The first thing that caught my attention on today's read was the bright, red hair. Then, I had to smile at the smile on the girl's face. She looks so peaceful just hanging there like that. As a child, I had a phase where I enjoyed bending over with my head to the floor and staring at the world around me, pretending it was truly upside down. I wondered what it'd be like dancing on the ceiling or how awkward it might be to step over a small wall to get to the next room. So, I'm curious to see what this little girl is doing as she hangs there upside down.
Let's open this book up and find out!
THE UPSIDE DOWN GIRL
by Keith Negley
Clarion Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
From the acclaimed creator of Mary Wears What She Wants and Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) comes a silly and sly investigation of what happens when one girl dares to do her own thing.
Who is the Upside Down Girl?
How did she get up there?
Most importantly . . .
Why is she upside down?
This cheeky, charming tale about seeing things from a different perspective is perfect for readers who march to their own kazoo. Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett!
Perfect for:
- Classroom and at-home storytime
- Building confidence and independent-thinking
- Readers who like to laugh!
- Conversations about mindfulness and slowing down
MY TIDBITS
Being yourself gets flipped onto its head in a meaningful message which brings smiles, too.
There's a girl in the tree, hanging upside down on a branch from her knees. She doesn't do anything else. She just hangs there. And while that shouldn't make any difference to anyone who sees her, for some reason everyone who passes by seems to want to share their two cents. And none of them find what she's doing as good. Still, the girl is content and without saying much, unwillingly instigates an uproar.
It's never said why the girl is hanging in the tree, but it's also unimportant. The illustrations make it clear that she's happy just hanging there, minding her own business. It's easy to sympathize with her, especially since she's not doing anything wrong or bothering anyone. Yet, everyone who passes seems to find it upsetting and is more than happy to share their opinions. Her refusal to listen or get upset makes her inspiring, although listeners will probably wonder how long that can go on. Her attitude also adds a touch of humor...never rude but it still upsets those passing by in a way they can't really do anything about. As the situation builds, so will the smiles on listeners' faces, and the 'what will happen' adds to the tension, too.
The illustrations let the emotions come across clearly and familiar while adding just a little artistic flair to keep the atmosphere light. The girl is kept front and center with her peaceful attitude, and this visually steers the entire book without a single word. The text flows nicely adding a repeated phrase every few pages to give listeners something to grab onto. It creates a lovely read aloud even for more reluctant listeners and works nicely in group as well as single settings.
And here he is...
Keith Negley is the author and illustrator of A Lot Like Batman, The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl, Mary Wears What She Wants, My Dad Used to Be So Cool, and Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too). He has received multiple medals from the Society of Illustrators as well as recognition from American Illustration. His artwork has been featured in many publications, and he is a frequent contributor to the New York Times and the New Yorker. Keith lives in Bellingham, Washington.
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