SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Pearl's & Ruby's
  • Politics in Practice
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • *Best New Books*
    • Annual Best Lists
  • Reviews
    • One Star Review
    • Nonfiction
    • Toon Reviews
  • Articles
    • Authors
    • Link Du Jour
  • Covers
    • Covering the Newbery
    • Cover Curiosity
    • Unfortunate Covers
  • News
    • Books on Film
    • Morning Notes
  • Newsletter

June 21, 2011 by Travis Jonker

Review: Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo

June 21, 2011 by Travis Jonker   3 comments

Melvin and the Boy
By Lauren Castillo
Henry Holt (Macmillan)
ISBN: 9780805089295
$16.99
Grades PreK-2
In Stores July 5, 2011

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

*Best New Book*

For many children, a first pet brings with it some of the earliest exposure to responsibility. While kids have minor obligations from an early age, the idea of caring for something that could, you know, die if left unattended makes the first pet a childhood landmark. Perhaps this is why so many children’s books have been written on the topic. In the 21st century, the concept has been frequently turned on its head, with books like Children Make Terrible Pets and A Pet for Petunia as recent examples. But Melvin and the Boy plays it straight. In her first work as both illustrator and author, Lauren Castillo delivers a simple story set to outstanding illustrations.

The “Boy” in the title is our unnamed protagonist, and there’s something missing in his life. Namely, a pet. Other kids have one, but the boy’s parents pooh-pooh a dog, a bird, and a monkey as too big, too noisy, and too much work. When the boy finds a turtle at the park, his parents agree to let their son keep him. He is christened Melvin and brought home. But it soon becomes clear that Melvin isn’t eager to play the role of the dutiful pet. In fact, he won’t even come out of his shell. After failed attempts at feeding, walking, and socializing, the boy realizes that his first pet might be better off back home. The next day he releases the turtle back into the pond, promising to visit soon.

The text is a strong point, as Castillo does wonders with an extremely small word count. Succinct, yet crystal clear, this is a book that will work with very young children.

The illustrations put Melvin and the Boy squarely into Caldecott territory. Castillo uses a unique acetone transfer with markers and watercolor, and the results are gorgeous. The composition of each illustration is masterful, and the spreads are especially memorable, bursting with subtle skill.

One of my favorites of the year so far. Here’s hoping Melvin and the Boy gets the notice it deserves. A first pet book to remember.

Review copy from publisher

Visit Lauren Castillo’s blog to see early cover sketches for Melvin and the Boy

Read a 2008 interview with Lauren Castillo at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Also reviewed by Waking Brain Cells.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Filed under: *Best New Books*, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Henry HoltMacmillanPicture Bookreview

About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

A Fuse #8 Production

Throw Wide Those Cemetery Gates: Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio Discuss The Invisible Parade

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain | This Week’s Comics

by Lori Henderson

Heavy Medal

Our Mock Newbery List is Up to 52 Titles

by Steven Engelfried

Politics in Practice

When Book Bans are a Form of Discrimination, What is the Path to Justice?

by John Chrastka

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Teen MakerSpace: DIY Stickers, High Tech

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Yarn

How Colby Sharp Celebrates Reading with Students

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

14 Videos to Spark Engagement in Elementary, Middle Grade, and High School Classrooms

The Purple Crayon on the Big Screen | Opinion

14 Videos to Educate and Inspire Classrooms | Multimedia Video Reviews

Four Breezy YA Summer Reads for Fans of 'Along for the Ride' on Netflix | Read-Alikes

10 Films to Ignite Classroom Discussion | Multimedia Video Reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Stanek says

    June 22, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I have always felt that Lauren’s work shines with a Caldecott quality. Her illustrations are beautiful to adults and so appealing to children. And now she writes as well! Brilliant work, Lauren!

  2. Jessica A. says

    June 22, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Lauren is an amazing artist! I love how her style shines through every one of her illustrations. Her drawings tell a beautiful story.

  3. Colby says

    July 24, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Just picked this book up from the library. It is my favorite picture book that I have read so far this year. It is beautiful!

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • Author/Illustrator Blogs

    • Erin Stead Illustration
    • Hey, Rabbit!
    • James Preller's Blog
    • MATTHEWCORDELLBLOGS
    • Mo Willems Doodles
    • The Scop
  • Book Blogs I Like

    • A Book and a Hug
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • A Kids Book a Day
    • A Year of Reading
    • Abby (the) Librarian
    • Awful Library Books
    • Becky’s Book Reviews
    • Better Book Titles
    • Book-A-Day Almanac
    • Bookends
    • books4yourkids.com
    • bookshelves of doom
    • Bottom Shelf Books
    • Calling Caldecott
    • Caustic Cover Critic
    • Chad C. Beckerman
    • Charlotte’s Library
    • Cheryl Rainfield
    • Chicken Spaghetti
    • CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATION
    • Collecting Children’s Books
    • Cybils
    • EarlyWord
    • educating alice
    • Finding Wonderland
    • For Those About to Mock
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Good Show Sir
    • GottaBook
    • Great Kid Books
    • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
    • Hi Miss Julie!
    • Jen Robinson’s Book Page
    • Kidsmomo
    • Maria T. Middleton Design
    • Nerdy Book Club
    • Neverending Search
    • Nine Kinds of Pie
    • One Book, Two Books, Old Books, New Books
    • Out of the Box
    • Oz and Ends
    • PlanetEsme
    • Read Roger
    • Reading Rants!
    • Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
    • sharpread
    • ShelfTalker
    • so tomorrow
    • The Children's Book Review
    • The Miss Rumphius Effect
    • Uncovered Cover Art
    • Waking Brain Cells
    • Watch. Connect. Read.
  • Library Blogs

    • ALSC Blog
    • Blue Skunk Blog
    • librarian.net
    • LISNews
    • Stephen's Lighthouse
    • Tame The Web: Libraries and Technology
    • Tame The Web: Libraries and Technology
    • Unshelved
  • Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books 2024
    • 2024 Stars So Far
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Pearls & Rubys
    • Politics in Practice
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • Reasons to Love Libraries
    • 2025 Youth Media Awards
    • Defending the Canon:SLJ & NCTE Review 15 Banned Classics
    • Refreshing the Canon Booklist
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Read Free Poster
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2025


    COPYRIGHT © 2025