Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels (Candlewick Readers) [Hardcover]

Jamie Michalak (Author), Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2009 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Candlewick Readers

An adventurous giraffe drives off with his friend, a cautious turtle, to see the world in an endearing comedy of errors perfect for early readers.

Sparky is a turtle who likes to stay inside his shell. Joe is a giraffe who likes to stretch his neck and see the world. When a car appears one day at the famous cageless zoo where they live, the two set off on the ride of their lives, with Joe behind the wheel and Sparky hanging on for dear life. From the shopping mall to the car wash to the take-out burger joint, Joe and Sparky cause mayhem everywhere they go. Young readers will love sharing the road with this unlikely pair in a string of adventures that are by turns innocent, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jamie Michalak is a children’s book editor and writer. She lives in Barrington, Rhode Island, with her husband and two sons. She does not have super driving skills.

Frank Remkiewicz has illustrated many books for children, including the PIGGY AND DAD Brand New Readers and PIGGY AND DAD GO FISHING. He lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763633879
• ISBN-13: 978-0763633875
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jamie Michalak is a children's book author and editor. Her books include JOE AND SPARKY GET NEW WHEELS and its follow-up, JOE AND SPARKY, SUPERSTARS!, both illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; LARRY AND RITA illustrated by Jill Newton; and FAIRY TEA PARTY and FAIRY GOODNIGHT KISSES illustrated by Kaori Watanabe.

When not writing or editing, she can often be found playing with her two young boys--marching in parades, walking the plank, or singing (badly) in their band. Jamie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in the same neighborhood that Dr. Seuss once lived in. She now resides in Barrington, Rhode Island with her husband and sons. Like Joe Giraffe, she does not have super driving skills.

To read more about Jamie's books, drop by her website at www.jamiemichalak.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friends for Life, September 5, 2011

By 

Heidi Grange (Logan, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels: Candlewick Sparks (Paperback)

Joe (a giraffe) is the adventurous leader, Sparky (a turtle) would rather sit on his rock in the pond. But Sparky being a good friend, follows along, rather reluctantly, as Joe finds ways to spice up their humdrum existence. The writing is clear and easy to follow and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. The plot lines are appealing, involving a day outside the zoo in a car and the followup (Joe and Sparky, Superstars!) involves discovering one's talents. Character-wise, Joe's enthusiasm and Sparky's love of home make for a pair of endearing characters. Highly recommended as a read-a-loud or for early readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny Friends, June 23, 2010

By 

Whatcha Reading Now? (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels (Candlewick Readers) (Hardcover)

Joe and Sparky are unlikely friends. Not only is Joe a giraffe while Sparky is a turtle, but Joe loves to stretch his neck and see the world while Sparky likes to hibernate in his shell on a warm rock. When Joe sees a shiny yellow convertible sports car pull up at the zoo gate, he's convinced it's his prize from a contest he entered. With a little nudging, Joe riles up Sparky and together they zoom off for a day of wild adventures.

Their differences are vast but their friendship is as tight as the glue that holds the fruit on Joe's new hat. As they explore a store downtown, a drive-thru restaurant where they order flies but receive fries, a car wash and more, the reader will fall in love with this quirky duo. And by the end, I bet you'll be begging for a pet giraffe.

Jamie Michalak has created a timeless book about friendship with just enough laughs to keep kids begging to read it over and over again. Frank Remkiewics's illustrations are bright and fun, allowing us to feel as if we're there with Joe and Sparky on that perfect blue-skied day.
--Reviewed by Kerry O'Malley Cerra

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost know it by heart!, June 8, 2009

By 

E. Harrison (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels (Candlewick Readers) (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my 2-1/2 yr old son, knowing that it might be a little advanced for him since it is a chapter book. I was way off! He wants to read it every day before his nap and before bedtime. We read one chapter at a time, so he can look forward to reading about what's going to happen next. The message is clear and simple, but it goes a long way. The story, as well as the illustrations, creates a lot of questions and conversation between us; and to me, that is usually a sign of a great book.