Title: Hello Up There!
Author: Judi Buenaflor
Illustrator: Carol Kelley
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 978-1-64908-806-2
Pages: 30
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Reviews
The story’s flow of Hello Up There! by author Judi Buenaflor has just the right tempo to make this an extraordinary children’s book. The story of Jimmy, handicapped by an accident and relying on a wheelchair to get around, goes to the zoo with his mom to visit the animals; but has an overwhelming desire to be with the giraffes. It seems because Jimmy is always sitting, he cannot see high, and giraffes can see for long distances with their height above so many things; which makes Jimmy envious.
As the artfully drawn illustrations imprint the storyline into the readers’ imaginations, one cannot stop to think how this feeling Jimmy has is being so real. Over some magical moments of paging this story, the giraffes talk to Jimmy to his amazement. Yes, they can see for long distances, but they explain to Jimmy how he too can see for long distances – even if he is not tall enough to look over things. How? By using his imagination, explains the giraffe to Jimmy. So, Jimmy tries to do what the giraffe said, and to his amazement he can now see the parking lot of the zoo, and the other animals. He then can see his house, with his neighbors’ homes, and everything and anything he wants to see in his “mind’s eye.” His imagination is all he needs to regain his ability to see from distances far and beyond the horizon.
This lesson, as told wonderfully by the author, is so important to children, as all kids are shorter than adults, and need to use their imagination to see beyond their immediate surroundings. To overcome the disability of being in a wheelchair is also such a powerful theme in this story and would be ideal to read to any child with that impediment.
The story ends with a drawing on page 26 of the giraffe gently placing its head on Jimmy’s lap, and Jimmy holding the animal with care and respect. That image is the perfect ending to this story, and worthy of being framed and placed in a child’s room – especially if the child is wheelchair bound.
Author Judi Buenaflor has created a book which has a kind and wonderful impact to the readers who may need a little help with growing their imagination to use as a tool to see beyond their surroundings. It’s a good lesson for, well, everyone.