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June 29, 1999
The lively imagination of Caldecott medalist David Wiesner forecasts astounding goings-on for a Tuesday in the not too distant future -- an occurrence of gigantic vegetal proportions.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
David Wiesner
61 books612 followersDuring David Wiesner's formative years, the last images he saw before closing his eyes at night were the books, rockets, elephant heads, clocks, and magnifying glasses that decorated the wallpaper of his room. Perhaps it was this decor which awakened his creativity and gave it the dreamlike, imaginative quality so often found in his work.
As a child growing up in suburban New Jersey, Wiesner re-created his world daily in his imagination. His home and his neighborhood became anything from a faraway planet to a prehistoric jungle. When the everyday play stopped, he would follow his imaginary playmates into the pages of books, wandering among dinosaurs in the World Book Encyclopedia. The images before him generated a love of detail, an admiration for the creative process, and a curiosity about the hand behind the drawings.
In time, the young Wiesner began exploring the history of art, delving into the Renaissance at first — Michelangelo, Dürer, and da Vinci — then moving on to such surrealists as Magritte, de Chirico, and Dalí. As he got older, he would sit, inspired by these masters, at the oak drafting table his father had found for him and would construct new worlds on paper and create wordless comic books, such as Slop the Wonder Pig, and silent movies, like his kung fu vampire film The Saga of Butchula.
Wiesner has always been intrigued by and curious about what comes before and after the captured image. His books somehow convey the sequence of thoughts leading up to and following each picture, and that quality explain why they are frequently described as cinematic.
At the Rhode Island School of Design, Wiesner was able to commit himself to the full-time study of art and to explore further his passion for wordless storytelling. There he met two people who would figure prominently in his life: Tom Sgouros, to whom Tuesday is dedicated, and David Macaulay, to whom The Three Pigs is dedicated. These two men not only taught Wiesner the fundamentals of drawing and painting but also fostered his imaginative spirit and helped him comprehend the world around him. Sgouros's and Macaulay's artistic influences were vital to Wiesner's development into the acclaimed picture-book author he is today.
David Wiesner has illustrated more than twenty award-winning books for young readers. Two of the picture books he both wrote and illustrated became instant classics when they won the prestigious Caldecott Medal: Tuesday in 1992 and The Three Pigs in 2002. Two of his other titles, Sector 7 and Free Fall, are Caldecott Honor Books. An exhibit of Wiesner's original artwork, "Seeing the Story," toured the United States in 2000 and 2001. Among his many honors, Wiesner holds the Japan Picture Book Award for Tuesday, the Prix Sorcières (the French equivalent of the Caldecott Medal) for The Three Pigs, and a 2004 IBBY Honour Book nomination for illustration, also for The Three Pigs. Flotsam, his most recent work, was a New York Times bestseller and was recently named winner of the 2007 Caldecott Medal, making Wiesner only the second person in the award’s long history to have won three times.
Wiesner lives with his wife and their son and daughter in the Philadelphia area, where he continues to create dreamlike and inventive images for books.
As a child growing up in suburban New Jersey, Wiesner re-created his world daily in his imagination. His home and his neighborhood became anything from a faraway planet to a prehistoric jungle. When the everyday play stopped, he would follow his imaginary playmates into the pages of books, wandering among dinosaurs in the World Book Encyclopedia. The images before him generated a love of detail, an admiration for the creative process, and a curiosity about the hand behind the drawings.
In time, the young Wiesner began exploring the history of art, delving into the Renaissance at first — Michelangelo, Dürer, and da Vinci — then moving on to such surrealists as Magritte, de Chirico, and Dalí. As he got older, he would sit, inspired by these masters, at the oak drafting table his father had found for him and would construct new worlds on paper and create wordless comic books, such as Slop the Wonder Pig, and silent movies, like his kung fu vampire film The Saga of Butchula.
Wiesner has always been intrigued by and curious about what comes before and after the captured image. His books somehow convey the sequence of thoughts leading up to and following each picture, and that quality explain why they are frequently described as cinematic.
At the Rhode Island School of Design, Wiesner was able to commit himself to the full-time study of art and to explore further his passion for wordless storytelling. There he met two people who would figure prominently in his life: Tom Sgouros, to whom Tuesday is dedicated, and David Macaulay, to whom The Three Pigs is dedicated. These two men not only taught Wiesner the fundamentals of drawing and painting but also fostered his imaginative spirit and helped him comprehend the world around him. Sgouros's and Macaulay's artistic influences were vital to Wiesner's development into the acclaimed picture-book author he is today.
