BOOKS: Skippyjon Jones

Congratulations to Jaime Layton for winning this week's book giveaway!  While this contest is now closed, please come back to SixSeeds for more giveaways for good, family, fun!

At SixSeeds, we believe in the power of a good story.  The books our children are hearing and reading will move, inspire, and sometimes even shape their lives... even young lives. This week, we take a popular kids' book and examine it. Hopefully, the next time you're browsing though a crowded bookstore, our reviews will help you sort through the thousands of titles…  and you can choose wisely.

Title: Skippyjon Jones (Special edition w/ CD including 5 stories)
Author & Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Age:  preschool- 3^rd grade
Cost: $17.99
Buy it: Here
Rating: 5 seeds out of 6

In  “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” famously accused Eustace Clarence Scrubb of  “reading all the wrong books.”

Inspired by this idea – that books shape young minds -- I set out looking for recently published picture books (suitable for preschoolers, even toddlers) to expose kids to good stories, ones to encourage imagination, fantasy, adventure, and even possibly courageous battle.

I was pleasantly surprised by a book on the kid’s display at Border’s bookstore. 

The New York Times Bestselling Series of five stories features Skippyjon Jones, a zany, imaginative Siamese cat whose “ears are too big for his head and whose head is too big for his body.”  The original book titled “Skippyjon Jones” has recently been republished as a special edition, including a CD of all five stories. 

In an interview with the author, Judy Schachner, the question was posed, “So what was the inspiration for the Skippyjon Jones books?  How did you create the stories?” 

Skippyjon's character is like a good stew. You start with a big pot. Then add a very funny brother named Kevin, who was famous in our house for his over-active imagination. Add a handful of Siamese cat named Skippy, one basement with a bumblebee in it, and a tussle in the litterbox. Finally a dash of Antonio Banderas. 

Imagine the Antonio Banderas’ accent, as the little bambino announces: 

My name is Skippito Friskito

I fear not a single bandito…

I’ll get the job done, yes indeed-o 

It’s comical, and at the same time gallant in a super-heroish sort of way.  You see, after being sent to his room to “think” after Mom discovers him taking a snooze in the bird nest – Skippyjon finds his way to the place where his imagination soars.  His closet. It is here that he is transformed into a Chihuahua, not just any Chihuahau, but the mighty sword fighting El Skippitto. 

He is the brave one who has come to Mexico to take back what rightfully belongs to a pack of Chihuahuas chums, the Los Chimichangos. He must rescue their beans  from the tummy of El Blimpo Bumblebeeto Bandito.  So, Skippito (Skippyjon) takes up his sword and heeds the challenge: 

Yip, Yippee, Yippito!

It’s the end of Alfredo Buzziton!

Skippito is here,

We have nothing to fear

Adios to the bad Bumblebeeto!”

The story line itself seems slightly cheesy. But it works. Schachner brings the sort of child-like wonder to her work that makes things work. She has a knack for drawing a child into a story (actually an adult as well), not to mention that she offers the added benefit of exposing the kiddos to some Spanish along the way.

The Bottom Line:

This story is packed full of the realities of boyhood mishaps (or downright chaos) but avoids the glorification of parental disrespect. It’s really hard not to love this spunky little bambino as he squeaks out the occasional “dude.” Schachner’s illustrations are fun. The book is hilarious but effuses the kind of adventuresome and courageous spirit we want our children to have.  Plus, Mom and Dad won’t mind reading this over and over again. (Which is a good thing because kids are going to want to hear this a few times.)

For Mom and Dad to Consider:

I love something about the ending of this book (and the author’s others). Whenever Skippyjon completes his adventures, he always ends up right back being loved on by his mother. This picture of a parent standing beside a child speaks volumes about the way stories should be formed. The time will come, soon enough, for tales where Mom and Dad are absent. However, in these young formative years –the ending offers the perfect yet delicate balance of adventure and parental protection.

To Talk To Your Kids About:

It’s so tempting to want our kids to focus on the here and now. What are their dreams? If they were writing an adventure, what kind of story would they create in order to be the hero?

We are giving this book away this week! Please leave a comment for a chance to win. We always love to hear from you.

On one week from publication at noon (EST), we'll pick a name in a random drawing from all eligible entries received and send you an email notification.  When you receive your package in the mail, you'll find out which book you received!

Limit one (1) entry per person; NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 18 or older as of date of entry.

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