Here’s a fun one for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
Heave Ho!
Written by Heinz Janisch
Illustrated by Carola Holland
NorthSouth Books, 2006
First published in Austria under the title Ho Ruck!
Suitable for: ages 2 and up
Theme/Topic: teamwork, counting
Opening:“This story is told in twelve sentences. (Start counting now!)”
Brief Synopsis: From the inside cover flap: “A thrilling story in just twelve sentences? Impossible you say? Think Again! Marvelously fresh text, cheeky illustrations, and a surprise ending are all served up in this wonderfully concise tale of a dog, a cat and three mice …”
Link to Resources: This teamwork lesson plan is for older kids, but could be modified. For younger kids, building with blocks to create one building or object could strengthen team building skills. Here’s a counting lesson. We count a lot in our house right now. Well, not in the correct order yet.
Why I chose this book: Technically, there are 14 sentences, but who’s counting? The story is told in 12. The surprise ending is delightful.
With a toddler, I like short, rich stories. I tend to write short too (still working on the rich part). The illustrations blend beautifully with this story. As a writer, it inspires me to submit some of the shorter ones that rely so much on illustrations. This was a library find. Used versions of the book are available online. The author’s website is in German, but Google translated the site.
For more Perfect Picture Book Fridays books, check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
I love minimal text and I’m surprised there is a writer and illustrator. Usually you find author/illustrators who can draw what they mean with such low word counts. Impressive! And it looks great fun too.
I was interested in the author/illustrator team, too.
Ditto what Catherine said! As always, brings to mind the question of illustrator notes (unless too busy counting sentences!!)
Ho Ruck!
Yes, too busy counting.
Hey-we both went with short and fun this week! I’ll be sure to try and find this. Thanks,Stacy.
Short is a good choice.
It’s amazing what stories writers can come up with using so few words. Sounds like a good one.!
I know Janet. I hope for brevity or at least the “right” word.
Fun! Great stories told with minimal text make great writing lessons 🙂
It is Laura.
Love the title Ho Ruck! Looks like you found a gem of a story. Something we all hope to learn — simplicity. Hope my library has this book. Wonder if the writer and illustrator worked on this together.
Patricia, I wasn’t able to read a lot of the writer’s website to see if there was a story about this collaboration.
I’m sold! Thanks Stacy!
I’m glad.
I’m on board as well, Stacy! Great title…can’t wait to find a copy to see how to tell a story in 12 sentences.:)
Thanks for finding us another Perfect Picture Book!
Sounds like a great book!
It’s a fun one Tracy.
Impressive – how I wish I could reduce my stories to so few words.
Joanna, I am always in awe of a tightly written story.
I TOTALLY have to read this! A story that’s well told in 12 sentences? I have MUCH to learn here! You are the second person this week who has posted a story and commented on it’s brevity. This one looks really fun! Thanks for sharing!
Short is a fun trend, until, of course, there’s no room for longer stories. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this sparse story. My stories lately are short too so glad to see one like this. I’ll have to check it out to see exactly what is going on. 🙂
I’ve been writing short too.
A story in 12 sentences. Wow. That’s amazing.
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
It’s a good one.
Well the author did tell you to start counting NOW (as in after the first two sentences). 😉 Still, amazing! Thanks for the review.
True, but I wasn’t following directions. I jumped ahead.
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