Justin Case: School, Drool, And Other Daily Disasters

Justin Case: School, Drool, And Other Daily Disasters. Rachel Vail. 2010. Feiwel & Friends. 256 pages.

September 1, Tuesday
Okay, yes. I'm worried.
Already.
I can't help it.

I loved Justin Case. I did. True, his name isn't really Justin Case. It's Justin Krzeszewski. But Justin Case is his nickname. (He's not all that fond of it--at least not at first.) Justin is an anxious third-grader who tends to make lists in his journal.

Many things make Justin anxious--or worried--change being one of them. And third grade is all about change. He's put in the "wrong" third grade class. He's separated from his friends. And one of those friends, Daisy, has realized that boys and girls shouldn't be best friends. So she's dropped him completely. So Justin has a "scary" teacher and no friends. And that's just the start...

What I loved best about Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters was the writing.

From October 7:

I figured out why it is called cursive: because of the bad words you think when you can't draw the dumb letters right. How many bumps can one M possibly have? (37)

From May 18:

If I had to choose which is worst of:

a) climbing a rope up higher than a gym teacher's bald head
b) practicing my squeaky violin
c) hanging upside down by my knees so my shirt falls up
d) getting driven somewhere by Gingy, the slowest driver on the planet
e) walking my drooly dog every day because my parents went away

I would have to choose

f) All of the above

Welcome to my life as a third grader. (206)

There were so many moments where Justin Case made me smile. (Reading about Justin's trouble with his stuffed animals!) I also loved the book for its relationships. How Justin relates to his family--his mom, his dad, his younger sister, Elizabeth, and especially his relationship with his grandparents Poopsie and Gingy. These family scenes were some of my favorites. I also loved to see Justin making new friends in third grade! I loved getting to know others in his class--like Montana C and Gianni Schicci.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

A Pirate's Guide to First Grade

A Pirate's Guide to First Grade. By James Preller. Illustrated by Greg Ruth. Feiwel and Friends. 48 pages.

Arrr!
Shiver me timbers, what a slobberin' moist mornin'!
Me great scurvy dog slurped me kisser
when I was tryin' t' get me winks!
While I was wipin' the slime from me gob,
I remembered 'twas the first day of school.
I leaped out of bed...
shined me snappers,
and got dressed double quick.

What a strange little book! The good news? It is exactly what it looks like. So if you love pirates, if you know someone who loves pirates, then this is the picture book for you. Pirates fill each and every page of this one. Of course, the pirates are in one little boy's imagination. And this redheaded boy sure does love pirates!

The narrative is strong in A Pirate's Guide to First Grade.

Me mother was soggy with fare-thee-wells,
fussing over this, that, and the other thing.
"Fair winds!" I exclaimed and headed for me ship.
And a great, grand jolly boat it was!

The 'jolly' boat in question? The yellow school bus.

There is a glossary in the back of the book for those interested in "pirate homework."

I didn't love this one. I thought it very strange. But. It might work better for other readers.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Cat On The Mat Is Flat

Griffiths, Andy. 2007. Cat On The Mat Is Flat. Illustrated by Terry Denton. Feiwel and Friends. 167 pages.

This early reader is heavily illustrated. So don't be intimidated by its length! It's a fun little collection of stories--rhyming stories--that are just about right. Mostly. I read The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow first. So I was comparing this earlier effort with his newest effort. But I *still* think this one is a lot of fun. There are nine little rhyming stories in all. Some stories have more substance than others. But all are simple and meant to appeal to a young audience.

My personal favorite is Bill and Phil and the Very Big Hill. I just thought that one was hilarious.

Here's how it starts out:

There was a man.
His name was Bill.
Bill had a friend.
His name was Phil.

One day Bill and his friend Phil
climbed to the top of a very big hill.
"I dare you to roll down the hill,"
said Bill.
"I will if you will, Bill,"
said Phil.
"I will if you will, Phil,"
said Bill.

So Bill and Phil rolled down the hill.

Of course that is just the start of this story. With nine stories, there is something for everyone, I think. You may not love all of the stories. But there will probably be a few--at least--that you think work.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow

Griffiths, Andy. The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow. Illustrated by Terry Denton. Feiwel and Friends. 124 pages.

This early reader is heavily illustrated. So don't be intimidated by its length! It's a fun little collection of stories--rhyming stories--that are just about right.

It's raining
big fat cows
today.
How many cows?
It's hard to say.
A big cow here.
A fat cow there.
Big fat cows are
Everywhere!
Cows underwater.
Cows in space.
Big fat cows
all over the place!

Of course that little story goes on...and you might have guessed it...one big fat cow does explode with a big kapow.

If exploding cows aren't your cup of tea, perhaps the story of Brave Dave or Klaus the Mouse will suit you better! There's really something for everyone here. It's a cute and funny little book.

Definitely recommended.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers