Customer Reviews

Jackalope

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I work in a small town library, and today when the UPS man came in the door with the Jackalope in a delivery box, it just made my day. No quiet was had at the front desk while reading this original and hilarious tale. Of course being a Texan didn't hurt understanding the story line--the jackalope is legendary here. The illulstrations are top rate, and as good as any of the previous efforts by the authors. The story is original and wonderfully retold.
I can't wait to share it with my grandson as well as the story time with the young readers at the library. My big two thumbs up!

I purchased this book because it had such an intersting title: JACKALOPE. Simple, yet mysterious. A jackalope is an imaginary (well, maybe not totally imaginary) creature that has the body of a jack rabbit and the horns of an antelope. This book is "the absolute truth" about what happened to the jackalope. The story is narrated by a crudgy old armadillo who sits in a lawn chair.

Basically, there once was a jack rabbit named Jack who wasn't happy being who he was. He wanted to be a fierce and frightening creature. One day he wished upon a star and his fairy godrabbit appeared and gave him the horns of an antelope. But there was a catch, but Jack was so excited, he didn't listen to what the catch was.

This is a hilarious story that mixes everything together from American tall tales to classic fairy tales. There's a little bit of Cinderella, Pinocchio, the big bad wolf (coyote) from Little Red Riding Hood involved. There's also a touch of Aesop's fables and a magic mirror that is probably a cousin to the one in Snow White. All of this and vegetable jokes and witty wordplay. Plus, some really clever illustrations. Tack on a false ending and some scientific facts about jackrabbits, antelope, and horned toads and you've got yourself one mighty fine story. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a great story, age doesn't matter.

The sister duo who produced this book obviously had lots of fun--with word play, corny jokes, rhymes, and borrowed bits and pieces of classic tales-a fairy godrabbit and a magic mirror that admonishes, "I don't just reflect, I need your respect." They tack on a false ending plus an old-fashioned moral: "Like yourself as you are."

They set out to tell the TRUE story of that unique Western creature--the jackalope, a jack rabbit with antelope horns--and pull it off wonderfully with an irreverent attitude and silly illustrations.

I bought this book because I liked these authors' style. I enjoyed the tongue in cheek humor that came through in this story. Often in reading children's books I can predict what will happen but not here- I looked forward to turning each page to see what would happen next- and was often surprised- chuckling with each new turn of events.

The pictures and story are great. I read it with my fourth grade class and they really enjoyed it. We discussed personification and onomonapeia while reading the story.

I like this book because it is a different and fun story. It is completely silly, but in a good way. I think four to seven year olds will really enjoy it and parents will not be bored reading this with their kids. (Would also be great in the classroom)

We love reading this book at bedtime. Its creatively written and lends itself to funny voices that amp up the entertainment value. My 4 yr old loves it.

Fun book when discussing folklore--the kids I read it to (7 and 8 years old) really liked it. They immediately tied it to Pinocchio. Written in a fun way with the narrator (an armadillo) using rhyming side bars to keep the story going. Wonderful illustrations, too!

I was working at my daughter's school when her teacher read this book. (If you can find a copy with the book on tape it is great) This book is so funny and the kids loved it. It has some great humor in there for adults to enjoy as well as the kids. In the end it has a lesson to be learned. This is a must have book!

I had to laugh as a read this book to my daughters. It teaches a wonderful lesson to be happy with who you are, not who you think you want to be. I loved the ending... enjoy!