Hattie and Hudson

by Chris Van Dusen, Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator)

Overview

“This eloquent, evocative book about compassion is perfect for sparking discussions on prejudice. A sensational choice.” —School Library Journal

Hattie McFadden is a born explorer. Every morning she paddles out in her canoe to discover something new on the lake, singing a little song along the way. When her singing lures a huge mysterious beast from the depths of the lake, everyone in town is terrified—except Hattie, who looks into the creature’s friendly, curious eyes and knows that this is no monster. She befriends the giant and names him Hudson. But how can she make the frightened, hostile townspeople see that he isn’t scary or dangerous at all? Chris Van Dusen brings his colorful, perspective-bending artwork to this satisfying story about acceptance, friendship, and sticking up for those who are different.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536217384
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	102,071
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chris Van Dusen is the creator of many outstanding books for children, including The Circus Ship and Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit. He is also the illustrator of President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett and the best-selling Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo. He lives in Maine.

Editorial Reviews

Van Dusen's…sleekly painted lake is a midsummer day's dream: saturated greens, glimmering blue water and little red boats you're dying to take for a spin.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

Van Dusen’s (‘The Circus Ship’) sleekly painted lake is a midsummer day’s dream: saturated greens, glimmering blue water and little red boats you’re dying to take for a spin.
—The New York Times Book Review

The gouache illustrations are filled with details that bring light and life to the pages, from each water droplet to every rolled-up sleeve. Hudson, although enormous, is drawn with expressive eyes and a lovely green hue that reflects the stars in the sky...Outdoor enthusiasts will celebrate this brave young heroine as she schools the town on acceptance.
—Kirkus Reviews

Van Dusen’s stunning illustrations offer unique perspectives, from an aerial view of Hattie first making eye contact with two glowing eyes beneath the silvery water to a vertical spread of Hudson triumphantly emerging in the sunlight with Hattie perched on his head...This eloquent, evocative book about compassion is perfect for sparking discussions on prejudice. A sensational choice for a seasonal storytime.
—School Library Journal

The story’s message—don’t judge by appearances—is gently delivered in a tale just right for one- on-one sharing.
—Booklist

Chris Van Dusen brings his colorful, perspective-bending artwork to this satisfying new story about acceptance, friendship, and sticking up for those who are different.
—A Mighty Girl (blog)

The evocative illustrations, and timeless themes of acceptance, friendship and being an upstander will resonate with young readers, and provide a good jumping off point for conversations about courage and kindness.
—Baltimore Sun

Told through Chris Van Dusen's signature lively illustrations, Hattie & Hudson is a delightful summer read full of wonder and heart.
—Bill Grace, Buttonwood Books & Toys, Cohasset, Mass.

From the Publisher

05/01/2017
K-Gr 3—Hattie McFadden is a young explorer who loves canoeing on a nearby lake. As she contentedly paddles along, she hums a happy tune. The girl's cheerful singing intrigues a lonely green monster, who ventures out from his deep and dark watery lair. Curious, the gentle giant gazes into Hattie's eyes and joins in the song, "harmonizing with a low rumble." While the other townspeople react with fear and loathing, Hattie befriends the peaceful creature and names him Hudson. When a town hall meeting is organized to get rid of "the Deadly Beast," Hattie is distressed and sagely says, "If only they knew him." Together, Hattie and Hudson devise a plan to dispel misconceptions. Van Dusen's stunning illustrations offer unique perspectives, from an aerial view of Hattie first making eye contact with two glowing eyes beneath the silvery water to a vertical spread of Hudson triumphantly emerging in the sunlight with Hattie perched on his head. VERDICT This eloquent, evocative book about compassion is perfect for sparking discussions on prejudice. A sensational choice for a seasonal storytime.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.

School Library Journal

2017-02-14
A lanky, little explorer paddles her canoe on a lake and inadvertently sings up a huge, green beast. All the other boaters scatter in a panicked frenzy, but later that night, under a moonlit sky, Hattie McFadden returns to the middle of the still lake. Without the distraction of motor boats, the white redhead takes the time to befriend Hudson. The next day, the townsfolk meet to suggest ways to get rid of "the Deadly Beast." Dismayed, Hattie thinks, "If only they knew him." The two new friends put together a plan to convince the town of Hudson's kindness. Hattie bravely finds her voice and makes an announcement to the town: "This lake is his home, and I think he deserves to stay. Once you get to know him, I'm sure you'll agree." The glory of lakeshore life is celebrated as idyllic, with lush forests and hills and cool blue water. An undercurrent of environmentalism is present in the symbolic canoe compared to motorboats, and the message of getting to know strangers is a timely one. The gouache illustrations are filled with details that bring light and life to the pages, from each water droplet to every rolled-up sleeve. Hudson, although enormous, is drawn with expressive eyes and a lovely green hue that reflects the stars in the sky, and Van Dusen expertly takes advantage of perspective and composition to make sure readers remember at all times exactly how huge Hudson is. Outdoor enthusiasts will celebrate this brave young heroine as she schools the town on acceptance. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews