Customer Reviews

The Lucky Lizard (Puffin Chapters)

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

 

 

Lucky is the reader who discovers this delightful book. Ellen Kelly's lizard-narrator, Bima, is fresh, funny, smart and, at times, smart-alecky; kind of like a big brother - - with scales! He truly cares about Todd, his human owner, and takes him under his wing . . . er, tail, as the two of them skitter through mishaps and adventures that will have you falling out of your chair laughing! (Wait till you read the lizard-taco scene!) The ending, when both Todd and Bima at long last overcome their fears, will satisfy readers, but also have them yearning for a sequel. A perfect book for any boy or girl who has mastered easy-to-reads, but is not quite ready for a middle grade novel. A wonderful read-aloud, as well. Recommend for ages 6-9.

It's hard to imagine a successful first-person novel, written from the viewpoint of a lizard. Yet, Ellen Kelley proves that it can be done and very, very well. Bima, the lucky lizard himself, is smart, believable, funny, whimsical, and yet touching in his devotion to Todd. Kelley walks a clever line, giving Bima certain human abilities (he learns to read from watching TV, for example) while keeping him delightfully lizard-ly. Bima can't talk to Todd, and yet the two understand each other and are fast friends. This book begs for a sequel. What will happen next? It's is a great choice for reluctant readers, especially boys though girls will love it too. Kids who love animals and kids who love to laugh will all love THE LUCKY LIZARD.

Leaping Lizards! This is a fun story. It's not easy to write a tale with a lizard as the narrator, but Ms. Kelly pulls it off. Children will learn that seemingly insurmountable fears can be overcome. And it's a darn, cute story too.