David Wiesner has illustrated more than twenty award-winning books for young readers. Two of the picture books he both wrote and illustrated became instant classics when they won the prestigious Caldecott Medal: Tuesday in 1992 and The Three Pigs in 2002. Two of his other titles, Sector 7 and Free Fall, are Caldecott Honor Books. An exhibit of Wiesner's original artwork, "Seeing the Story," toured the United States in 2000 and 2001. Among his many honors, Wiesner holds the Japan Picture Book Award for Tuesday, the Prix Sorcières (the French equivalent of the Caldecott Medal) for The Three Pigs, and a 2004 IBBY Honour Book nomination for illustration, also for The Three Pigs. Flotsam, his most recent work, was a New York Times bestseller and was recently named winner of the 2007 Caldecott Medal, making Wiesner only the second person in the award’s long history to have won three times.
Wiesner lives with his wife and their son and daughter in the Philadelphia area, where he continues to create dreamlike and inventive images for books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews
September 10, 2020
I love David Wiesner and this book is one of the reasons why. It is similar to 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs', a great book, but this is David's spin on veggies falling to Earth. He sets up expectations so we think we know why it's happening. I love the ending. This had me laughing out loud and it simply delighted me all around. It's been awhile since a book really impressed me.
I love the artwork. A girl is doing an experiment by putting seeds in a box with a weather balloon. She is sending them up into the ionosphere to see what happens to them. How cool? Then huge veggies begin gently setting down all over the country. My favorite part is how he rhymes the veggies with towns across the country. He finds some interesting names in the country. I love that creativity. "Artichokes advance on Anchorage" or >Lima beans loom over Levittown". That tickles me. The Avocados land in Vermont so the loggers can cut up the giant veggie.
I suppose literal and logical kids might not like this as it's surreal and fantastical, but I think most children are going to love this delightful story.
I love the artwork. A girl is doing an experiment by putting seeds in a box with a weather balloon. She is sending them up into the ionosphere to see what happens to them. How cool? Then huge veggies begin gently setting down all over the country. My favorite part is how he rhymes the veggies with towns across the country. He finds some interesting names in the country. I love that creativity. "Artichokes advance on Anchorage" or >Lima beans loom over Levittown". That tickles me. The Avocados land in Vermont so the loggers can cut up the giant veggie.
I suppose literal and logical kids might not like this as it's surreal and fantastical, but I think most children are going to love this delightful story.
August 10, 2019
A girl creates a science experiment that involves floating vegetables up to the sky. An unexpected result occurs with a surprise ending.
July 15, 2021
29 September 2007
Vegetables. Big ones.
***
2009 March 31
Oh, how this book amuses us. I want a broccoli tree house.
***
29 May 2017
Even though I know what's coming, I'm still surprised and delighted each time.
***
16 June 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
This is why Wiesner is so awesome: "enormous vegetables gently drifting down to earth" seems like a cool idea. Full stop.
He is generally enamored of flying things which should not fly. They're surreal in a non-threatening, amusing sort of way. Whimsical AF.
Library copy
Vegetables. Big ones.
***
2009 March 31
Oh, how this book amuses us. I want a broccoli tree house.
***
29 May 2017
Even though I know what's coming, I'm still surprised and delighted each time.
***
16 June 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
This is why Wiesner is so awesome: "enormous vegetables gently drifting down to earth" seems like a cool idea. Full stop.
He is generally enamored of flying things which should not fly. They're surreal in a non-threatening, amusing sort of way. Whimsical AF.
Library copy
June 17, 2009
Flotsam was the first David Wiesner book I read and so far it remains my favorite. I have enjoyed most of his books and this one was excellent. It’s an unusual Wiesner in that there’s significant text, but the illustrations are amazing and on their own are able to tell the bulk of this story.
I love vegetables and I’ve never seen them in a story in such a creative and fantastic way, fantastic with every meaning of that word. I really enjoyed the humor; there’s probably more that I found funny here than in any other Wiesner book I’ve read thus far. This is my fifth Wiesner book and, despite those initially disconcerting words, I think it’s my second favorite of this author’s, which is very high praise. I’m happy to see other Wiesner books I’ve yet to read, and I assume and hope that he continues to illustrate/write these wonderful books.
I love vegetables and I’ve never seen them in a story in such a creative and fantastic way, fantastic with every meaning of that word. I really enjoyed the humor; there’s probably more that I found funny here than in any other Wiesner book I’ve read thus far. This is my fifth Wiesner book and, despite those initially disconcerting words, I think it’s my second favorite of this author’s, which is very high praise. I’m happy to see other Wiesner books I’ve yet to read, and I assume and hope that he continues to illustrate/write these wonderful books.
