Mini Monday #48

Mini Monday: Where my son and I do two “mini” reviews on two children’s books. Each book will get a Thumbs up, Middle Thumb, or Thumbs down rating!

Jack the Tripper by Gene Barretta Hardcover, 44 pages
Published August 1st 2008 by HMH Books for Young Readers
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A mysterious villain is tripping the poor, innocent students at Dizzie Day Elementary School. They’re tripping; they’re flipping; they’re flying through the air! Worst of all, they’re losing their homework as they fall. The whole town is in a frenzy searching for the boot-wearing culprit . . . until one student makes a startling confession. With vivid illustrations—and plenty of clues for readers to do their own detective work—Gene Barretta has created a hilarious, creepy tale about the perils (and sometime rewards!) of following the crowd.

 

My son and I were big fans of the artwork in this book. The story was cute and showed the repercussions of lying but did it in a funny way.

 

It all started with Polly and her book report, then Winston and his box of candy. Soon everyone in class was being tripped! People were searching everywhere but no one could find this “Jack the Tripper”.  Then when they feel it is too dangerous for students to be out on Dizzie Day, the cancel the parade. This is something the students don’t want and so the truth starts to come out.

 

Rating:

 

FIND THE AUTHOR:
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First Grade Stinks by Mary Ann Rodman
Illustrated by Beth Spiegel
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published September 1st 2006 by Peachtree Publishers
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

First-grader Haley wishes she were back having fun in kindergarten with her old teacher--until she finds out that first grade is special, too. Full color.

 

Since my older son just started his first grade year I thought this book was perfect. Haley and her friend are so excited to start first grade. They think all the kindergarteners are babies and they feel sorry for them. This doesn’t start for long though. Haley starts to realize that she doesn’t get two recesses. She doesn’t get to eat lunch first. She also doesn’t like the way the books end.

She finally gets so mad that she stands up and yells “First Grade Stinks!” in front of the whole class. Her teacher kneels down and calmly explains how things in first grade work. Haley soon learns that first grade is better than she thought.

 

Rating:

 

FIND THE AUTHOR:
Goodreads