Lentil

by Robert McCloskey

Book Overview

Young Lentil wants to learn to sing, but no matter how hard he tries he can't sing on key. He can't even pucker his lips to whistle So Lentil learns to play the harmonica instead and beautifully carries his tune through the winding streets of Alto, Ohio. Lentil masters his craft just as the beloved Colonel Carter returns to town and the Alto residents decide to plan a special celebration. But Old Sneep, the grouchiest man in town, doesn't want anyone...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140502874
• ISBN13: 9780140502879
• Release Date: April 1978
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.1" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Family favorite

Give this book to a boy (along with a Harmonica - of course) and he will LOVE it.

A lovely book that recalls a lost time

This is a great nostalgic book for a middle America that really doesn't exist anymore. A small town in central Ohio supported by a robber baron with a kid who plays the harmonica and runs to school in the morning - it doesn't get anymore nostalgic than that. And the fun of Old Sneep (sucking on a lemon), the great Colonel Carter, and, of course, Lentil (with his harmonica) really makes this a great book. It's also substantive without being too long, which is nice for parents who have to read lots of books to their kids.

Lentil and Robert McCloskey

As a retired preschool/ daycare administrator I never hesitate to say that McCloskey is one the all-time great writers . Lentil has always been one of the best books to read at story time . You can't go wrong with buying this story for your favorite 4 or 5 year old, but even my 9 year old grandsons love this tale, and it got them interested in playing a harmonica!

lovely book and character training

This is a lovely story set in a town in Ohio during the '40s. Lentil learns to play a harmonica and there are sweet scenes of small town life as well as a marching band. My 3.5 year old son loves this book, along with all of McCloskey's books. What has been wonderful for us about this book is the character of "Old Sneep", who grumbles and does mean things. This has really hit home with my son regarding our teaching of having a joyful heart and not complaining. Great literature at its best.

Excellent book for a musically inclined child.

This is an excellent book for the musically inclined child whose singing voice is a little less than melodious. In the book, the vocally challenged Lentil finds his mantra through the harmonica and ends up saving the day with it. My father gave me this book along with a harmonica when I was seven years old in response to my wobbly warbling, and I've been playing harmonica and many other instruments ever since. I just can't 'harp' enough on how great of inspiration this book was to me and could be for other vocally vexed children. -stephen