June 14, 2017
3.5 out of 5
A bizarre story reported in a matter-of-fact tone and gorgeous illustrations:
And in case you wonder, yes, June 29, 1999 was Tuesday :)
A bizarre story reported in a matter-of-fact tone and gorgeous illustrations:
And in case you wonder, yes, June 29, 1999 was Tuesday :)
Read
July 14, 2008Magical Realist elements in picture books -- see http://bigblogofmarvel.blogspot.com/s... Wiesner
February 22, 2009
Ohmygosh! This book is just so absurd. I love it! The fun words are great for kids, too, "Artichokes over Alaska" "Parsnips in Providence."
January 24, 2020
I'm glad I read this book - I had almost given up on liking any of Wiesner's titles. But this one I understood, and I really enjoyed the comical turn the book took!
Ages: 4 - 8
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Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
February 24, 2013
Third-grader Holly Evans has an ambitious science project planned: launching vegetable seedlings into the sky. Weeks later, on June 29, 1999, giant vegetables begin appearing in the sky all over the world. Lima beans, parsnips, cabbage—name the vegetable, and it was landing somewhere on Earth. But, as Holly quickly realizes, some of the vegetables were not part of her experiment, which begs the question of whose giant vegetables are falling from the sky?
At that beginning of the story, the plot of enormous vegetables floating around the atmosphere requires the suspension of disbelief, but due to Holly’s experiment, there is a sense that the preposterous event is possible. However, right at the end, the point of view and the setting shifts drastically, and by taking the story out of the realistic setting, the reader is given an explanation befitting the outrageous circumstance.
As a fan of Wiesner’s work, I know he is never afraid to dive into the absurd and unusual with his picture books, using minimal words and evocative illustrations to convey fantastical situations. What truly makes this book stand out for me is the high level of detail in the illustrations, especially of Holly and her environment, all of which indicate how serious she is about her grand school project.
At that beginning of the story, the plot of enormous vegetables floating around the atmosphere requires the suspension of disbelief, but due to Holly’s experiment, there is a sense that the preposterous event is possible. However, right at the end, the point of view and the setting shifts drastically, and by taking the story out of the realistic setting, the reader is given an explanation befitting the outrageous circumstance.
As a fan of Wiesner’s work, I know he is never afraid to dive into the absurd and unusual with his picture books, using minimal words and evocative illustrations to convey fantastical situations. What truly makes this book stand out for me is the high level of detail in the illustrations, especially of Holly and her environment, all of which indicate how serious she is about her grand school project.
February 15, 2017
This book is in the science fiction genre. Holly Evans is doing a science experiment. She launches vegetable seeds into the sky. She plans to study the effects of extra-terrestrial conditions on vegetable growth and development. Soon giant airborne vegetables start turning up all over the country and launching to the ground. But then Holly figures out that these vegetables aren't the ones from her experiment because they include many vegetables she didn't have. She discovers that the vegetables came from the ionosphere. The starcruiser, Alula Borealis, was touring a planet when the cook threw out all their food and the vegetables drifted toward the planet below.
While I liked the illustrations in this book, I felt the story line was lacking. I don't believe it would hold a child's interest.
While I liked the illustrations in this book, I felt the story line was lacking. I don't believe it would hold a child's interest.
February 14, 2010
This story looks at a young scientist that decides to float some vegetables around to eventually land and plant. She ends up trading vegetables unknowingly with a spaceship. She knows something is up when vegetables she didn't plant start landing.
I liked this far fetched story. I think it would be great for helping kids wonder and become curious about so many topics - space, flight, plant growth, etc. The illustrations were interesting and large. They told the story are much as the words.
I would use this in younger classroom especially as a read aloud. We could discuss what kind of vegetables they would want to send out, lead into science lessons, or a discussion about healthy eating.
I liked this far fetched story. I think it would be great for helping kids wonder and become curious about so many topics - space, flight, plant growth, etc. The illustrations were interesting and large. They told the story are much as the words.
I would use this in younger classroom especially as a read aloud. We could discuss what kind of vegetables they would want to send out, lead into science lessons, or a discussion about healthy eating.
June 4, 2011
This is wonderful! As I love both vegetables and the surreal, June 29, 1999 was perfect for me. The illustrations will make you believe in the impossible.
Published in 1995, June imagines a not-too-distant future in which enormous vegetables float gracefully to the ground. Actually, since the real 1999 saw the mass popularity of ridiculous, plant-excluding fad diets, it probably would have benefited America’s health a great deal if this had actually happened.
