Pistes d'exploration

Discuss the relationship between the brothers. What is changing and why do you think it is happening? If you have siblings, has this happened to you?

Design and write about your perfect tree house. What would you keep in it? How would you get up there? What construction materials would you use?

Create a list of things that are important to have ready in case of a blackout. How might this list change at different times of the year?

Talk about the activities you do with the members of your family.

Discuss the relationship between the brothers. What is changing and why do you think it is happening? If you have siblings, has this ever happened to you?

Design your perfect tree house. Make a list of the materials and tools needed, and write the different steps needed to build it.

Create a list of things that are important to have ready in case of a blackout. How might this change at different times of the year?

Smoky Night, The Dark, Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, Storybook Homes, Water in the Park: A Book About Water & the Times of the Day, Why Should I Save Energy?

Mots-clés

Picture book , Play , blackout , brothers , changing relationships , community , first-person narration , growing up , power failures , summer

Commentaire descriptif

A boy recalls the excitement of his first summer in his family’s new home. Unadorned language plunges readers into his world, as he dreams up various tree houses for his new backyard. “I told my brother about my tree houses and pretty soon he was drawing his own.... His drawings were really good. He said mine were good too.” Sweet and humorous pen sketches show the boys building a real tree house with their father. “It was the best summer ever.” Children with an older sibling may relate to the brothers’ closeness. They may also recognize the boy’s sense of loss the following summer when his brother “doesn’t even let me in his room anymore.” A blackout changes this, if only for a night. Bright spots from flashlights and candles make shadowy figures visible as neighbours gather in the street. The brother joins the boy in the tree house. “‘Are those the new Sidekick Jimmy comics?’ he asks, finally. ‘I used to love those.’” When the lights come back on the brother stays, playing and reading comics – like the old days. In words and pictures, this book is an authentic and totally engaging portrayal of being young and growing up.