Skippyjon Jones

by Judy Schachner, Judy Schachner (Illustrator)

Overview

Here is the book that launched a thousand chimichangoes – the first in the best-selling series about the rambunctious Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese kitty boy with the overactive imagination. He would rather be El Skippito, the great sword fighter, who can do anything. Like saving a roving band of Mexican Chihuahuas from a humongous bumblebeeto that is tormenting them.

Join Skippyjon Jones on his first great adventure. He’s fearless, he’s fun, he gets the job done – yes, indeed-o.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142404034
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	04/07/2005
Series:	Skippyjon Jones Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	10,852
Product dimensions:	10.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.13(d)
Lexile:	AD740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Best known for her Skippyjon Jones series, Judy Schachner has illustrated many of her own stories including Sarabella’s Thinking Cap; Dewey Bob; The Grannyman and its companion book, Bits & Pieces. A #1 New York Times bestseller, Skippyjon Jones was also awarded the first E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Judy is known for her spirited readings of the series.

Editorial Reviews

The Siamese hero of this caper sleeps in a nest-with the birds-and is convinced that he's really a Chihuahua in disguise, and saves his pals from a giant Bumblebeeto Bandito. Ages 4-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Skippyjon Jones is not your ordinary Siamese cat. He enjoys being with the birds and much to his mother's displeasure, he sleeps with them, eats worms and plays in the birdbath. This just is not the type of behavior she expects from her son. Banished to his room, and warned to stay out of his closet, Skippyjon does not seem to be the least bit fazed. He actually ends up on another adventure, and this time he is a masked bandito consorting with a group of dogs—the Chimichangos. The fearless Skippyjon saves them from an awful monster bumblebee named Alfredo Buzzito. It turns out that the bee is actually a birthday piñata and when he punctures it all the goodies come spilling out all over his room. Mama for once is not really upset and the irrepressible Skippyjon is ready for his next adventure. The illustrations are as humorous as the story and kids will enjoy them. The text is sprinkled with Spanish terms, which may make reading it aloud a challenge for some and a big hit for others. There is no pronunciation guide for those who may not be familiar with Spanish. 2004, Dutton, Ages 3 to 8.
—Marilyn Courtot

Children's Literature

K-Gr 3-This is a wildly wonderful book about a hyperactive kitten, Skippyjon Jones, whose head and ears are too big for his body, and whose imagination is too intense for his mama. According to her, he needs to do some serious thinking about what it means to be a Siamese cat instead of a bird (Skippyjon always wakes up and eats worms with his feathered friends). She sends him to his room, where he imagines he is a Chihuahua ("My name is Skippito Friskito./I fear not a single bandito"). Chock-full of rhyming chants and Spanish expressions, the feline's adventure as a doggy Zorro ends in chaos. His frazzled mother gives him a hug anyway and says, "Say good night, Skippyjon Jones." "Buenas noches, mis amigos," says the kitten, as he bounces on his bed all ready for another adventure. The buoyant and colorful cartoon illustrations match the exuberant text perfectly. Spanish-speaking children will be especially delighted by the words and humor; others may be a little bewildered by all of the foreign phrases and will need some explanation, but the story definitely has the potential of a fun read-aloud. A good multicultural offering.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Skippyjon Jones insists he's not a Siamese cat despite ears too big for his head and a head too big for his body. This rambunctious kitty with an overactive imagination prefers to be El Skippito, a Zorro-like sword fighter. Walking through his closet, he meets a mysterioso band of Chichuahuas called Los Chimichangos. The masked Skippyjon joins them, pretending to be a dog and claiming he loves "mice and beans." The Chimichangos are convinced he will bid adios to the bad bandito Bumblebeeto who steals their frijoles. And yippito, he does. Returning home where Mama Junebug Jones and the girls are waiting-his closet explodes with a birthday pi-ata of goodies. This pun-filled spoof is over-the-top comedy littered with Spanish words and "Spanglish" accents (bees-ness). Mama's pet names for Skippyjon-Mr. Kitten Britches, Fluffernutter-add affectionate touches. Colorful, lively illustrations exaggerate the hilarity. No ethnic aspersions intended, just laugh-out-loud humor. Both feline hero and story are full of beans (more Mexican-jumping than pinto) but ay caramba, mucho fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

*"Both feline hero and story are full of beans (more Mexican-jumping than pinto) but ay caramba, mucho fun."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Buoyant and colorful cartoon illustrations match the exuberant text perfectly."—School Library Journal

"The illustrations are as humorous as the story and kids will enjoy them."—Children's Literature

From the Publisher