hetty can't help running all the way down. But what will she do about the slippery log over the stream and the rock hidden in the road? And what other obstacles will Hetty face on her first grown-up adventure?

Alice Schertle's gentle text and E.B. Lewis's glorious, translucent watercolors depict a loving family and the friendly world that awaits a child's first steps toward independence.

"The story is remarkable for its evocative imagery, and the loving interchange between the characters sets a charming tone. The words are perfectly complemented by Lewis's dazzling, impressionistic watercolors that show the joyous power of love and depict a warmly supportive world in which Hetty ventures forth toward independence. A fine book that speaks straight to the heart." --Booklist

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152024719
• ISBN13: 9780152024710
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 11.0" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Teacher review

I am a third grade teacher and I use this book to help teach writing. When I read the book to my students, I ask them to look for how the author used certain crafts. This book contains many teachable elements.

Down the Road

Hetty is a well-developed character. Students who have failed at a task despite their best efforts can identify with Hetty. The realistic watercolor illustrations enhance the text and show the emotions that Hetty is feeling. This well-paced story gives an accurate depiction of life in the country. The onomatopoeia used in the story helps the reader to visualize the setting and Hetty's actions.

FINE SWEET APPLES

Our family loves this book. It's a great example of forgiveness and families that work together to get us through the tough times. Our Afr. Amer. daughter particularly loves the beautiful pictures of this AA family.

Down the Road

This was a very good book. This story shows a young girl who is given the responsibility of going to the store alone. When she makes a mistake she is afraid to go home. The story showed how the young girl corrected her mistake. It also showed loving parents who were understanding and supportive. This was a great family story. The girl learns about responsibility. The illustrations were done in watercolors and are beautiful.

A Delightful New Classic

What a charming story of a little girl who learns about responsibility, forgiveness, and making the best of a mess. We love this story!