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Ben Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of... Continue »

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Ben MarcusBen Marcus 9780307379375

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When the Sky Is Like Lace

by Elinor Land Horwitz

ISBN13: 9780670059096
ISBN10: 0670059099
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Staff Pick

A favorite picture book of mine that is both magical and comforting, this classic encourages the whimsy that is so unique to children. And breathtaking illustrations by Barbara Cooney help, too!
Recommended by Jill S., Powell's City of Books

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

What happens when it's bimulous and the sky is like lace? Strange and splendid things! Otters sing, trees dance, and the grass is like gooseberry jam. There's a special party that anyone can attend. Anyone, that is, who knows the rules and isn't afraid of plum-purple shadows, can cook spaghetti and would like to teach a new song to the otters.

Back by popular demand, this whimsical picture book illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winner Barbara Cooney's lush watercolors is as resonant today as when it was first published almost thirty years ago.

About the Author

Elinor Lander Horwitz is the author of a number of books for young and adult readers including How To Wreck a Building, Sometimes It Happens and Contemporary American Folk Artists.

Barbara Cooney (1917-2000) is the author and illustrator of many books for young readers including Miss Rumphius, Eleanor, Island Boy, and Hattie and the Wild Waves. She is one of the few illustrators to have received the Caldecott Award twice, for Chanticleer and the Fox in 1959 and for Ox-Cart Man in 1980.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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: birdleggs2, January 10, 2010 (view all comments by birdleggs2)
When my daughter was young, we read When the Sky is Like Lace over and over, getting it out of the public library more than we had a right to! I loved it at least as much as she did, and probably a quite a bit more because I appreciated the creative wording that she could not yet grasp (but certainly could enjoy). The gorgeous pictures made the whole idea of a
"bimulous night" perfectly understandable and something to long for, even for a toddler. The very first time we read it together, we were so caught up in the clever premise that a tune just materialized in my head for the song "Katy Didn't Do It" and rolled out of my mouth, delighting and surprising both of us. What parent and child wouldn't be thrilled to find the same kind of spontaneous exuberance! My daughter is now grown, but we have reminisced over this book so much that it became clear that one of us needed to own the book so we could get our bimulous "fix" on demand. When I did indeed get it, we snuggled together to read and relived the whole experience of more than 20 years ago, with every detail as delightful and smile-provoking as the first time (tune still rememberd). In our family, this book will be handed down to be enjoyed passionately by the next generation!
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Product Details

ISBN:: 9780670059096
Publisher:: Viking Juvenile
Subject:: Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks
Illustrator:: Cooney, Barbara
Author:: Horwitz, Elinor Lander
Author:: Cooney, Barbara
Subject:: Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Publication Date:: 20040603
Binding:: Hardback
Grade Level:: from P up to 3
Language:: English
Illustrations:: Y
Pages:: 32
Dimensions:: 10.40x8.22x.43 in. .74 lbs.
Age Level:: 05-UP

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