Whistle for Willie

by Ezra Jack Keats

Book Overview

Since it was first published in 1964, Whistle for Willie has delighted millions of young readers with its simple writing and its striking collage artwork depicting the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog. The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Keats's illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world, and the shimmering heat of a summer's day."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670762407
• ISBN13: 9780670762408
• Release Date: September 1964
• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.3" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

We love Peter!

I know Ezra Jack Keats is best known for "Snowy day" which also stars the adorable Peter but for me "Whistle for Willie" is where its really at. I grew up with this book and I never forgot it while I was growing up. I always prided myself on my whistling skills and I remember how important it was for me to learn and how I would practice and practice and the glee I felt when I finally heard that little sound. It's just a wonderful story of a small boy living in the inner city and his desire to be able to whistle and his dog come running! I never get tired of this book when I read it, its for both of us! It's just so nostalgic!

Willie

Charming book. Keats is among the best. Two and three year-old grandchildren love it.

finally, a book my one year old and I both enjoy

I love Keats' beautiful collage-style illustrations. As an urban apartment dweller, I also appreciate a book that shows children living in cities and in apartments. The stereotypical "house" that appears in most children's books looks nothing like the home my daughter knows. My one-year-old daughter loves finding the dog on different pages. I do the whistling for Peter and she does the barking for Willie. One day we read the book inside a cardboard box like the one Peter hides in in the book, and she thought that was great.

He tried and tried . . . .

but NOTHING came out! Whistle for Willie, oh what a JOY! This was one of the very first books that I read to my boys when they were in the high chair! What fun we had trying to whistle, just like Peter, blowing and blowing, but NOTHING CAME OUT! You see, my son's name is Peter, just like the little boy in the story, and so I started to collect books with little boys named Peter. Besides appealing to HIM, however, this book has inter-generational appeal. The rhythm and cadence appealed to my son, but the family's warmth and genuine love for each other appealed to me.A little boy goes about his daily routine, all the while trying to learn how to whistle. "Oh, how Peter wished he could whistle!" We enjoy tracing a chalk line with him, trying on Daddy's hat, and walking to the store. And when he finally whistles, well, don't we ALL just feel proud? Yep!Colorful collages illustrate this Ezra Jack Keats classic, and I am sure you will "Whistle for Willie" again and again, because this is a story that BEGS to be read over and over!

Peter's Quest

I grew up in the 60's and fondly remember the school librarian reading Ezra Jack Keats "The Snowy Day" to us as snow fell outside. We were glued to every page and every word. Keats' books stir the imagination. "Whistle for Willie" is another timeless classic from the award winning author. My 3-year-old son could not get enough of this book from the time he was old enough to pull it from the bookcase. The pictures are fun and imaginative, and the text puts you right in Peter's meandering, carefree world. Almost every boy wishes for a dog like Willie, and can relate to Peter's quest..."Oh, how Peter wished he could whistle..."!