The Relatives Came

Title: The Relatives Came
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Publisher: Atheneum
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 28
Genre: Picture Book










Summary:

The relatives from Virginia decide to come visit one year during the summer. They left at four in the morning in their station wagon full to the brim of stuff. They traveled for a long time and thought about their home back in Virginia, but the also thought about their relatives ahead. They ate up all their snacks and they finally pulled into the yard. Then hugging went on for hours! There was some crying, but they just kept on hugging. Once they were in the house it there was laughter and happiness all around... and more hugs! There was a huge supper, and finally people began to settle down. Then it was time for sleeping. The relatives were all over and on top of everyone and everything, it was very interesting. They stayed for weeks and helped around the house and yard, and nobody was worried about Virginia. However, they had to go back at some point. One morning, at 4 AM, they packed up and headed out. The house seemed empty without them! The relatives drove for a long time again and thought of Virginia, but they also missed their family they had left. They got to their home in Virginia and went to bed dreaming of next summer. This books is an adorable and crazy little story of a family reunion. You don't quite get the chaos through the text, but the pictures capture it perfectly. Even driving in the car the relatives have things falling off and things breaking. The facial expressions show how happy they are and how much fun they are having.

My Reaction:

I think this is an adorable story. It reminds me of the family vacations that I've been to. Crazy, and good to be home, but you still had a blast.

Potential Problems:

I did not recognize any potential problems with this story.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to any little kids who loves to read. It's fun to relate to your own family and see what happens.