Peppe the Lamplighter

A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

by Elisa Bartone

On Sale: 04/26/1993

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Peppe the Lamplighter

A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

by Elisa Bartone

illustrated by Ted Lewin

On Sale: 04/26/1993

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Book Overview
Author Info
Illustrator Info

Caldecott Honor Book

ALA Notable Children’s Book

About the Book

This Caldecott Honor-winning picture book is a touching snapshot of American history and the immigrant experience.

This is the story of Peppe, who becomes a lamplighter to help support his immigrant family in turn-of-the-century New York City, despite his papa's disapproval.

Peppe's family is very poor, and though he is just a boy he needs to find work. Being a lamplighter on the streets of Little Italy is not the job his father had dreamed of for Peppe. But when Peppe's job helps save his little sister, he earns the respect of his entire family.

"A beautiful, moving book," commented Kirkus in a starred review.

Critical Praise

"A beautiful, moving book." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Deftly vivifies a slice of American history." — Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN: 9780688102685
ISBN 10: 0688102689
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: 04/26/1993
Pages: 32
List Price:24.99 CAD
Ages: 4 to 8
BISAC1 : JUVENILE FICTION / Boys & Men
BISAC2 : JUVENILE FICTION / Family / General (see also headings under Social Themes)
BISAC3 : JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
BISAC4 : JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century
BISAC5 : JUVENILE FICTION / Bedtime & Dreams
BISAC6 : JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / Country Life
BISAC7 : JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Siblings
BISAC8 : JUVENILE FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural
BISAC9 : JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life
BISAC10 : JUVENILE FICTION / Business, Careers, Occupations

Elisa Bartone

Biography

Other Works by Elisa Bartone

Peppe the Lamplighter

By Elisa Bartone

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Ted Lewin

Biography

Ted Lewin grew up in an old frame house in Buffalo, New York, with two brothers, one sister, two parents, a lion, an iguana, a chimpanzee, and an assortment of more conventional pets. The lion was given to his older brother, Don, while he was traveling as a professional wrestler, and he shipped it home. The family kept Sheba in the basement fruit cellar until Don returned and their mother convinced him to give it to the Buffalo zoo.

Ted always knew he wanted to be an illustrator. As a child he copied the work of illustrators and painters he admired, including N. C. Wyeth, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Velázquez, and Goya. When it came time to go to art school (Pratt), he needed to earn money to finance his education. So, following in his brother’s footsteps, he took a summer job as a wrestler -- the beginning of a 15-year part-time career that eventually inspired his autobiographical book I Was a Teenage Professional Wrestler. Ted’s career as an artist began with illustrations for adventure magazines, and it’s only over the last several years that he has devoted his time to writing and illustrating children’s books. "I’m having more fun doing this than anything I’ve ever done before," he says. He is an avid traveler, and many of his books are inspired by trips to such places as the Amazon River, the Sahara Desert, Botswana, Egypt, Lapland, and India. His Market!, published in 1996, showcases markets around the world, from Uganda to Ireland to Ecuador.

Touch and Go is a collection of stories about the adventures Ted had while researching his books. Gorilla Walk is his first collaboration with his wife, Betsy, and is about their trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. They’ve just completed their second collaboration, Elephant Quest, set in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Ted’s current project is about a Civil War drummer boy.

Ted and Betsy live in Brooklyn, New York, where they share their home with two cats, Slick and Chopper.