It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel [Hardcover]

Caralyn Buehner (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

An irresistible book for teaching manners, guaranteed to delight and instruct children, but also to make their parents roar with laughter.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When a crocodile is eating an armadillo, should she put her napkin (a) on her head, (b) in her ear, or (c) on her lap? If you can't figure out the answer to this silly etiquette quiz, peer into the color-rich full-page illustration, where you'll find the subtly hidden letter c. Each page of this delightful book poses one or two quiz questions, designed to test whether your child's manners are monstrous or marvelous. When Mother Cobra is busy talking to Mrs. Python, for example, how should Cory Cobra get her attention? Should he (a) hiss, (b) eat a rabbit, or (c) wait quietly? No doubt your child will answer "Hiss" and then erupt into giggles, but will know that (sigh) "Wait quietly" is probably the real answer. Caralyn and Mark Buehner--creators of A Job for Wittilda and The Escape of Marvin the Ape--have succeeded again with this lighthearted alternative to the usual persistent parental nudging. (Ages 4 to 8)

From Publishers Weekly

Part Emily Post and part I Spy game, this humorous guide to basic etiquette painlessly provides plenty of solid information on societal do's and don'ts. One page of each spread contains a brief scenario followed by one or two multiple-choice quizzes, opposite which a quirky animal cast depicts the action described. With her playful use of language and suitably silly set-ups ("Gazing into her sweetheart's eyes while eating an armadillo, Miss Crocodila Jones doesn't notice that she is sitting on her napkin"), Caralyn Buehner (A Job for Wittilda) makes her text both comical and educational-(Crocodila's napkin-placement options, for example, are "a. On her head. b. In her ear. c. On her lap"). Mark Buehner's (The Adventures of Taxi Dog) lush palette and deft use of light and shadow characterize his paintings, many of which feature unusual perspectives and fetching closeups. In a clever challenge for readers, the letters corresponding to the correct quiz answers are hidden in the accompanying pictures. Numerous other seek-and-find possibilities will surely tickle junior sleuths while turning them into the very models of modern manners. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803714947
• ISBN-13: 978-0803714946
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The husband-and-wife team behind the best-selling Snowmen at Night and Snowmen at Christmas, Caralyn and Mark Buehner are also the creators of the award-winning Fanny's Dream. Upcoming collaborations include an original fairy tale about a lonely princess who decides to become a hairdresser. They live in Utah with their nine children.

You can find more information about Mark and Caralyn's books and upcoming signings by visiting their website at www.buehnerbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful illustrations but tedious to read., November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (Picture Puffin Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

The illustrations are excellent-colorful and imaginative. The text is somewhat difficult to read aloud in an interesting manner. While the short stories are clever and creative, they are too complex for an average child to comprehend in one reading. The concept of using the absurd to illustrate the proper is slightly abused in this book. The inclusion of the word "stupid" was in poor taste. After laughing about calling someone stupid, it is difficult to explain why we shouldn't call someone that and still retain any credibility. I was disapointed with the book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel, May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: It's A Spoon, Not A Shovel (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book provided my son's preschool class with laughter and excitement. They were glued to me as I read this to the class. My children want it read to them all the time. My five year old loves to read it by himself and that is something he is really proud of, as well as I am.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wait until your child is 5 or 6 years old, November 2, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (Picture Puffin Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

My 4-year old son was far less interested in the stories than the pictures (which are great and very detailed). However, the lessons emphasize good manners (waiting until your turn to speak, talking with your mouth full), although some are probably a bit lost on a 4-year old (i.e. how to answer the telephone politely, introducing your friend to your family memebers). I'm not overly impressed with this book in general.