Skippyjon Jones
Skippyjon Jones is to Judy Schachner and the American South what Peter Rabbit is to Beatrix Potter and the English Countryside....but with a little caped crusader action thrown in!
So begin the adventures of Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese cat who wants so much to be a chihuahua he has created his own alter-ego, El Skippito Friskito. This cape-donning, mask-wearing Spanish sword fighter rallies to the cries of his imaginary amigos who live the bedroom closet.
He travels to another world inside the closet with the other chihuahuas (with names like Poquito Tito and Don Diego) and, with a spanish accent and fun(ny) rhymes, battles the likes of dinosauritos, the Bobble-ito, or any nemesis who threatens his dancing pretend BFFs.
The Skippyjon books have a great sense of cadence and rhyme that make you want to clap and maybe even do a little dance while you read. Dancing is encouraged!
"Oh, my name is Skippito Friskito. (clap-clap)
And I heard from a leetle birdito (clap-clap)
That the doggies have fled
From the gobbling head
Who goes by the name Bobble-ito! (clap clap)"
Higher level vocabulary (some in Spanish) and humor are peppered through the Skippyjon stories. For example, Skippyjon as Skippito tells Poquito Tito something is a "pain in the sciatica." Most women who have been pregnant know of this pain. My six-year-old, however, looked a bit puzzled! All the references are easy enough to explain and children will be more knowledgeable after.
Skippyjon Jones is the first in a series of books featuring this frisky feline. As a family we own the entire set and enjoy reading them again and again. It is also a special treat to find a copy with Ms. Schachner reading the story herself.
Ms. Schachner has created a delightful character that will appeal to children and parents alike...especially those parents with curious, highly imaginative toddlers and pre-schoolers.
» Our thanks to Robin Storch for sharing this terrific review! Visit Little Bits of Life for more.
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