The Happy Hocky Family (Paperback)

by Lane Smith (Author) "I am Mr. Hocky!..." (more)
Key Phrases: Baby Hocky, Henry Hocky

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Step aside, Dick and Jane, or the very hilarious Happy Hocky Family might just run you over. Deftly parodying the repetitious, simplistic sentence structure of basal readers with lots! of exclamation points, Smith adds his signature prankishness to a series of banal family escapades: "I have a balloon. Do you have a balloon? I have a balloon. My balloon is red. If you had a balloon, what color would it be? My balloon is red. POP! I have a string. Do you have a string? I have a string." In keeping with the campy tone, the artwork has a stylishly retrograde appeal, featuring smiley-faced stick figures block-printed in primary colors onto beige construction paper-quality pages. Unlike the frenzied intersection of word, image and design that distinguishes the artist's previous works (including The Big Pets and, with author Jon Scieszka, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales ), the comic impact of this book derives from Smith's deliberate pacing. Each punchline is delivered with a master comedian's timing. Go, Smith, go. All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Seventeen extremely short stories to delight the pre-primer crowd and their younger sibs. Smith parodies the smugly middle- class textbook, transforming boringly repeated lines into comic resignation in such dramas as a burst balloon: ``I have a balloon. Do you have a balloon? I have a balloon. My balloon is red...POP! I have a string. Do you have a string? I have a string.'' The Hockies may be a classic family of parents, boy, girl, baby, and pet, but these events--like those in Mother Goose or schoolyard lore--hinge on misfortune: ants escape; the contents of pockets shrivel in the wash; grandmother's perfume smells like too many flowers; a cousin habitually breaks toys; sibs exact retributive justice. The stories' easy informality is supported by illustrations featuring wonderfully expressive stick figures on paper-bag tan, spiced up with touches of bright red, blue, and mustard; Smith's graphics are disarmingly simple, but nonetheless expertly deployed. Fun for all. (Easy reader. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140557717
• ISBN-13: 978-0140557718
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #598,336 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT KIDS BOOK-- FOR ADULTS., December 30, 1999

By	KL (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is very funny and well animated. It is filled with a lot of dry humor that will probably go over the childs head. As I read it to my kids, I couldn't keep myself from laughing. This book is stinking funny!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great but not for young children, November 7, 2005

By	Pammela Quinn (Maryland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Happy Hocky Family (Viking Kestrel Picture Books) (Hardcover)

My husband, my 2-year-old daughter, and I are huge fans of the sequel - "The Happy Hockey Family moves to the country." So we were all very excited to get our hands on this book also. It is, as expected, a very funny, wry satire that is well-drawn and fun to read, BUT unlike the sequel it is really totally inappropriate for a small child. The book contains a segment about the very, very scary monsters that come in through the windows at night which is very frightening. So be warned that it is really a book for older kids (and parents) to enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very funny cute book by Marie U., April 1, 2005

A Kid's Review

This book is a little kid book, but I'm 13 and it still made me laugh with joy. This book is very simple yet funny about a little twisted family. I think everyone should read this book because it would make the grumpiest person.