{"id":20180,"date":"2013-10-20T21:22:01","date_gmt":"2013-10-21T01:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=20180"},"modified":"2013-10-20T21:22:01","modified_gmt":"2013-10-21T01:22:01","slug":"review-of-the-mighty-lalouche-by-matthew-olshan-and-sophie-blackall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=20180","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Mighty Lalouche, by Matthew Olshan and Sophie Blackall"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Mighty Lalouche<\/em><\/p>\n

by Matthew Olshan
\nillustrated by Sophie Blackall<\/p>\n

Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013. 40 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Magnifique!<\/em><\/p>\n

One hundred and a few-odd years ago, in Paris, France, there lived a humble postman named Lalouche. He was small, Lalouche, and rather bony, but his hands were nimble, his legs were fast, and his arms were strong.<\/p>\n

For company, he kept a finch named Genevi\u00e8ve.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When Lalouche loses his job because the postal service wants to use the new electric cars, he sees an ad for boxers. Lalouche is much smaller than the other boxers, but he overwhelms them with his speed and agility, and wins every time.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a final showdown with The Anaconda, but Lalouche takes up the cry, \u201cFor country, mail, and Genevi\u00e8ve!\u201d<\/p>\n

However, despite all Lalouche\u2019s surprising success, stationery stores with envelopes and stamps still make him sad. The happy ending turns that all around and makes the reader think about what success really means.<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s all a charming story. There are even photos in the back and an author\u2019s note that French boxing was actually like that \u2013 where speed and agility could win out over muscle and bulk.<\/p>\n

But what makes this book over-the-top wonderful are the cut-out illustrations by Sophie Blackall. (Well, okay, and the way the story is perfectly paced to match them.) They have amazing attention to detail and wonderfully give the feel of nineteenth-century France. Let me strongly encourage you to check out this book and look at the pictures yourself. I have little doubt you\u2019ll be charmed as well.<\/p>\n

I am going to feature this book in a \u201cFamily Storytime\u201d at the library. It\u2019s too much fun to keep to myself.<\/p>\n

For country, mail, and Genevi\u00e8ve!<\/p>\n

matthewolshan.com<\/a>
\nsophieblackall.com<\/a>
\nrandomhouse.com\/kids<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/mighty_lalouche.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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