It’s Kiddie-lit this week in the Reading Room! At just 102 pages–and that’s with pictures, too!–I just know some of you are thinking:
“Are you for real?”
“Hey, that sounds like an easy out!”
“That can’t count! C’mon now!”
Okay, so perhaps those are really questions I was thinking as I actually attempted a grown up book and got bogged down with too many other things this week. But as I rationalized not finishing the other book, I took comfort in reminding myself that this project will be as successful as I am flexible. And, truth be told, I committed myself to including one of the many books I read to my kiddo in this project.
So, let’s get to it!
STINK: THE INCREDIBLY SHRINKING KID is a delightful book by Megan McDonald, the creator of the ever popular (although never read by me) JUDY MOODY books. James Moody (aka Stink) is Judy’s younger and much shorter brother, who desires what many young boys want: to be bigger. It’s the only thing on his mind until he’s selected by his teacher to care for the class pet, a Newt aptly named Newton.
Hilarity and unexpected outcomes occur at the Moody house when Newton comes home and McDonald has created an enjoyable story that kept both me and my six year old engaged. She realistically conveys the feelings of a young boy growing up in the shadow of an older sister and does so with overall positive messaging. I really appreciated that there wasn’t a heavy focus on potty humor that seems rampant in youth series targeted at young boys.
I should also note that McDonald also scored points with me when she made Stink a lover of homework. I could only hope that’s a key message my guy took from the book.
But when I asked him his favorite part? “When the newt shed his skin.”
Oh, a mother can dare to dream.
Rating: 3 stars
Genre: Children’s
Pages: 102
Oh – I had no idea that Judy Moody had a brother. BG started reading the series when she herself could read – so, I am not familiar with the ins and outs of the family dynamic. I will see if BG will want to read it!
McDonald never planned to write a series about the brother, but when kids were asking for it, she obliged. We are looking forward to reading the others in the series.