Published in 1995, June imagines a not-too-distant future in which enormous vegetables float gracefully to the ground. Actually, since the real 1999 saw the mass popularity of ridiculous, plant-excluding fad diets, it probably would have benefited America’s health a great deal if this had actually happened.
August 4, 2010
A cute story about a girl's science project involving interstellar vegetable seedlings, and you can't stop mining the illustrations for unseen details.
October 5, 2017
Creative! Gorgeous and imaginative illustrations.
December 27, 2017
First I found by Weisner and fell in love with his work! Just plain awesome!
September 6, 2020
Another wordless masterpiece by Wiesner.
August 16, 2022
My daughter read this & liked the illustrations; I was intrigued by the title. An imaginative story that made me want a salad. You’ll see.
October 10, 2016
After picking this book up at the library and skimming through the first few pages, I knew immediately I had to read it. The illustrations are simply amazing and just a quick glance will entice you to see what this story is all about. The book in question is children's fantasy, June 29, 1999 by author and award winning illustrator David Wiesner. This book is recommended for third graders but could be read aloud to any K-3rd grade class and will be sure to get your students creative juices flowing.
June 29,1999 tells the story of New Jersey native and third grade science enthusiast Holly Evans. For her science class experiment, Holly has decided to launch vegetable seeds into the sky for the purpose of studying their growth and development in extraterrestrial conditions. Very impressive for a third grader I must say!! Little does Holly or anyone else for that matter, know that vegetables are about to take over the country! A little over a month after Holly launches her seeds into space, do enormous vegetables start hovering and falling down from the sky. Gigantic turnips start rolling down the Rocky Mountains, while lettuce comes crashing down on Iowa. Even broccoli lands in Holly's backyard. Holly and the rest of the country are enthralled by these enormous vegetables, which are now being used for trading among states and even housing in North Carolina. Holly who believes she has created this phenomenon, starts to question herself after vegetables appear that were not part of her science experiment. As more and more vegetables that were not part of Holly's science experiment appear, she realizes her experiment is not the reason these vegetables appeared in the first place and now wonders where her vegetables went. By the end of the story and in a highly entertaining surprise ending, we learn that aliens in the ionosphere accidentally launched their vegetables into space, which are now headed for earth. Now worried that they have lost their food supply, the aliens come to a relief when they see Holly Evan's vegetables floating around their spaceship.
June 29,1999 can be used in the classroom to help inspire and motivate students. Many elementary schools have a yearly science fair. I believe by reading this book aloud to your students before the fair, would help entice them. I for one was never a fan of science during my elementary school years, but if I had read this book during that time, I believe I would have been more engaged and interested during the lessons. This book can also be used to help teach a whole new list of vegetables that many K-1st graders will be unfamiliar with. Many K-1st graders will already know what broccoli or a pepper is, but after reading this book they will be introduced to a whole new set of words. Through the story and illustrations they will learn what a turnip, artichoke, parsnip, arugula, eggplant and a rutabaga is. For teachers reading this story to older students, it will expand their vocabulary with a whole new list of synonyms. They will learn and be able to use new sophisticated words in their own vocabulary such as loom,advance,booms, and bolster, just to name a few.
June 29,1999 is a great fantasy book to help introduce children to new vocabulary, synonyms, as well as science in general. The cover illustration alone will be enough to get your students excited about reading this book. For those interested in the genre of fantasy, I recommend checking out David Wiesner's others books at http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/index....
June 29,1999 tells the story of New Jersey native and third grade science enthusiast Holly Evans. For her science class experiment, Holly has decided to launch vegetable seeds into the sky for the purpose of studying their growth and development in extraterrestrial conditions. Very impressive for a third grader I must say!! Little does Holly or anyone else for that matter, know that vegetables are about to take over the country! A little over a month after Holly launches her seeds into space, do enormous vegetables start hovering and falling down from the sky. Gigantic turnips start rolling down the Rocky Mountains, while lettuce comes crashing down on Iowa. Even broccoli lands in Holly's backyard. Holly and the rest of the country are enthralled by these enormous vegetables, which are now being used for trading among states and even housing in North Carolina. Holly who believes she has created this phenomenon, starts to question herself after vegetables appear that were not part of her science experiment. As more and more vegetables that were not part of Holly's science experiment appear, she realizes her experiment is not the reason these vegetables appeared in the first place and now wonders where her vegetables went. By the end of the story and in a highly entertaining surprise ending, we learn that aliens in the ionosphere accidentally launched their vegetables into space, which are now headed for earth. Now worried that they have lost their food supply, the aliens come to a relief when they see Holly Evan's vegetables floating around their spaceship.
