Oscar's American dream

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Title:

Oscar's American dream

Author:

Wittenstein, Barry, author.

Howdeshell, Kristen, illustrator.

Howdeshell, Kevin, illustrator.

Summary:

In 1899, an immigrant named Oscar opens a barbershop and a century later, after becoming a lady's clothing store, soup kitchen, bodega, and more, the building is torn down but Oscar's legacy remains. Includes historical notes.

Audience:

Ages 4-8. Schwartz & Wade Books.

Grades K-1. Schwartz & Wade Books.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm

Genre:

Historical fiction.

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Stores, Retail -- Juvenile fiction.

Change -- Juvenile fiction.

Geographic Term:

United States -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Howdeshell, Kristen,

Howdeshell, Kevin,

Publisher:

Schwartz & Wade Books,

Publication Date:

2020

ISBN:

9780525707691

9780525707707

Publication Information:

New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, [2020]

Call Number:

P WITTENSTEIN

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003486498	Picture Books	WITTENSTEIN	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

If you want to see 20th century American history unfold before your eyes, stand on a city street corner and watch it change! It all starts when an immigrant named Oscar opens a barber shop...

When Oscar lands on Ellis Island, he has only a suitcase and a down payment in his hands. And he has a dream-- to own his own barbershop. After it opens on the corner of Front St. and Second Ave, Oscar's barbershop becomes a beloved local fixture... until the day Oscar decides to move on and become a subway conductor. Over the years, this barbershop will change hands to become a lady's clothing store, then a soup kitchen. A coffee shop follows, then the space becomes an army recruitment center, then a candy shop. As the years pass and the world changes, the proud corner store stands tall, watching American history unfold around it. Barry Wittenstein and debut husband-and-wife illustration team Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell tell the rich, fascinating story of key moments in American history, as reflected through the eyes--and the patrons--of the corner store.

Author Notes

Barry Wittenstein is the author of Waiting for Pumpsie , which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews . His follow-up picture book, The Boo-Boos That Changed the World , also received a starred review from Kirkus and was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. His upcoming titles include Sonny's Bridge , illustrated by Keith Mallett and A Place to Land , illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Barry resides in New York City. Visit him on the web at onedogwoof.com and follow him on Twitter at @bwittbooks.

Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell are a husband-and-wife-illustrator duo based in Kansas City. They have their own studio, The Brave Union, and have taken on the freelance world or illustration, working on projects for magazines, packaging, t-shirts, educational purposes, and now, children's books. This is their first picture book. Visit them on the web at thebraveunion.com and find them on Instagram @thebraveunion.

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 1--4--The store at the corner of Front Street and 2nd Avenue takes center stage in a book that brings readers along through 100 years of history against the background of just one building. It all begins with Oskar, an Ellis Island immigrant, who opens a barber shop there. When Oscar, now sporting an Americanized spelling of his first name, moves on to pursue another path, the building's use changes as well. Each passing chapter in American history is depicted through a change in the corner store's owners and their unique American dreams. The illustrations, pen and pencil drawings (hand drawn and digitally rendered) in muted tones, add depth to the story with detailed imagery that breaths life into the ever-changing corner store. The story line is reflective of a mostly Eurocentric American experience; until Moises, who is Puerto Rican, appears later in the text, the shop owners are all white. Supporting illustrations depict a higher degree of diversity in the population. VERDICT An interesting fictional lens through which to view history but an additional purchase for most school libraries.--Jessica Caron, Bancroft Sch., MA