An Anaconda Ate My Homework [Hardcover]

Alice Schertle (Author), Aaron Renier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

What do you do when your teacher assigns you ten pages of homework, a raptor swoops down and grabs you, and you suddenly find yourself all alone in the jungle about to be swallowed by a python? When you're Digby, the solution to every problem is in your backpack.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Imagination and a backpack full of gear trump uncreative paperwork in this high-energy comic book-style escapade. The story opens in a classroom where pale, gray-haired "Mr. Crumbundle, known to some as Crummy," overloads his students with homework. Digby stuffs the assignment in his yellow backpack on his way out. "But, as luck would have it," Digby's eventful trip home precludes Crummy's after-school plan, as Digby and his silent sidekick, a resourceful green frog, are plucked from the sidewalk by a "Gigantic Repulsive Raptor," swallowed by an anaconda and captured by a gorilla. Fortunately, Digby carries a treasure trove of items (bubblegum, party balloons, a basketball) that save him at every turn. Renier (Spiral-Bound) favors a sinister ink line reminiscent of cartoonist Charles Burns's work, and he loads every millimeter of space with activity. Schertle's (Little Blue Truck) exposition and voice-bubble dialogue keep the hair-raising, humorous adventure at a fever pitch ("Guts 'n' innards! Yuck!" Digby shouts from inside the snake). Digby's exploits put "the dog ate my homework" to shame. Ages 4-8.
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From School Library Journal

Grade 3–5—When Digby complains about a lengthy homework assignment, Mr. Crumbundle promptly tacks on an additional 10 pages for him. On his way home, the boy is snatched up by a gigantic repulsive raptor, swallowed by an anaconda, and tossed around by a playful gorilla. Each time he finds himself in danger, Digby finds the solution to his problem in his seemingly bottomless backpack. Riding on the back of a rogue elephant, he eventually arrives at the Oval Office, where his homework is officially canceled by presidential order. Schertle's over-the-top text and zany situations will appeal to children who enjoy the similarly frenetically paced adventures in Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" series (Viking). Renier's colorful cartoon art lends a graphic feel to the offering. Numerous text balloons supplement the narrative, and the action is displayed in boxes with varying directionality throughout. Far too much is happening to make this suitable for group presentation, but it will certainly find its audience.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ END

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423113543
• ISBN-13: 978-1423113546
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,699,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digby and his magic backpack choose adventure over homework, March 27, 2010

By 

natebeaty (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Anaconda Ate My Homework (Hardcover)

I sure wish Aaron was around when I was a kid, I would have eaten his drawings up. Gorgeously illustrated and colored, with a fun & light story to guide you through the visual treats. Aaron is a master at drawing fully-realized environments with all sorts of details to pore over on reread after reread. Keep your head straight and stack your backpack with Digby's adventures.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Illustrations Make it a 5 Star Book!, May 22, 2010

By 

Krissy D. (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: An Anaconda Ate My Homework (Hardcover)

The story in this book is a little thin. This, however, works well for certain age kids, since there is less to read. When I first read it I didn't even notice the kind of weak text, I was so enthralled and in love with the illustrations. The illustrations are really what makes this such an excellent book. Aaron Renier's illustration are so wondrous, each page filled with so many things to look at without being overwhelming. Renier's artwork is filled with many stories itself, but then also illustrate the story by Alice Shertle. The result is a muti-layer book that seems deceptively simple at first, but because of the engaging artwork keeps your attention.

I watched a friend read this book to his 4 year old daughter. It was while just listening to it that I realized how the story, the text itself is a little weak, but she sat there quiet and still and looking carefully at each page. I liked the idea that this is the kind of book she can "read" on her own. The full page, full color pages are entertaining on their own. I hope to find more books illustrated by Aaron Renier.