Customer Reviews

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels (Candlewick Readers)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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

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.