June 29,1999 can be used in the classroom to help inspire and motivate students. Many elementary schools have a yearly science fair. I believe by reading this book aloud to your students before the fair, would help entice them. I for one was never a fan of science during my elementary school years, but if I had read this book during that time, I believe I would have been more engaged and interested during the lessons. This book can also be used to help teach a whole new list of vegetables that many K-1st graders will be unfamiliar with. Many K-1st graders will already know what broccoli or a pepper is, but after reading this book they will be introduced to a whole new set of words. Through the story and illustrations they will learn what a turnip, artichoke, parsnip, arugula, eggplant and a rutabaga is. For teachers reading this story to older students, it will expand their vocabulary with a whole new list of synonyms. They will learn and be able to use new sophisticated words in their own vocabulary such as loom,advance,booms, and bolster, just to name a few.
June 29,1999 is a great fantasy book to help introduce children to new vocabulary, synonyms, as well as science in general. The cover illustration alone will be enough to get your students excited about reading this book. For those interested in the genre of fantasy, I recommend checking out David Wiesner's others books at http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/index....
April 9, 2020
In another charming book from David Wiesner this one features text in addition to his signature watercolor illustrations. Holly Evans is a student scientist and is determined to find out what happens to vegetable seedlings when they spend a few weeks in the ionosphere. Much to Holly's surprise giant vegetables appear from the skies not long after she sets her experiment into motion. Are these her vegetable seedlings gone haywire or is there another reason giant veggies have landed all over the country?
Peritextual Features: Bright blue cover with metallic silver embossed vegetable bed and weather balloon, bright red binding, silver embossed name and author on spine, dust jacket features title and authors name over a full bleed of vegetable beds among the clouds attached to weather balloons on the front and on the back a close up of a vegetable bed of turnips with watering bottle and old shipping labels, clouds are visible in the background, both front and back feature a thin, white frame superimposed over the picture. End pages are a smooth, bright orange paper reminiscent of the weather balloons from the story.
Opening 1 is a 3/4 predominantly recto layout, no gutter, white framed watercolor picture of our main character Holly Evans who is preparing and launching her vegetable seedlings into the sky. Holly is situated on the far right of the page drawing the eye from smaller items on the left up toward the right and ushering the story ahead, the colors are muted and lean toward a blue and green palate familiar to David Wiesner fans.
Opening 3 is a 3/4 predominantly verso layout, no gutter, white framed watercolor picture of a deep green forest on the left with small hiker on a trail looking out upon larger than life turnips growing in size from background to foreground among the mountains and hills. The dark of the forest weights the page toward the verso but the eye is drawn toward the recto and the largest of the turnips in the foreground.
Opening 12 is a 4 panel white framed, white gutter lay out depicting "Gourd Estates" in the 1st panel on the verso, a giant avocado on the 2nd frame of the verso, "Potatoland" on the 1st frame of the recto and "The Big Rutabaga" on the 2nd frame of the recto. The two darker paintings are in the outermost panels with red and orange both attention grabbing colors predominating. In the centermost panels yellow predominates lending a sense of happiness or overall well being. white borders keep the reader as spectator while blurring line between the here and there.
Peritextual Features: Bright blue cover with metallic silver embossed vegetable bed and weather balloon, bright red binding, silver embossed name and author on spine, dust jacket features title and authors name over a full bleed of vegetable beds among the clouds attached to weather balloons on the front and on the back a close up of a vegetable bed of turnips with watering bottle and old shipping labels, clouds are visible in the background, both front and back feature a thin, white frame superimposed over the picture. End pages are a smooth, bright orange paper reminiscent of the weather balloons from the story.
Opening 1 is a 3/4 predominantly recto layout, no gutter, white framed watercolor picture of our main character Holly Evans who is preparing and launching her vegetable seedlings into the sky. Holly is situated on the far right of the page drawing the eye from smaller items on the left up toward the right and ushering the story ahead, the colors are muted and lean toward a blue and green palate familiar to David Wiesner fans.
Opening 3 is a 3/4 predominantly verso layout, no gutter, white framed watercolor picture of a deep green forest on the left with small hiker on a trail looking out upon larger than life turnips growing in size from background to foreground among the mountains and hills. The dark of the forest weights the page toward the verso but the eye is drawn toward the recto and the largest of the turnips in the foreground.
Opening 12 is a 4 panel white framed, white gutter lay out depicting "Gourd Estates" in the 1st panel on the verso, a giant avocado on the 2nd frame of the verso, "Potatoland" on the 1st frame of the recto and "The Big Rutabaga" on the 2nd frame of the recto. The two darker paintings are in the outermost panels with red and orange both attention grabbing colors predominating. In the centermost panels yellow predominates lending a sense of happiness or overall well being. white borders keep the reader as spectator while blurring line between the here and there.
