Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Happy Book Birthday, Hurry Up! by Kate Dopirak


HURRY UP!
A Book About Slowing Down
by Kate Dopirak 
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Beach Lane Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8



A busy boy and his dog learn to slow down and enjoy life together in this lyrical, rhyming picture book perfect for hurried families everywhere.

For one busy boy, life is all hurry up, hurry down, hurry round and round and round! That is until he takes a big breath...and a big break...and slows down to see all the wonderful things in the world around him.

From celebrated picture book creators Kate Dopirak and Christopher Silas Neal, this playful yet powerful picture book reminds us to be present, to be mindful, and to appreciate each moment
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MY TIDBITS

Life's super speed takes a well, needed break in this very relatable tale.

Get up, run to the bus, hurry to class... The day goes on and on, faster and faster as this child does its best to make it through the day. But after the work is done, life flips and maybe, doesn't have to be as fast as thought.

Almost every child will relate to this book. From the minute morning starts, the day hurries by as the school routine takes over. The constant hectic to do everything, which is expected is brought across very clearly. The kid in these pages rushes to and fro in the exact same way most listeners do themselves. When everything switches gear and slows down, listeners will again identify with the fun play and relaxation bring. The difference between fast and slow is obvious, and the message behind it too.

The illustrations bring across the hectic motion, set familiar scenes and add a tiny, dash of light-heartedness, too. But there's also the sense of empathy. It's a sweet picture book, which encourages listeners to take a break every now and then because these are just as important as the constant hurrying about.


And here they are...

The Author...
Kate Dopirak (1975–2018) loved walking her puppy, watching her sons play basketball, and convincing her husband to share a cheese plate instead of wings. She also loved to write for kids. Kate was a teacher, a reading specialist, and the Assistant Regional Advisor for Western Pennsylvania SCBWI. Her books include You’re My BooTwinkle, Twinkle, Little Car; and Hurry Up. Visit her at KateDopirak.com.

The Illustrator...
Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning illustrator and author who regularly contributes to The New York TimesThe New Yorker, and creates book covers for various publishers. He has directed short animated videos for Kate Spade and Anthropologie and was awarded a medal from the Society of Illustrators for his work in motion graphics. He illustrated the acclaimed picture books Over and Under the Snow and Lifetime, both of which explore the natural world. Over and Under the Snow, with author Kate Messner, was praised for its “stunning retro-style illustrations” (The New York Times), was a 2011 New York Times Editor’s Choice and won an E.B. White Honor Award in 2012. He recently contributed art to the New York Times bestseller Goodnight Songs, which is a collection of poems by author of Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown.

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