17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore

Before I begin, I want to say that I was very excited to get my hands on this book. I had heard great things! I was more excited to see that we had a copy at our local library. Unfortunately, my reaction after seeing the book was not as positive as I hoped. I am a sucker for illustrations. My kids and I love to pore through details and I am always excited to point out the various artistic styles. Like Charlie and Lola (favorite book characters in our house) the illustrations integrated real elements such as fabric and food that tied in with the pictures. I especially liked the gift bow pulled across the page when she wants to give the gift of food to her brother. So I really do like the illustrations. My problem was with the story. Each double page spread begins with the phrase, "I had an idea to...." followed by things like walking backwards on the way to school or gluing her brother's slippers to the floor. Then the opposite page begins with "I am not allowed to..." do whatever it was anymore. Maybe my first read through should have been by myself, but my kids saw the book in my bag and wanted to read it. Again, a nice cover that draws the reader to the book. So I began reading aloud. I thought, "What a neat concept. What a spunky little girl." But after a few pages I began to tire of reading the repetitive text. I also began to think, "Oh boy, I hope my kids don't get any ideas from this book." There are some spots where the spunky girl throws food, staples her brother's hair to the pillow, and tries to start a fire on a boy's shoe with a magnifying glass and the power of the sun. Then I questioned whether I was being a prude and maybe I am. Overall I just didn't get the book as it progressed. In the end, the little girl has an idea to say the opposite of what she means in order to trick everyone and make them believe that she is sorry. This book just didn't do it for me. Yet I must say I am a huge fan of Junie B. Jones, David in David Shannon's No, David!, and the beloved Ramona. There was a missing element in this story that didn't create that same naughty but likeable character.
Although only four and five, my kids did really like the book.

Find other reviews of this book at:
Planet Esme
Book Buds
Your Neighborhood Librarian

The Shivers in the Fridge

The Shivers by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky is a very clever story about a family of magnets who accidentally get placed into the fridge rather than on the outside. The inside of the fridge is portrayed as a very cold and scary world where monsters (People) frequently visit and cause earthquakes. One by one the Shivers are pulled out of the fridge by the monsters in creative ways related to food. The Grandpa goes out to search for a warmer place and gets stuck to the top of a ketchup bottle. Mama gets stuck in a warm bowl of jello! Be sure to notice a clue as to how the Shivers find their way into the fridge on the page before the title page. When you are finished reading, pull off the dust jacket to discover one of Paul's first ideas for the cover of the book. View it's opposite on the back cover of the book!
I have been noticing that his artwork for this book has drawn some mixed reviews. Although the artwork in this book diverges from his usual work, I appreciate an illustrator that takes risks and tries new techniques. I purchased this book at the Keene State College Literature Festival in October. Paul was a guest speaker and did some on the spot illustrations of the characters using his computer drawing software (?Adobe) and a stylus and pad.
He also mentioned how he went to the grocery store to get his creative "juices" flowing! I can appreciate that as I view the mushroom fire hydrant and the ginger dog on each page.
As for a kids response to this book, my kids love it. I think it is the suspense of finding out what they already know, that the Shivers are only magnets placed accidentally in the fridge. As an extension to reading the book, my kids and I made a bowl of green jello! I just wish we had our own little set of the Shivers to add to our refridgerator.

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