Module 5 – Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

1. Citation- Schachner, Judy. Skippyjon Jones. Dutton Children's Books (New York). (0525471340) c2003.
   
2. Summary – The story is about a young cat with a vivid imagination. He gets into loads of trouble and gets sent to his room. However, once there, his imagination goes wild. He imagines himself as a Chihuahua on an adventure in Old Mexico. When he finally returns from his "adventure", his mother and sisters are tolerant (but a little reluctant) of his tale.
   
3. Impressions of the Book- This book is so much fun to read aloud! My children love this series because of the funny rhymes and the way the exacerbated Spanish accent rolls off the tongue. It reminds me a bit of the Looney Tunes "Speedy Gonzalez", and I can't help but laugh as I read about Skippyjon on his adventures. This is a must-read for anyone with young children. Skippyjon is a loveable character that kids can relate to with his high energy and vivid imagination. Get out your sombrero and get ready to read!
   
4. Reviews- by Carter L. Wiecking retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   "Skippyjon Jones" is so good on so many levels. It may just be the perfect children's book. No, the Platonic IDEAL of what a children's book should be...I'm that enamored of it!
   

   First, the plot is hilarious. Skippyjon is a Siamese cat with a fantastic imagination. His mother scolds him for being so un-catlike and sends him to his room "to think about what it means to be a Siamese cat." But of course Skippyjon doesn't think for long. His imagination takes over and poof! He's a famous sword-fighting chihuahua off on an adventure in old Mexico. He defeats Alfredo Buzzito, "el blimpo bumblebeeto bandito" and wins back all the beans Buzzito has stolen from Los Chimichangos, a band of desert-dwelling chihuahuas. And of course the noise of this adventure eventually brings him back to reality, with his mother and sisters scolding him again, but in such a fond and loving way that we're left feeling only their affection for the little kitty-boy scamp.
   

   Next, there are the pictures. Young readers and experienced readers both will enjoy the very funny illustrations, which include clues about just how Skippyjon GETS those wild ideas.
   

   Finally, there is the diction. The language in this book is inspired. It rollicks. It rolls. It plays with the audience, teases and tickles and delights little ears. And "holy guacamole," it sure is fun to read aloud!
   

   Thank you, Judith Schachner! – Carl L. Wiecking
   

5. Use in a library setting – This book would be a very fun book for a read aloud! I can imagine the students asking to check it out at the end of the session. Half the fun of the book is saying the words out loud, so I can't imagine reading it any other way.