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"Stuck" in a Good Book by Oliver Jeffers:  Book Review

10/10/2013

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http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417QHP8L27L.jpg
I had a feeling as I picked this book up that I knew what was coming, but gave it a chance anyways because the art intrigued me.  In the beginning a kid named Floyd is flying a kite.  Guess what?  It gets "Stuck".  As an adult...errr...I mean kid who gets things stuck in trees sometimes, you know he is going to find something nearby to throw at it to knock it down.  In Floyd's case, he throws his "favorite" shoe at the kite in the tree.     Well of course that shoes gets stuck, and  if you get one shoe stuck, you might as well throw the other one to get the other unstuck right?  After the other shoe is resting comfortably in the tree limbs, that's where the story starts to go places I didn't think it would.  
  I don't want to ruin what happens next but ever hear of the saying, "Everything except the kitchen sink"?  Well Jeffers takes it farther.   There are  numerous times your child, and you for that matter, will think the story is going one way but instead goes another that induces uncontrollable laughing or in my case, "manly giggling".   I would not read this book in a public place by yourself or people will stare at you, the potentially crazy person, giggling while reading a children's book. 

Should you read this?:  I'll put it this way, people in the bookstore stopped and looked at me when I was reading this book because I was giggling so much. 

Bedtime Story?:  I would not read it at bedtime as your children might get wound up with all the laughing they will be doing.

Story Rating:  Five out of Five Bananas as it is a hilariously well written story with excellent use of the page turn.

Art Rating:  Four out of Five Paintbrushes as the art is simplistic, but really fits this story.  The color of pages matches the character's mood perfectly.  Oliver Jeffer's character drawings use basic shapes that my students can draw themselves without frustration.  His artwork has a simplicity that I wish I could achieve.  The reason I am not giving it Five out of Five Paintbrushes is I compare Oliver Jeffer's work to the likes of Tony Diterlizzi and David Weisner.  The interesting thing is he does amazing realistic art as well.  You can see it at his website that is listed below.

Grade/Age Level:  ages 4 - 100

Can I find it in the Primary School Library?  Yes, Ask Mrs. Pantzlaf and she will direct you to this glorious treat.

Check out his website at http://oliverjeffersworld.com or see some of his other artwork at http://www.oliverjeffers.com/

Halloween Costume Idea!:  super easy...check this blog out for a "Stuck" themed halloween costume!  http://www.smallfryblog.com/2013/10/14/homemade-no-sew-halloween-pt-1/

Publication Info [found at amazon.com]
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Philomel 
  • ISBN-10: 0399257373
  • ISBN-13: 978-0399257377
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