Charlie's Treasures
Reviews
It is an unfortunate but true reality for every writer, if you put your work out there for people to read, they will have something to say about it. Good or bad it comes with the territory. For me, for Charlie's Treasures, I am relieved to say that most of the reviews have been excellent. The amazing artist and writer, Dean Morrissey (left) was one of the first people to review the story. "You've got it! This story is good!"
I need to add that one of the best reviews of the story was Dian's decision to illustrate the book. For an artist to be so moved by a story that she would invest years of her life to illustrate it, is a powerful reflection of the message behind the words.
Next was the response at the first book signing at the Kaz Vineyard and Winery in Kenwood, California. A woman sent her husband back again and again to buy more books.
At the LA Times Festival of Books, the feed back was honest and heart felt. The girl with the Eastern European accent that came back many times and finally bought a copy, the old man who read the book cover to cover, then thanked me for writing the story, the woman who cried and said she "got it" and Franchee Harmon who hugged the book and told me that books like this are treasures.
What I find most amazing about this book is how it touches people. The couple in Petaluma who heard me on the radio and found a copy at the local Star Bucks. For them coming up with the money to buy a copy was difficult. The fact that someone wants to share my story and Dian's artwork that much - meant a lot to me. There was a similar situation with a postal clerk who I shared the book with during one of my mailing campaigns. All of these moments touch my heart and reinforce why I write and why I persevere.
But I would be remise if I didn't include the reviews in their entirety. So below I have posted the reviews. If you would like to include one of your own - please email me at rich@richneumann.com.
One of these days I'll master the ability to add an audio file from the Robin and the Giant Radios show - that was an amazing review....
Bing Hugh
July 21, 2008
I've read Charlie's Treasures, it reminds me reading some of my favorite Anderson's work in Chinese when I was a little. I haven't felt that way for years.
Bing Hugh - video documentarian
Ray
March 26, 2008
Upon reading "Charlie's Treasures" -- as a story for all ages -- convincingly confirms my earlier hunch that the author is one who is creatively inspired, in the sense that he takes what is known and uses it in expanded ways.
More precisely, the author inspirationally draws upon the ancient game of marbles from archeological - historical sources and weds them into a permanently contemporary ethos purposefully magnifying the ineluctable reality that happiness withers without meaning.
For this and other reasons, "Charlie's Treasures" stunningly stylized narrative, complementarily joined with elegantly - illustrated artwork, has, to my mind, deservedly earned the metaphysical encomium: Alley!
Bravo,
Ray
Mid Western Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/nov_06.htm
Charlie's Treasures
Richard Neumann & Dian de Wolf
Stone In The Surf Press
In "Charlie's Treasures", author Richard Neumann has created an inspirational story of a young boy who shares his collection of marbles (his most valuable possession) with a kindly old man. Enhanced with artwork by Dian de Wolf, this 34-page picture book embeds a wonderful message of sharing, compassion, and friendship across generational lines -- and what is truly important in our lives. Deftly written and very nicely illustrated, "Charlie's Treasures is itself a true treasure and a welcome, highly recommended addition to family, elementary school and community library ‘family values' collections for children preschool through second grade.The Reading Tub
http://www.thereadingtub.com/displayBook.asp?id=1099
The Reading Tub 11-23-07
Title: CHARLIE'S TREASURES
Author: Richard Neumann
Illustrator: Dian de WolfPublisher: Stone in the Surf Press, ©2003
Material: hard cover
Summary: Charlie comes to the shop for conversation with his friend and shop owner. He had not been by in some time, and this time he brought a bag with his special treasures. Together, the friends explore each of the marbles in the bag, with Charlie explaining how each one is unique and why it's important to him. This is an illustrated story about marbles, friendship, and discovery.
Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, playtime reading, read aloud book, Middle reader, remedial reading
Recommended Age: read together: 5 to 10; read alone: 8 to 10
Age of Child: Started reading with 6-year-old girl.
Little Kid Reaction: Our daughter has ooh-ed and aah-ed over the illustrations in this book many times. She has enjoyed reading and re-reading the story and is fascinated by the marbles. She also liked searching for the platypus on the pages.
Big Kid Reaction: This is a great story with incredible illustrations. It seems that the marbles want to jump from the page. There are subtleties to the story that we haven't yet explored with our daughter, in part, because what we would say will sound so much more complicated than how it unfolds in the story.
Pros: There is a lot to share and learn in this picture book: friendship, marbles (including some marble history), and our unique histories.
Cons: None.
Borrow or Buy: Buy, particularly if you or your child play or collect marbles. The story is excellent and the illustrations exceptional.
If You Liked This Book, Try: GRANDMA's TREASURE CHEST , HOPALONG JACK AND THE BLUE BUNNIES , GORP'S DREAM: A TALE OF DIVERSITY, TOLERANCE, AND LOVE IN PUMPERNICKEL PARK
Other Reviews: See reader feedback at borders.com. No Critics' Reviews found at bn.com (Barnes & Noble) or borders.com.
Educational Themes: At the end of the book there are two pages that offer biographies about the marbles Charlie describes. It's an excellent place to start if you want to learn more. For more sophisticated audiences, there is an opportunity to talk about personal value, how each of us has something unique to offer the world, and, if you're really creative, a chance to have a child collect a few treasures and provide their own personal history.
