I’m probably pretty awful at writing a pitch for a picture book, so suffice it to say that Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat who thinks he’s a Chihuahua. SKIPPYJON JONES chronicles his adventures as a great sword fighter in
Some picture books are a drag to read out loud. The artwork may be stunning, but the voice is lackluster, the writing is clunky, and you always find yourself stumbling over your words. Not so with SKIPPYJON. I think that’s the reason I love this book so much. It’s a delight--a delight--to read out loud with my kids (and a great way to practice my oh-so-authentic Spanish accent:) ).
If you have kids in your life who love story time, buy this book for them. Even if you don’t, find some random three-year-old to read this book with. You won’t regret it.
P.S. Sorry for going MIA for a while. The past week has been a little chaotic around here. (Sick kid + Crazy revisions = No time for blogging) You may have noticed that I didn’t post an agent interview last week, but that’s just because the holidays were so hectic and everybody's still racing to catch up.
This Friday, I’ll post my interview with Joan Slattery, the newest agent at Pippin Properties, Inc. Ms. Slattery may be new to Pippin, but she is by no means new to the publishing industry. Hope you’ll hop on over to check it out!
17 comments:
This book sounds like a delight!
I love this book! I'm not as in love with the sequels, but this is definitely one of the best picture books there is. We actually have multiple copies of it, but maybe I shouldn't admit that...
I've been looking for some good books to share with a special little girl I know.
I second your endorsement, and the sequels are every bit as great as the first one (just noticed the above comment, so I should add), in my opinion. I love that she uses limericks and latino rhythms in her little chants.
I'm sorry the kids have been sick!
My nephew, at the age of 5 or thereabouts, loved this one so much he committed it to memory.
Sorry it's been such a hectic start to your new year (and before that, with the floods). I'm looking forward to your interview with Joan Slattery.
KarenG, it is!
Jeni, hooray for multiple copies! Our copy is of the Scholastic book order variety - in other words, not too sturdy. Something tells me we'll be buying this book again... :)
Susan, definitely share this one.
Myrna, ditto on loving the limericks and Latino rhythms. My favorite line from SKIPPYJON JONES is "I'm sweet like the Jell-O."
Michael, I have a little guy who's committed most of this to memory, too:)
Oohh...thanks for posting! I've got a kindergarten class I'm reading to soon and I've been trying to figure out which book to read - I'll have to pick this one up.
My 4 yo would love that! What a great sounding book.
Jennifer, if you decide to read this one to them, you'll have to let us know how it went!
Kayeleen, my three-year-old loves SKIPPYJON, so I bet your four-year-old will, too.
Oh my goodness, that sounds so fun! I'm always searching for a book I can read to my kids that doesn't put me to sleep. Thanks!
This is one of my favorite picture books. I bought it for my neices and nephews for Christmas this year. :)
Amy
omg, my little girls and I ADORE Skippyjohn. It's a trip to read aloud to them... :D
There are three more installments. Teaser: we like the Egyptian one the best--SJJ & the Big Bones~ :D <3
I think we own all the Skippyjon Jones books, now, the last two of which we bought hardcover because they weren't out in paperback, yet, and our oldest HAD to have them. Those are nice because they come with a CD of the author reading the book. (This means I can get out of reading them.) While still not as bad as many picture books, the recent ones aren't as good as the first, IMHO. I'd rather read Shel Silverstein aloud--like I did last night. :D My wife was sure I'd give the kids nightmares.
My Little Guy and I love this book. It really is so much fun to read. My sons can completely relate to Skippy, from jumping on the bed to exploring and using his imagination in the closet. And it's an excellent choice for those who love rhyming.
Liesl, yay!
Amy, you're way ahead of me with that whole share-it-with-a-kid thing:)
LTM, thanks for the heads-up. We'll have to check those out.
Ben, your wife's comment made me laugh. I think most kids don't pick up on Shel Silverstein's strangeness/morbidity, though. I didn't, at least.
Mommy Ink Well, I agree. I thought SKIPPYJON JONES was the perfect combination of rhyming and not-rhyming.
Yes! I love that line. My favorite is Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble. His sisters seriously tickled my funny bone in that one.
Myrna, nice to know the sisters have a more prominent role in some of the sequels. I love their names.
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