From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-King-Smith has created another richly personified animal character in this delightful, fast-paced, beginning- chapter book. Judy teaches her guinea pig, Jenius, several tricks, despite the fact that her teacher and parents say that guinea pigs aren't trainable. Jenius, in turn, is told by his parents that he can't learn tricks. As they succeed, both Judy and Jenius become boastful. Finally, Judy's teacher allows her to bring her pet to school to perform. But he is shocked into immobility at the sight of a caged cat. The teacher and both sets of parents-human and animal-feel that Judy and Jenius have learned a valuable lesson. The curtain closes with Dad, who has promised to eat his hat if the guinea pig can perform, witnessing a few of Jenius's tricks. Floca's spare ink sketches add life to this tale of communication and misunderstanding. Pair this gem with Michael Bond's The Tales of Olga da Polga (S & S, 1989), another prize story about a guinea pig with ample personality.
Christina Dorr, Calcium Primary School, NYCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 2^-3. The prolific author of
Babe tells a story about another kind of pig this time--not a sheepherder and, in fact, not even a real porker, but a guinea pig. No matter, though. This pig may not be gallant, but he's a genius--or "Jenius," as Judy, his nearly eight-year-old owner spells it in her journal. How she convinces her doubting parents, teacher, and classmates that her pet lives up to his name provides the low-key drama for this slight--but amusing--chapter book.
Michael Cart
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.