Literary Categories: fiction - picture book, sports, collections, feelings
Date(s) Reviewed: November 2007
Dad Talk
http://dadtalk.typepad.com/book_buds_kidlit_reviews/
November 14, 2007
Losing his marbles
Charlie's Treasures
by Richard Neumann; illustrated by Dian de Wolf
Stone in the Surf Press
Okay, so you're laid off from various high-tech jobs. George Lucas won't hire you. Repeatedly. Your wife leaves you. You lose your house, pension and life savings. Your life generally sucks.
But you have this idea for a kid's book ...
My first thought: "Oh G-d, how do these people find me?"
My second thought: "Wow, this would make a great post."
Folks, meet Richard Neumann, the most persistent and charming loser you'll ever find online, who should turn his self-deprecating wit to writing children's books when he gets over the need to have a Message and Take This Seriously.
Charlie's Treasures is the story that kept him going when all else was gone. It's about a boy and his marbles. No, he doesn't really lose any. He visits a funky old shop and tells the mysterious, white-bearded old shopkeeper about each one. He knows a thing or two about playing marbles, that Charlie.
What's missing: A character arc, a conflict, relevance to anyone born after 1970 or so.
What it's got: Some terrific description, a lot of heart and cool marble trivia, and moody art that captures the boy's wonder.
Plus, it's got Neumann, who schlepped to New York to hawk his manuscript, visiting 110 publishers in 10 days. Geez, I get one lousy rejection and I'm useless for a month. Who feels like a loser now, huh? The consensus he heard was that the book was pitched at adults but illustrated for kids (I agree) and he resorted to starting his own publishing company.
He's been flogging the book on every webcast that will have him. If this guy sold gumption, he'd make back his fortune and then some. I'll wait for him to create characters like himself; larger than life, unstoppable as a hurricane, wicked smaht and wryly humorous. Kids love that stuff and parents eat it up. That means leaving sentimentality aside and going for raw emotion, and that might prove tough for a guy who's been through so much.
And, Richard, one little tip: hire a copy editor. Trust me on this one.
Rating: *\*\
NOVEMBER 14, 2007 IN 4-6 AND OLDER, PROTAGONIST IS A BOY | PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | TRACKBACK (0)
Ratings
• No buds
Book stinks. Contains inappropriate material or is bigoted or poorly edited.
• *\
1 bud: Eh. Plot is trite, characters are dumb, graphics are dull, or something else irked me.
• *\*\
2 buds: Very good. The art or writing has at least a modicum of charm.
• *\*\*\
3 buds: Excellent. A fun, original plot or premise, the characters are vivid, the art brings it all to life.
• *\*\*\*\
4 buds: Outstanding. A must-have that gets better with every reading. The plot imparts wisdom without lecturing, the characters are iconic, and the art could hang on my walls.
BOOKIDEAS
Charlie's Treasures
by Richard Neumann , Dian de Wolf
Search Amazon for other books by or about Richard Neumann.
Rating:
Reviewed by: John L. Hoh, Jr.
Charlie has some treasures. He shares them with an unnamed old man. I assume the old man is a family friend.
These treasures turn out to be marbles. And Charlie shares with the old man the name he has given each marble and each marble's quality. And as Charlie displays and explains each marble the old man takes each one, studies it, and comments favorably on Charlie and each marble. Each marble, young and old, has a history--steely, moonstone, the chipped one Charlie's father gave him. Each marble is carefully discussed in the book as Charlie shares his treasures with the old man.
The book is a delightful book about the treasure of time, which is what the book surely aims for. The marbles are certainly a treasure to Charlie but may not be of consequence to the old man. But the old man has learned the value of friendship and spending time with those you love. My only concern is the relationship of the old man to Charlie. A friend of mine wrote a children's book and had it vetted by educators. The feedback was that the educators were concerned that the main character was speaking with a total stranger. It is assumed that Charlie must know the old man, but the lack of identity might be of concern as we do teach our children not to talk to strangers.
The book does has a list of various marbles, their names, and their characteristics. The reader is also told that marbles existed as far back as Egypt and that holding a marble in one's hand is akin to holding history.
There is no age range given for the book. Smaller children will enjoy the book being read to them as they look at the colorful pictures. The reading level appears to be about the fourth grade level.
Reader Views Kids
Charlie's Treasures
Richard Neumann
Stone in the Surf Press (2006)
ISBN 9780977460540
Reviewed by Lake Furney (age 9) for Reader Views (1/08)
Charlie's treasures are a marble collection. He's been collecting them his whole life. Each marble has a name and a history. Charlie visits an old toy store and the old man who owns it wants Charlie to show him his treasures. Charley shares each marble and its history.
“Charlie's Treasures” was interesting and I enjoyed it. I would recommend it for ages 8-11.Jane Taylor of Island Shirts
Aloha Rich
I was reading your book, again, when I realized my marbles were my prize too.
I came here with my family in 1926, we lived on a hill not far from the ocean, not having children even near I spent most of my time hunting colored glass and shells, and was very excited when I found a Marble. Dad gave me a tin can to keep them in and started bringing me marbles, they were a joy. Two years ago my big kids decided I needed a new side walk, the one I had and was falling apart. As they were finishing the job fun for all Susan my only girl, Hey Mom do we have any shells or marbles. I still had my tin can ,so she decorated the top step and around the foot of our Flag pole. So my precious toys are still in view everyday I now look more carefully of the colors. My Grandchildren won't arrive until Wed, when I will have the pleasure of showing them your picture as the gift giver, as they will then see your book. As small as they are they are both readers, and I know will enjoy them, Charlie is really cute.
Thank you again for your generosity, and sharing with us.
Mahalo nui loa Jane
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