Book Review: The White Curtain
Age Range: 3+
Author: Daniel A. Birchmore
Illustrator: Gail Lucas
Cucumber Island Storytellers
Delaware
ISBN: 1-887813-09-8
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as a gift.
A beautiful white curtain hangs in the window of a fine lady’s home. It is the talk and admiration of the lady and her friends, but one day, it gets blown out the window and has its first taste of adventure. Only to land in a mud pile not far away and be brought back and cleaned, the curtain is not deterred and looks for another chance to get out and see the world. Not long after, it does just that, landing with a family whose children use it as a sail and later as a table cloth. Eventually, the curtain ends up in a second hand store, and who should buy it, but the fine lady. Happy to be home, but not fully satisfied, the curtain again hangs in its window, waiting for another opportunity to fly.
As I read this book, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was perhaps based on a true story of a curtain that the author either owned or recalled as a child. I think perhaps one of the things that stands out about this book is the illustrations and “facial expressions” of the curtain which will likely appeal to children. The expressions just make this curtain seem so warm, friendly, happy, and of course, adventurous. After all, considering it ended up in a mud puddle on its first outing, the curtain displays a great deal of pluck and bravery as it seizes the next opportunity to fly out the window!
The story is straightforward, simple, and easy to follow for young readers. However, the author manages to work in words such as “mahogany” and “luxuriantly” which are less common in children’s books, but provide the opportunity for increasing vocabulary…which is fantastic! Additionally, parents will appreciate the creativity and resourcefulness of the children using the curtain at play and at mealtimes.