"Benji and the Giant Kite" - a bookwrap

Hey everyone!   This is Benji and he loves kites.  He calls himself  the "kite-whisperer".  What's that you ask?  Well come along inside his book and he'll tell you....  

Unwrapping

"Benji and the Giant Kite"

Authored by Alan C. Fox

Illustrated by Eefje Kuijl

* Ages: 4-6
* Grade Level: PS+
* Series: Benji  
* Publisher- Clavis 
* Pub. Date:  August 1, 218
* Language: English

"Benji & the Giant Kite is a children’s book that comes as a breath of fresh air. It does everything that a children’s book should do." – -- Dragonfly Sweetness blog

From the author

When we were kids my brother and I loved to fly kites at the beach.  There was a giant kite at the toy store that I wanted more than anything. With my modest allowance it would take me weeks to save enough money to buy the kite so I asked my mom for a loan. I remember how happy I was to bring that kite home from the store. I carefully assembled it, and then I had to wait patiently for the weekend to go to the beach. I flew that kite so high it was just a speck in the sky. I almost couldn’t see it.  I wanted my kite to fly forever, so when my dad said we had to go home I let go of the string.  I think maybe my giant kite is up there still.

Unwrapping some wonderful illustrations for you today

About the book

 It seems Benji is obsessed with kites of all shapes and sizes.  

"Benji loved purple skies, sunset skies, cloudy skies, blue skies, and kite skies.

Especially kite skies. " 

He eagerly saves his allowance each week to purchase kites and twine at the local toy store in his town.  Unfortunately each of those kites meet some dreadful fate forcing Benji to go back again and again for another one.  Oh my!  

One day while visiting the store with his mom he spots a HUGE orange, diamond-shaped kite and he knows he must have it.  Mom reminds him that he has already spent his allowance and the kite is expensive so out-of-the question to buy.  Determined to have it Benji volunteers to weed the garden to pay for the kite.  Mom  thinks that's a good idea and agrees to his offer.  She buys the kite and tucks it away in the closet until Benji can gather enough "sweat equity" to pay off his debt.  

After two weeks of garden-tending Benji gets his beloved kite and off he goes to the beach to fly it high into the sky.  

It's refreshing (and important)  to send a message to our kids that perseverance and hard work pays off.  Mom is so right to teach Benji a valuable life lesson about working hard to achieve a goal and the joyous feeling that is brings once that goal is reached. 

The illustrations are beautifully executed and power the simple text in the storyline.  The surprise ending will generate some wonderful conversations about why Benji did what he did with his beloved kite.  I like the book a lot and recommend it.  

Storywraps Rating - 5 HUGS!!!!!  

About the author

Hi, My name is Alan. I was inspired to write this story to share the joy I experienced as a child when I grew a gigantic banana squash that did indeed weigh twenty-four pounds. I hope my story will show that patience and care of the earth produce delicious rewards. Perhaps after reading about Benji and his farm-to-table adventure, you too will want to grow your own colossal squash. I'm a New York Times bestselling author of three books for adults that provide advice for living a happier, more successful life. I am also the editor of a poetry journal called Rattle. Each year we publish a book of poems written by children. Because I love encouraging children to fulfill their dreams, I founded a charity that works to maximize the potential of youth as well as an organization that encourages young people to become active in helping others.

Meet the illustrator

 Eefje Kuijl (Breda, the Netherlands, 1978) studied Illustration at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU University of the Arts). Since she graduated she works with pleasure for all kinds of commissioners: at the beginning mostly educational editing companies, lately more and more companies working on other fields, like editors of illustrated children books. Eefje specializes in illustrations for children. She lives in Breda with her husband, son Guus, daughter Fien and dog Jip.Eefje about her profession: It is always a treat to work with colors and composition. Normally I draw everything directly by computer in Photoshop, using a Wacom pen and tablet. Sometimes I use photographed elements in my illustrations." www.eefjekuijl.com

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