Monday, February 12, 2007
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Reading this book makes me think of my childhood. I was the oldest of six children and like in the story, we had an old beat up station wagon. It was like a clown car wherever we went. When we would go on long trips to visit various relatives, we packed our soda, graham crackers, and yes, bologna sandwiches before we hit the road. When we arrived, there was the same hugging and laughing, eating in shifts, and pile-up of sleeping kids as in the book. How rich the memories are that this story brings back. Stephen Gammell's illustrations pull you right into the story: the car bumping along, the mailbox and fence obviously knocked over by the overzealous driver, food falling, bellies poking out of jammies, and always smiles and laughter so clear you can almost hear them. But my favorite page is after the relatives arrival. The illustrator creates a scene of joyful chaos with shoes falling off, bodies caught in motion, a puddle splashed in, and everyone hugging each other. You want to jump in and join the family! The text is marvelous as well. It feels like a child is relating the story of his spectacular summer vacation. The description of the trip from Virginia and the food the relatives bring is reminiscent of the days before McDonald's was on every corner. The excitement is palpable as you read about everyone eating, sleeping and breathing together. And every once in a while, the more thoughtful comments like, "It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house." and at the end, "...then we crawled back into our beds that felt too big and too quiet." I'm sure in a house full of eighteen or more people, we would recognize that something felt different, but would we realize that it was the breathing? or the empty space and the loud quiet after everyone had gone? I suppose most of us will never find out for sure, but if we listen carefully as we read, we just might find ourselves in the middle of a boisterous visit from the relatives.
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4 comments:
I was transported back in time, too when my family used to make the yearly trek over the mountains of West Virginia (on the back roads!) to visit relatives in Indiana. I was delighted at the illustrations showing carefree abandon with the characters' smiles and play so much more essential than impressing each other with any kind of one-up-man-ship. I found myself wanting to jump into the picture and join in the hugging and in all the activites outside. This story is timeless and what a fabulous testimony of real down-home livin'!
I've never read this book, but I enjoyed your description of it! It sounds like you had a huge personal connection to the book. While my family didn't own a stationwagon, we used to take long trips to visit my family in North Carolina. There was so much hugging and eating when we finally got there, and it sounds a lot like the book and your experiences!
I am one of five children, so I, too, relate to the story The Relatives Came! I remember traveling in the mini van to PA, IL, VA to visit family. I remember arriving to quiet houses that suddenly were full of people thanks to our gang... air mattresses, sleeping bags, shared bathroom time, and eating on paper plates to avoid dishes. But, there is nothing like a big family's love, despite all the ruckus, is there? I enjoy reading this book each year to my students. Just as you and I were able to, I think most students are able to make text to self connections to The Relatives Came. I also use the book to inspire transition words and phrases in my student writings, for Rylant uses unique transitions in this book to move the text along.
It's so interesting how your personal experiences can color your perception of a book. I come from a small family and everyone lives within 3 hours. I've heard so many people say that they loved this book, but I can't really relate. I never had long trips or 10+ people in the house. I find the book amusing but not memorable.
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