This book is based on an actual blackout in 2003, when 14 million people in new york lost power. While the power is off, the boy and his family discover that being in the dark is not that bad. The extraordinary passion, ingenuity, and persistence of the 400,000 people who turned an impossible dream into reality leaps off of every page of john rocco s beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched, and lucidly written book. Blackout john rocco, author and illustrator disney hyperion books, may 2011, fiction suitable for. Kids wings acitvities blackout by john rocco suzy red. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. John rocco is known for his work on shrek 2001, blackout and born into brothels. Blackout is a childrens picture book written and illustrated by john rocco, published by disney hyperion in 2011.
John rocco is an awardwinning new york times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children including blackout, a winner of the caldecott honor, blizzard, wolf. It has verve and imagination that set it apart from a number of cute and inclusive books on the scene today. John rocco s caldecott honour winning blackout presents an entertaining engagingly, expressively illustrated way of demomstrating to children that a universal, that a citywide power outage does not necessarily have to become some huge and inherently problematic, potentially destructive fiasco, and that it can actually be both fun and even a good family and community togetherness tool if of. Using the blackout of 2003 as inspriation, the author. In addition to writing and illustrating four of his own picture books, including the caldecott honorwinning and new york times bestselling blackout, he has created all of the cover art for rick riordans bestselling percy jackson, kane chronicles, and heroes of olympus series. I am also the illustrator for rick riordans blockbuster series percy jackson and the olympians, the kane chronicles and heroes of olympus. A summer power outage draws an urban family up to their buildings roof and then down to the street for an impromptu block party. Rocco was a runnerup for the american library association caldecott medal, which annually recognizes the best in u. Since 2005 his focus has been on creating childrens books, such as wolf. John rocco takes a childseye view of one special summer night in blackout.
Using a combination of panels and full bleed illustrations that move from color to blackandwhite and back to color, john rocco shows that if we are willing to put our cares aside for a while, there is party potential in a summer blackout. Rocco s sublime account of a city blackout reveals a bittersweet truth. When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lightsin stars that can be seen for a changeand so. During the blackout, the lack of distraction by their technological devices leads to a.
Blackout printables, classroom activities, teacher. John rocco, author and illustrator of blackout, uses the dark to show the profound change that a family, neighborhood, and city undergo. Blackout by john rocco a thoughtprovoking caldecott honor book. During the blackout, the lack of distraction by their technological devices leads to a renewal of the family members connections with each other.
John rocco has 58 books on goodreads with 264946 ratings. Blackout became a 2012 caldecott honor book for telling its story in pictures with occasional words thrown in for good measure. To say that illustrator john rocco is excited about his new picture book about burton 19091968, her life and her work is an understatement. Power outage, reassurance, family fun openingsynopsiss. John rocco shows that if we are willing to put our cares aside for a while, there is party potential in a summer blackout. Blackout by john rocco meet your next favorite book. This is a book trailer for john roccos caldecott honorwinning book, blackout. Author interview john rocco, author of big machines bookpage. Grand central pubone hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again. Blackout by john rocco kids wings top flight book 2012 caldecott honor book.
Not just their apartment but the whole city is dark. Marvelous modern book i saw the author actually read it at a local meeting taking what could be a tragedy and turning it into an original idea for children and artists. Each older member of a family is too busy to play a game with the youngest child read more. A 2012 caldecott honor book, blackout was written and illustrated by john rocco, who is also the illustrator of the dust jackets of rick riordans fantasy novel series such as percy jackson and the olympians, and the kane chronicles. Miss reynolds eng 31 fall 20 video website project. Trade publishing international about scholastic customer service contact us. Each older member of a family is too busy to play a game with the youngest child. Buy the hardcover book blackout by john rocco at indigo. Blackout has 1 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Jun 05, 2011 a brooklyn family experiences a blackout in this picture book. Written by john rocco, audiobook narrated by stanley tucci.
Many of my books have received prestigious awards including my new york times bestselling book, blackout which received the caldecott honor. Not all young readers will have experienced a blackout, but this engaging snapshot could easily have them wishing for. Using the blackout of 2003 as inspriation, the author follows a fictional family on a hot summer night when the power goes out. Blackout by john rocco is a touching kids book about the power of turning off. This video was recorded with permission from scholastic books. I am also the illustrator for rick riordans blockbuster series percy jackson and the olympians. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. The story of virginia lee burton, written by sherri duskey rinker author of goodnight, goodnight, construction site and illustrated by rocco, is a passion project, one he. In an age of digital distractions, a power outage is a major disruption and, as john rocco illustrates in this beautiful picture book, a rare opportunity. As a kid growing up in rhode island, i remember quite a few.
The extraordinary passion, ingenuity, and persistence of the 400,000 people who turned an impossible dream into reality leaps off of every page of john roccos beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched, and lucidly written book. Aug 19, 2014 many of my books have received prestigious awards including my new york times bestselling book, blackout which received the caldecott honor. In a series of graphic novel style panels, a small child tries to convince family members to play a board game one hot summer night, but theyre all too busy. Reading curriculum, integrated curriculum for elementary education, novel. One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. This book is part of the read for success collection. Jan 06, 2012 blackout john rocco, author and illustrator disney hyperion books, may 2011, fiction suitable for. Rocco worked on and oversaw several projects while there involving cgi animation, motion capture, and story development. This book is about a family who discovers that magic during one hot summer night in the city. Click here for details, reading level, lesson ideas, a peek inside.
John rocco is a new york times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including wolf. Roccos sublime account of a city blackout reveals a bittersweet truth. A brooklyn family experiences a blackout in this picture book. Available but not holdable view details view details for blackout, book. Blackout book by john rocco 1 available editions half. Authorillustrator, john rocco has never ceased to amaze us with his books. Power outage, reassurance, family fun openingsynopsis s. Instead of pining for the mythical good old days, when people didnt spend hours a day staring at screens, this book shares the pleasure of powering down and enjoying the moment. John rocco when a busy familys activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once. When a busy familys activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once. It features a new york city family during an electrical power outage. Rocco has an interesting background as an art director on the movie shrek and a designer of disney theme park rides.
This is a great class read aloud that builds suspense through minimal text and fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness. And into this crowded field comes john roccos blackout, apparently set in dumbo or another nearby locale that includes the brooklyn bridge. His sister can no longer use the phone, mom cant work on her computer, and dad cant finish cooking dinner. In addition to writing and illustrating his own picture books, including the new york times bestselling and caldecott honorwinning blackout, he has created all of the cover art for rick riordans bestselling percy jackson, kane chronicles, and heroes of olympus series. Blackout by john rocco perfect picture book childrens. Roccos parable of life off the grid is warm and sweet. Blackout printables, classroom activities, teacher resources. Blackout by john rocco, 9781423121909, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
John rocco, creator of blackout, is an award winning author and illustrator, known for his illustration work on the blockbuster series percy jackson and the olympians. In a series of graphic novelstyle panels, a small child tries to. Childrens books blackout by john rocco the new york times. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. May 24, 2011 in an age of digital distractions, a power outage is a major disruption and, as john rocco illustrates in this beautiful picture book, a rare opportunity.