The Clothesline
written and illustrated by
Orbie
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Owlkids
Imprint
Owlkids
ISBN
9781771473903
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
This is a story about a little boy who lives above a convenience store with his mom. When he goes to spend his pocket money on candy—only when Mom’s not looking—he gives the knot on the clothesline by the outdoor stairs a good yank (it makes the best sound). One day, he tugs a little too hard, and takes the stairs a little too fast, and—whiiiiiz!—gets stuck hanging smack in the middle of the clothesline.
He cries for help, but Mom doesn’t hear. He waits for someone to save him, but only a black cat slinks by. His arm gets tired—but if he hangs on with both hands, he’ll risk dropping his coins! It’s a true dilemma. Finally, he cries out so loudly that he tumbles to the ground. He still spends his pocket money on candy. But he NEVER touches the clothesline again.
Told in sequential illustrations with simple text and vibrant sound effects, this is a suspenseful narrative offering an accessible entry point to early graphic novels and a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud reminder of the consequences of our choices.
Full-color illustrations.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
64
Trim Size
9" x 7 1/2"
Dewey
E
AR
2: points 0.5
Lexile
500L
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
May 2020
Book Genres
Picture Book
Topics
Clotheslines. Adventures. Mothers and sons. Problem solving. Humorous stories.
Standard MARC Records
Download Standard MARC Records
Cover Art
Download Cover Art
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
Reggie and his mother live above a corner store, and when the five-year-old helps around the house, he earns a small allowance. Once he has earned some coins, he goes down the stairs and around the corner to buy some candy, tugging on a knot in the clothesline and making a pleasing “ftoiing!” sound on his way. One day, he tugs too hard and ends up stuck in the middle of the clothesline. His time spent dangling teaches Reggie a valuable lesson. Orbie’s energetic cartoon illustrations call to mind Dennis the Menace, though his dilemma on the clothesline has less to do with bad behavior and more of a mere accident. Reggie earns 30 cents for his chores, which he thinks will buy him a lot of candy at the corner store, adding slightly silly humor and evoking childlike thinking when it comes to letting go of the precious coins. Despite being somewhat lengthy for a picture book, the simple text and easy to follow graphic novel–style illustrations make this easily digestible to young readers. A quick, engaging read for fans of comic style texts.
Grades K-1
Primary
For Grades K-1
Story time just got even more enriching. These inviting nonfiction and fiction selections feature full illustration and easy-to-follow stories your students will love to read aloud. The 12 books per year in this category will keep them engaged all year long.
12 books per Year
$236.64 per Year
Interests
Beginning Readers,Fiction,Picture Books,Storytime/Read Alouds
Grades K-1
Primary
12 books per Year
$236.64 per Year
