Mr. George Baker

by Amy Hest

Book Overview

Harry sits on the porch with Mr. Joe Baker, an African American who is one hundred years old but can still dance and play the drums, waiting for the school bus that will take them both to the class where they are learning to read. Ages 4+.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763612332
• ISBN13: 9780763612337
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 11.2"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Priceless

This book is a very great book with deep meaning. It shows the similarities (i.e. they are both learning to read) between a young child and a man who is supposedly 100 years old. The soft water colors flow great with the laid-back nature of the story. Anyone who is looking for a good story to read at any time, I suggest picking this book up. You will not be disappointed.

Utterly compelling

This powerful yet gentle picture book tells a marvellously uplifting and hopeful story. Centenarian George Baker is learning to read, just like his much younger neighbor Harry. Their commonality of purpose, along with the innocence of Harry's simple straightforward point of view, speaks volumes for the case of equality of opportunity. George's musical fame is secondary to Harry; he's happy enough knowing he has a friend to ride the bus with and who is tackling the same challenge as he is. Crossing racial and generational lines, this fine story shows that we are all equal before the vast mountain of dreams and ambition, that learning is a laudable goal regardless of one's circumstance or history, and that hope and confidence are universal. George and Harry quietly exude pride and sureness, and we as readers feel moved to cheer them on. This is simply a fantastic book!

Wonderful book for teaching literacy!

In this charming story, a 100-year old man, Mr. George Baker, decides to learn to read alongside his little friend Harry. The road is hard, but the message clear: you're never too old to try. I teach 12th grade literature, and I read this story to my students in the first week of school. My students respond to the sweet and powerful writing with rapt attention and respect. The story never fails to get them talking about the importance of literacy. Thank you Ms. Hest!

This is an excellent story.

I bought this because it was recommended by a book club I'm part of; it turned out to be a great investment. The story is written like music ~ there is a rhythm in it that is just really enjoyable. My son (4.5 y.o.) particularly loves the end -- "Tappitty-boom, tappitty-boom..." Although the underlying message (you're never too old to learn) is lost on him at his age, I have no doubt that eventually it will stick. For now, he usually just enjoys the beauty of the illustrations and the musical flow of the story's words.

One of the Best Books of 2004

I loved reading this book about the friendship between a young boy and his 100-year old neighbor, both of whom are learning to read. The prose is rhythmic, jazzy, and fun to read, and the watercolor illustrations display great texture, dimension, and emotion. Although the situation is dramatic, the author and the illustrator take their time telling the story. There are no explosive moments or insights, just the little details of the everyday, set against a larger background of recent American history. Harry notices Mr. Baker's crumpled shoes and how they're always tied, the suspenders of his pants, and how the leaves float and swoop in the chilly morning air (the two sitting on porch, hugging their knees) as they wait for the schoolbus. Mr. Baker's wife comes out, and in two subtle but evocative pages Hest and Muth suggest their relationship. Against a soft as memory background of a New Orleans style jazz band, we discover that George Baker "is a drummer man, and some people say he's famous." After the bus delivers them to school, Mr. Baker and the school children sit comfortably together with a common goal: "'We can do it,' says George after school... his lips sound out the letters. Real slow. But his fingers fly across his knees. Like a big old drum." Telling a simple but beautiful story with heart and dignity, this book can be appreciated by readers (and almost-readers) of just about any age. Great production values by publisher Candlewick: Thick paper, easily read letters in "Integrity" font, and big, easy-going pictures. Very highly recommended!