Patsie McCandless

This book is sure to become a new classic. The characters come to life, like old friends you just can't wait to visit. I read it to my 8-year-old son, and together we found Jesse to be irresistible - we felt like we were laughing and playing and discovering right along with him. Every night my son would beg for just one more chapter!

The story takes place in 1950s New York City. Jesse is a precocious, yet innocent, little boy of 6, who is raised by his Irish gypsy grandmother, Dearie, and his uncle Conor. They live in a lively apartment building, where Jesse has friends, both young and old. He is on a quest to find his other "disappeared" grandmother. And while he never leaves the city, he goes on many adventures! Jesse has his ups and downs, but the wisdom of his precious grandmother, Dearie, always guides him back to his joy and light.

Woven throughout the story are wonderful new, made-up words, like "thrill-digging" and "giggle-snickens". There are enough of these fun words that a dictionary of them is included in the back of the book! You'll find yourself using these "brillish" new expressions!

In today's world where so many of us have our heads buried in cell phones - adults and children alike - Jesse & Dearie remind us to revel in the everyday joys, to appreciate simple moments and being together, to remember what is truly important. They remind us of these things, so that we can lead our very best lives. So that we, too, can tap back into our own magic, the everyday magic of childhood. "Light on!"… (més)