Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Desmond's Rich Inner Life or A Tale for Shrinking Violets




The first review of Disappearing Desmond is in, hurray! I love this review from Publishers Weekly, they really got Desmond's spirit.

"'How Not to Be Seen' is a famous Monty Python sketch, but it also describes the peculiar and poignant talent of shy children like Alter's (What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe?) hero Desmond, an anthropomorphized cat. Desmond is so self-erasing that he can easily blend into a classroom poster: "Sometimes, even his teacher could not find him." Then one day, a vivacious and persistent rabbit named Gloria (think young Auntie Mame with long ears) arrives in class and pulls Desmond out of his shell. One good turn leads to another, and soon most of the class wallflowers are blooming--although the final image makes it clear there's still work to be done. Many of Desmond's camouflage efforts show a lot of ingenuity, which could convey to some readers that his inner life in rich enough to compensate for his lack of friends. But Alter's empathy is never in question, and with Gloria's arrival it becomes clear just how much yearning was in Desmond's heart--socially confident readers and shrinking violets alike will be won over."

-Publishers Weekly

And in honor of "not being seen", take it away Monty Python:

PS. There are some explosions and gun shooting in this video, if you're showing this blog to your students be warned!



Desmond will be in stores August 24th!

4 comments:

Elaine Magliaro said...

Anna,

That's a lovely and thoughtful review. Congratulations! IMO, this would be an excellent book to read aloud in an elementary classroom.

Thanks for the Monty Python video!

Anna Alter said...

Thanks Elaine!

Meghan McCarthy said...

congrats Anna! Lets hope on one blows up a pile of your books!

Libby Koponen said...

Congratulations, Anna! How great that the first review GOT the book -- I hope it's the first of many such. And that this is the big one!