March 25, 2018
This book is about a girl who wants to see what an atmosphere will do to plants. After she sends her plants to space, a few days later the world is covered in huge plants. The story is sort of interesting, but it definitely jumps right into the problem portion of the story. The solution to the problem is answered on the last page, and doesn't really go into detail. The locations that are mention in the book are not your typically cities mentioned. This does make it harder for beginning readers. I would recommend this for older students. Younger children will struggle with the vocabulary. The plot of the book intriguing. It allows the readers to try and infer what is happening around the world. While the main character is real and convincing, I love that the book brings in extra terrestrial into the story. The pictures a bit dated. The book looks old. The pictures do however, help with the vegetable vocabulary. I would not have known what a rutabaga was at a young age, but the pictures help show the reader. Each city and vegetable are given their own picture. The last picture with the aliens really captivates the readers, and may catch the readers by surprise. The book really only talks about one girl. You only know there are other characters because of the pictures. The pictures do show some other races, but it is majority white. There are no obvious or any racial stereotypes. The main group of this book I would saw are farmers. They are portrayed as mostly white.
March 16, 2018
On May 11th, 1999 Holly Evans, a young aspiring scientists decides to launch her own experiment. She wondered how the effects of extraterrestrial condition would change the growth of vegetables. On June 29th ginormous vegetables start to land in all parts of the United States startling millions of Americans. There was 24/7 news coverage, big magazines like the Times were covering the story. All why Holly Evans, was watching the developments closely confused because of the vegetables that showed up on earth were not a part of her experiment. Holly can't help but be curious about the appearance of these large vegetables and where they came from. The book closes showing extraterrestrial beings in space who accidentally dumped their food supply of vegetables seedlings over earth.
This Sci-Fi book is a fun read for all audiences. The mystery of where the large vegetables came from is clearly shown in a fun and silly manner during the course of the book. The readers not only can appreciate the fun and silly plot full of creativity and imagination, but they also get the chance to appreciate the watercolor illustrations that David Wiesner is known for in many of his books.
This Sci-Fi book is a fun read for all audiences. The mystery of where the large vegetables came from is clearly shown in a fun and silly manner during the course of the book. The readers not only can appreciate the fun and silly plot full of creativity and imagination, but they also get the chance to appreciate the watercolor illustrations that David Wiesner is known for in many of his books.
March 4, 2020
Chinese edition of an American picture book. Definitely a fun read for kids, massive floating vegetables - that's a lovely idea. As is the twist at the end. Not the aliens bit - I thought it might be nicer to leave the origin of the giant veg as a mystery, but the size of the aliens, that's also fun.
On the downside, the pictures are a bit clinical and lifeless, but functional as far as portraying giant veg in the real world goes. The many references to American locations probably make it more fun for an American reader, but are a bit alienating if you're not. I would have left them out and made it more of an 'anywhere' universal story, but then I'm guessing the author wasn't expecting international success.
And the Chinese edition has some odd translations for vegetable names, but that's because a few of them you can't get or hard to come by in China. Lima bean we'd call cotton beans (棉豆) not emperor's beans (皇帝豆), and artichokes are foreign thistles (洋蓟) not North Korean thistles (朝鲜蓟). There's more, but it doesn't break the story, just a little jarring.
On the downside, the pictures are a bit clinical and lifeless, but functional as far as portraying giant veg in the real world goes. The many references to American locations probably make it more fun for an American reader, but are a bit alienating if you're not. I would have left them out and made it more of an 'anywhere' universal story, but then I'm guessing the author wasn't expecting international success.
And the Chinese edition has some odd translations for vegetable names, but that's because a few of them you can't get or hard to come by in China. Lima bean we'd call cotton beans (棉豆) not emperor's beans (皇帝豆), and artichokes are foreign thistles (洋蓟) not North Korean thistles (朝鲜蓟). There's more, but it doesn't break the story, just a little jarring.
May 29, 2018
I really like picture books that could be used in the classroom for content...and this silly one is that. Holly has an idea: launch vegetable seedlings into the ionosphere with weather balloons and 'see what happens.' The first pages show her hard at work, and the skeptical faces of her classmates as she describes her study...everyone forgets, until giant veggies begin falling from the sky...
They fall all over the US, and one of the uses I'd make of this book is to locate all those cities and towns on a map...and plot the course Holly's veggies would have to take.
But there's more. Veggies that weren't even a part of Holly's study begin showing up...so a good time to stop and predict...
