Jasper John Dooley:Public Library Enemy - 1
(Ages 6 to 8)
By : Caroline Adderson
Publisher : Kids Can Press ( Apr., 2016)
The sixth book in the hilarious chapter book series "Jasper John Dooley" which won many awards.Although it`s the sixth in it`s series the story stands alone. This is a book for the emerging reader. It provides a fast paced interesting story line discussing many subjects that assures to keep kids stay glued to the book till the end.
Starting from the most exciting news about a reading event for "Molly the library dog" the story moves ahead with many equally exciting episodes.As Jasper`s borrowed book from the library gets soaked in the bath water and then baked and accidentally burned by his father. Which leads to another series of events as Jasper having read the cost of the book wrong ( as 2500 for 25.00) struggles to pay his library fine with the help of his fried Ori. Jasper and Ori`s innovative ideas from trying an all toast restaurant are very much "a kid`s world" and would easily bring them close to the book.The story will become more interesting towards the end as the boys organize a "Read to Your Pet Fiesta Party Hoopla Celebration" to recover the real cost of the book.
Jasper`s sadness of having to "kill" his library book sends it`s readers a message about being cautious and responsible. It exposes children to money matters and related math problems.Jasper learns from Ori that a dot in the middle separates dollars from cents. "See the two and the five?See the zeros?See what`s in between them?"..."Burned stuff and a tiny dot"..."The thing is Jasper?That tiny dot just saved your life" And few more lessons will follow about money as the story progresses. His knowledge in adding up money improves with his one day all toast restaurant work and later on. The book maybe helpful in bringing out an interest to read for reluctant readers as well. ( naturally they`ll want to try to read to a pet!) Above all these issues are addressed smoothly and without letting them be burdened by the knowledge that they are being taught.
Children will doubtlessly enjoy this story. They`ll be entertained by Jasper and Ori`s pet reading sessions, horrified by the burning book, excited by their toast restaurant and the "Read to Your Pet Fiesta Party Hoopla Celebration". They will learn about a new method to dry a damp book!. The fact that Jasper was actually able to earn something seems to be a self-dignifying fact that makes him feel proud in the end. The text is engaging and simple. As the readers will get to know that some could be " bird people" or "cat people" just as there are "Raspberry Jam persons" and "Marmalade people". Though the story introduces some new words, it`s written in relatively short sentences with the help of phrases and very simple language. Each chapter is supported by a helpful single page pencil-sketched illustration.
An excellent book packed with knowledge,ideas and lots of fun!!
All of these stories in the Jasper John Dooley series are engaging and written in simple language which makes them ideal as early reading chapter books.
With many thanks to Kids Can Press and Net Galley for the digital copy in return for a honest review .
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