Finalist, Chocolate Lily Award
CCBC Best Books starred 2012 Orca Book Publishers Ages 6 - 10 |
Seven-year-old Leland has trouble writing, but loves drawing. He so dislikes his teacher that he conjures up Delilah, an imaginary seeing-eye dog to help him into class each day. When a local painter recognizes Leland's gifts as an artist, Leland grows more confident about the world as he uniquely sees it.
"I was so impressed with this book. The content is just fantastic. My heart broke for this kid and his very real problems." CBC-Radio "A wonderful little novel for beginning readers... an effective classroom read." Resource Links "Full of vivid descriptions and emotion, this book will attract a wide range of readers." Library Media Connection "Cassidy juggles numerous issues with ease." - Booklist |
Reviews
"I was so impressed with this book. The content is just fantastic. My heart broke for this kid and his very real and very common problems that he has at school. His struggle is so compellingly described...Another thing I really liked about this novel is the fact the child does not get on with his teacher very well and, you know, that does happen. And I love the way that this uneasy relationship is described and eventually is resolved through a process of compromise and negotiation between the teacher and the child. The book's title may be Seeing Orange, but one of its great strengths are the shades of grey in that teacher-child relationship - I thought that was particularly well handled, especially for such a short book in a genre not really known for sensitive and thoughtful portrayals of a child's experiences." - Nikki Tate, CBC Radio Full review (of Seeing Orange, Slick and Windfall) linked here.
"A wonderful little novel for beginning readers. This story is interesting enough to keep hesitant readers engaged, with very detailed and beautiful illustrations...With the final message of acceptance and doing one's best to improve, Seeing Orange makes for an effective classroom read." Resource Links
"Full of vivid descriptions and emotion, this book will attract a wide range of readers. This title comes with an online Teacher's Guide so the book can be used in literature circles or as classroom reads. Overall, this book makes a fine choice for both classroom and school libraries due to its wide reader appeal and early reading level." Library Media Connection
"Cassidy juggles numerous issues with ease in this gentle Orca Echoes chapter book, as two-tone mixed-media illustrations highlight the differences between Leland’s reality and imagination." Booklist
"...this Orca reader offers a story that will appeal to boys as well as girls in the primary grades. Themes of loneliness, friendship, and perseverance are ones to which many students will relate. Cassidy does a thorough job of describing her characters and settings. The ending is satisfying and uplifting, leaving readers with a good feeling about appreciating our abilities and facing challenges." CM Magazine
"I was so impressed with this book. The content is just fantastic. My heart broke for this kid and his very real and very common problems that he has at school. His struggle is so compellingly described...Another thing I really liked about this novel is the fact the child does not get on with his teacher very well and, you know, that does happen. And I love the way that this uneasy relationship is described and eventually is resolved through a process of compromise and negotiation between the teacher and the child. The book's title may be Seeing Orange, but one of its great strengths are the shades of grey in that teacher-child relationship - I thought that was particularly well handled, especially for such a short book in a genre not really known for sensitive and thoughtful portrayals of a child's experiences." - Nikki Tate, CBC Radio Full review (of Seeing Orange, Slick and Windfall) linked here.
"A wonderful little novel for beginning readers. This story is interesting enough to keep hesitant readers engaged, with very detailed and beautiful illustrations...With the final message of acceptance and doing one's best to improve, Seeing Orange makes for an effective classroom read." Resource Links
"Full of vivid descriptions and emotion, this book will attract a wide range of readers. This title comes with an online Teacher's Guide so the book can be used in literature circles or as classroom reads. Overall, this book makes a fine choice for both classroom and school libraries due to its wide reader appeal and early reading level." Library Media Connection
"Cassidy juggles numerous issues with ease in this gentle Orca Echoes chapter book, as two-tone mixed-media illustrations highlight the differences between Leland’s reality and imagination." Booklist
"...this Orca reader offers a story that will appeal to boys as well as girls in the primary grades. Themes of loneliness, friendship, and perseverance are ones to which many students will relate. Cassidy does a thorough job of describing her characters and settings. The ending is satisfying and uplifting, leaving readers with a good feeling about appreciating our abilities and facing challenges." CM Magazine