The answer is silly and just adds to the fun of this book
They fall all over the US, and one of the uses I'd make of this book is to locate all those cities and towns on a map...and plot the course Holly's veggies would have to take.
But there's more. Veggies that weren't even a part of Holly's study begin showing up...so a good time to stop and predict...
The answer is silly and just adds to the fun of this book
January 12, 2019
Wiesner is a wonderful author and illustrator. I met him at a book signing 20+ years ago. Tuesday and Flotsam are well-known. I found this on the library shelf and thought I'd give it a go. Unlike the previous two, there is text in this offering.
A girl prepares a science experiment where she plants seeds in boxes and attaches them to balloons. She wants to see the effects of extraterrestrial life upon plant growth. The class is astonished. But then large vegetables drop from the sky. The world is amazed. The thing is, the huge vegetables are not the varieties she planted.
What happened?
Oh, you'll need to read this most rewarding book to find out. This is my kind of offbeat book. ;)
The art, as expected, is fabulous!
A girl prepares a science experiment where she plants seeds in boxes and attaches them to balloons. She wants to see the effects of extraterrestrial life upon plant growth. The class is astonished. But then large vegetables drop from the sky. The world is amazed. The thing is, the huge vegetables are not the varieties she planted.
What happened?
Oh, you'll need to read this most rewarding book to find out. This is my kind of offbeat book. ;)
The art, as expected, is fabulous!
April 17, 2020
Telling the story of a young girl named Holly, this book goes through a science experiment that Holly does in which she tries to plat vegetable seeds in the air. Shortly following this, giant vegetables are floating in the sky that slowly come down to earth. However, Holly notices that besides the vegetables being gigantic, something else is off with her experiment. This book goes through Holly's experiment and the questions that arise once the vegetables grow. Full of illustrations, the book is really enhanced by what is artistically shown. This book is a fun book that would be great to read to students when starting to teach them about plants and may even be fun and engaging to read before students plant their own vegetables as their own experiment in the classroom.
April 28, 2020
David Weisner's June 29, 1999 is a whimsical and whacky fantasy/science fiction book that takes place, yes over twenty years in the past! The year the story takes place in is not the peculiar thing about this story. With balloons and baskets, Holly Evans begins her experiment by launching vegetable seedlings into space. The young scientist did not expect the vegetables to turnip (pun) quite as they did. Vegetables soon overtake the land, sea, and sky to Holly's surprise. But where did they come from? And where did her seeds go?
This is truly a unique wow book. Many students may not be exposed to science fiction books until they are able to read chapter books. This book is short enough to read in one sitting for younger students. It has beautiful and life like illustrations. Children of all ages would love this book. Students in grades 3-5 could use this book for many different academic purposes. This book would be a great mentor text to teach students about making inferences. The text leads students close to the point Weisner wants to make, but students must gather clues from the illustrations to truly understand his message. This book could also be used to teach students about metaphors. The book doesn't contain any metaphors but it does contain rich illustrations of larger than life vegetables! Students could truly visualize peas as large as a boat, or clouds as round as brussel sprouts. This book would lend itself to many other science and geography related activities as well! It truly is a wow book and one to add to your shelf!
This is truly a unique wow book. Many students may not be exposed to science fiction books until they are able to read chapter books. This book is short enough to read in one sitting for younger students. It has beautiful and life like illustrations. Children of all ages would love this book. Students in grades 3-5 could use this book for many different academic purposes. This book would be a great mentor text to teach students about making inferences. The text leads students close to the point Weisner wants to make, but students must gather clues from the illustrations to truly understand his message. This book could also be used to teach students about metaphors. The book doesn't contain any metaphors but it does contain rich illustrations of larger than life vegetables! Students could truly visualize peas as large as a boat, or clouds as round as brussel sprouts. This book would lend itself to many other science and geography related activities as well! It truly is a wow book and one to add to your shelf!
February 21, 2018
Holly Evans decides to launch her vegetable seedlings into the sky in an ingenious science experiment. She knew they would land back on earth in a few weeks, but she never expected such gargantuan results…
This picture book was a lovely perspective on science fiction. It was realistic enough for young minds to understand but still includes the factors of extraterrestrials and how they interact with the beings on Earth. I enjoyed reading it and also loved the subtle humor in it. I wouldn't make any improvements to the story.
Literary elements that add to the book are the usage of dates throughout the plot and also alliteration. The dating of the events in the story create a sense of experimentation and data collection, which corresponds with the idea of Holly’s science experiment. The alliteration using the vegetable names and the locations where they arrive also adds to the story by creating a whimsical sense for the audience to enjoy.
