It’s a kindhearted beginning chapter book, but second-graders may wish it had some vomit jokes
Based on the title, readers might expect a book of gross humor. Instead they'll find a sweet story of friendship and competition in which everyone can be “best of the forest.”
Woodchuck Chuck is an artist working in wood and the winner of the Best of the Forest art contest three years running. Then Scooter the possum shows up. When his painting Splatter Matters wins first prize, Chuck is angry and jealous, and he begins to doubt his own abilities. Each of the eight short chapters begins with a full-page illustration that, with the chapter heading, hints at what is to come. Pictures throughout break up the text so new readers will not be intimidated. Chuck's friends provide kid-level comic relief with knock-knock jokes. (Though adults may chuckle at Scooter's similarities to Jackson Pollock and the allusion to current grass-roots movements, these references will mean nothing to beginning readers.) With wisdom beyond their years, Chuck's forest friends counsel him to gracefully accept his second-place recognition, and he rather quickly realizes that “awards are just whipped cream on a sweet-potato pie.” The final chapter, “Lesson Learned,” guarantees that no kid can miss the message.
It’s a kindhearted beginning chapter book, but second-graders may wish it had some vomit jokes . (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-58089-698-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 27, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
For those times when it is forgotten that a pet is not a toy, Graves provides a pointed little cautionary tale. Young Stanley is a pet collector. "He purchased them in singles / and matching colored sets. / Big or small, wet or dry, / he loved to buy new pets." He also has a tendency to forget their existence after playing with them for awhile. Comes the day that he gets a taste of his own medicine. While shopping in an "undiscovered shop," he gets captured, sent to a far galaxy, and sold as a pet. His owner is a nice enough, three-eyed chap, but, robbed of his freedom, fed pretty dreadful pet grub, and encouraged to do silly tricks, Stanley is one unhappy puppy. He makes a break for it, gets thrown in the pound, is saved by his three-eyed owner, and sent back to planet Earth after he pleads his case. " 'Thanks,' said Stanley. 'You saved my life. / Friends like you are few. / But I'm not happy in this jar, / or living here with you.' ” Once home, his pets are not especially joyous about his return, but he does right by them and they decide to stay. Graves's artwork is corny but also bursting with color and a host of strange creatures. The verse a jaunty affair, but it's the pictures that will appeal the most. Certainly a very useful book to have on hand when a chorus of avoidance meets the dog's desire for dinner and a scratch behind the ear. (Picture book 5-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8118-2672-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
This title is part of Viking’s easy-to-read series, with characters inspired by Ezra Jack Keats. While Eitzen hues very close to the artwork of Keats, Suen must go farther afield than Keats’s wonderfully sparse, syncopated writing to fill the verbiage necessary to make this an early reader. A handful of children are invited over to Peter and Willie’s house to celebrate the dachshund’s birthday. Each child brings along a pet, and pretty soon the action revolves around trying to keep order in the gathering mayhem of dog, cat, bird, and fish. As the kids try to engage the animals in fun and games that would be appropriate for a human party, the animals resist: the cat will not wear a hat, thank you, and Willie is not happy to be blindfolded, even for a game of give-the-dog-a-bone. Ultimately, the cat goes after the fish, Willie goes after the cat, the cake crashes to the floor (but that doesn’t stop anyone from eating it). A fairly joyous little effort, one that keeps the words hopping to keep the readers reading: “Meow! purred the cat. She put her paw into the fishbowl. ‘My fish!’ said Susie. She let go of the blindfold. ‘Shoo! Shoo! Go away!’ Willie jumped out of Peter’s arms. Arf! Arf! he barked. Meow! went the cat.” As Peter says when he rescues the fishbowl, “Safe,” and not a bad idea for reaching a new audience. (Easy reader. 5-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-670-88943-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
