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| Author | Dav Pilkey |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Orchard Books |
Publication date | March 1, 1996 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 32 |
| Awards | Caldecott Honor |
| ISBN | 978-0-531-09506-5 |
| OCLC | 32700284 |
The Paperboy is a 1996 children'spicture book written and illustrated byDav Pilkey. Inspired by Pilkey's own experiences as apaperboy, it tells the story of a paperboy and his dog as they deliver newspapers in the early hours of the morning.The Paperboy received positive reviews from critics and was awarded a 1997Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
An unnamed paperboy and his faithful dog wake up early each morning while it is still dark and cold outside and his family is still asleep. After breakfast, the paperboy folds and delivers newspapers, accompanied by his dog; they both find happiness and comfort in the familiar routine. They finish at sunrise as the rest of the world begins to wake up, and they return home to fall asleep and dream.
According to Pilkey,The Paperboy was written in fifteen minutes, although he had thought about the idea for two or three years beforehand.[1][2] The story was inspired by Pilkey's own experiences as a paperboy delivering theLorain Journal.[2][3] In an interview, he stated: "I liked the independence I felt when it seemed like I was the only person in the whole world who was awake."[4] Pilkey quickly completed the illustrations forThe Paperboy so he could dedicate time to what was to be his subsequent book,Make Way for Dumb Bunnies.[1]
The Paperboy was published on March 1, 1996, by Orchard Books.[5] Anaudiobook version, narrated byForest Whitaker and accompanied by a short video with animations based on the original illustrations, was released byWeston Woods Studios in 2000.[6][7]
The Paperboy received positive reviews from critics.Publishers Weekly wrote that "Pilkey is at his best" in the book, and praised the illustrations and "the controlled hush of the narrative".[8]Kirkus Reviews called the book "a gentle salve for the instability in so much of modern life" and favorably compared the black paperboy to the protagonist fromThe Snowy Day byEzra Jack Keats.[5] Carolyn Phelan ofBooklist wrote that the illustrations included "beautifully composed landscapes and interiors" and were evocative of the art ofMarc Chagall.[9] Wendy Lukehart, writing forSchool Library Journal, calledThe Paperboy a "totally satisfying story", praising Pilkey's "graceful economy of language" and "deep, sumptuous acrylics".[10] Mary M. Burns ofThe Horn Book Magazine praised the "lyrical combination of text and pictures" and "rich and inviting" palette, and called the story a "meditative evocation of the extraordinary aspects of ordinary living".[11]
The audiobook and video adaptation also received positive reviews.AudioFile wrote that "Forest Whitaker narrates with the gentle voice the story merits," and that the various sound effects added "just enough reality to the delicate scene".[6] Teresa Bateman ofSchool Library Journal wrote thatThe Paperboy "adapts beautifully to the video format".[7] Candace Smith, writing forBooklist, called it a "faithful iconographic adaptation" of the original book.[12]
The Paperboy received a 1997Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.[13] In an interview, Pilkey stated: "Winning the Caldecott Honor Award was probably the coolest professional thing to happen to me since I began writing books."[1]