The visual elements that improve the book are the contrasting colors and the realistic nature of the images. In every page there is a contrasting color scheme that highlights the focal point, whether it is Holly, the aliens or the vegetables. The realism used in creating this image also makes the story seem more believable, which can sometimes be the quest for science fiction books. The aliens seem just as believable as the humans.
Overall, this story was a fun and easy science fiction book to laugh at and understand.
This picture book was a lovely perspective on science fiction. It was realistic enough for young minds to understand but still includes the factors of extraterrestrials and how they interact with the beings on Earth. I enjoyed reading it and also loved the subtle humor in it. I wouldn't make any improvements to the story.
Literary elements that add to the book are the usage of dates throughout the plot and also alliteration. The dating of the events in the story create a sense of experimentation and data collection, which corresponds with the idea of Holly’s science experiment. The alliteration using the vegetable names and the locations where they arrive also adds to the story by creating a whimsical sense for the audience to enjoy.
The visual elements that improve the book are the contrasting colors and the realistic nature of the images. In every page there is a contrasting color scheme that highlights the focal point, whether it is Holly, the aliens or the vegetables. The realism used in creating this image also makes the story seem more believable, which can sometimes be the quest for science fiction books. The aliens seem just as believable as the humans.
Overall, this story was a fun and easy science fiction book to laugh at and understand.
January 27, 2022
On June 29 in the year 1999, a girl named Holly Evens decided to send a bunch of vegetable seedlings into the sky to test the effects of extraterrestrial confirms on her plants. Before she or the world knows it, gigantic vegetables such as turnips, lettuce, cucumbers, Lima beans, artichokes, parsnips, broccoli, and so many more come crashing on to the earth all over. Although the citizens of Earth are confused, they make the most of it by trading the veggies, making homes out of pumpkins and even renaming The Big Apple to the Big Rutabaga. But it only leaves poor Holly wondering what happened since some of the enormous veggies are not even ones she sent into space. So why are these ginormous vegetables on earth? Read this book to find out!
I really loved this book, it definitely reminded me of the boom cloudy with a chance of meatballs but I loved this concept and twist all the same! I think it would definitely be a really fun book to read to your classroom and could be a good way to talk about foods since I know of so many kids who don’t even know what a vegetable is.
I really loved this book, it definitely reminded me of the boom cloudy with a chance of meatballs but I loved this concept and twist all the same! I think it would definitely be a really fun book to read to your classroom and could be a good way to talk about foods since I know of so many kids who don’t even know what a vegetable is.
December 3, 2016
(Disclaimer: This review is being written as part of an academic assignment)
June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner is a cute story which follows a clever young girl who decided to conduct an experiment to make food grow larger. Soon after it starts raining massive vegetables all over the world, and she can't help but wonder if she is responsible. It is a lighthearted tale told through simple narration and beautifully crafted illustrations.
The Structure of the book is relatively simple; large watercolor illustrations dominating the page, with a few lines or paragraphs of narrative along an edge to move the story along. The illustrations themselves are crafted very well, often with breathtaking vistas to show the scale of the events that are taking place. The ending though, while cute, feels a little narratively different from the rest of the story, and thus feels a little jarring.
Overall, a good story with very solid illustrations. 4 Stars.
June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner is a cute story which follows a clever young girl who decided to conduct an experiment to make food grow larger. Soon after it starts raining massive vegetables all over the world, and she can't help but wonder if she is responsible. It is a lighthearted tale told through simple narration and beautifully crafted illustrations.
The Structure of the book is relatively simple; large watercolor illustrations dominating the page, with a few lines or paragraphs of narrative along an edge to move the story along. The illustrations themselves are crafted very well, often with breathtaking vistas to show the scale of the events that are taking place. The ending though, while cute, feels a little narratively different from the rest of the story, and thus feels a little jarring.
Overall, a good story with very solid illustrations. 4 Stars.
November 23, 2017
This book is about a girl named Holly Evans who plans and executes her science experience of sending seeds into the sky in hopes of seeing what the extraterrestrial power will do to the vegetables. As giant vegetables start to rain in certain areas from the sky, she thinks they’re from her experiment. After she watches the news and realizes that some of these vegetables are not the same kind as she used for her experiment, she comes to the conclusion that the giant vegetables are not from her. She wonders where they’re from without knowing they are from a cook working on another planet and misplacing his differ vegetables. This book is extremely creative and David Wiesner illustrates the giant vegetables beautifully. The reader sees the many different vegetables flying from the sky and it looks extremely realistic. I would definitely incorporate this into my classroom as a read aloud but mostly as a fun read for the students to just listen to and enjoy.
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