It's Simple, Said Simon [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Hoberman (Author), Meilo So (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

One day, a boy goes out for a walk. He encounters a dog, a cat, and a horse. The dog dares him to growl, the cat dares him to stretch, and the horse dares him to jump. "It's simple," says Simon. Then he meets a tiger, who challenges him to all three dares, with increasing difficulty. Will the boy best the tiger, or the tiger best the boy?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Simon may be careless, but he's no simpleton. When this self-assured young boy encounters a dog, a cat, and a horse one day in the city, they challenge him to growl, stretch, and jump, in turn. No problem for this fellow. "It's simple," says Simon. But when he meets a tiger, it almost looks as though Simon has met his match. After boosting the boy's ego with greater and greater challenges, the wily feline tricks him into jumping onto his back, and away they go into the jungle. As the sun sets, Simon gets nervous. "Could you please take me home now?" he asks. "It's almost suppertime, and I'm hungry." The tiger responds ominously: "I am, too." Will our hero outfox the tiger and get home in time for supper? You know the refrain: "It's simple," says Simon.

Mary Ann Hoberman's clever story, terrific for read-aloud, has all the elements of a classic fable: a cunning, dangerous animal, an appealing, confident hero, a battle of wits, and a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. Hoberman is the author of many acclaimed books, including A House Is a House for Me and And to Think That We Thought That We'd Never Be Friends. Meilo So's stunning illustrations, created with inks and watercolors on Indian rice paper, are the perfect vehicle for Hoberman's tale. Broad, loose strokes and splashes of color belie the careful intricacy of each gorgeous image. So's exquisite watercolors can be found in several award-winning books, including Tasty Baby Belly Buttons. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

In the tradition of clever heroes who outwit wily animals, this agreeable picture book features an unflappable hero who is anything but simple. When challenged by various animals, Simon can growl like a dog, stretch like a cat and jump like a horse. "It's Simple," says Simon. But when a cunning tiger asks the boy to demonstrate his skills, Simon needs all his wits about him to wriggle out of becoming the big cat's supper. Like the work of Ardizonne or Zemach, So's (Tasty Baby Belly Buttons) watercolor-and-ink illustrations feature loose lines and a strong sense of movement. Unfortunately, the expressiveness of her animal characters is often more appealing than that of Simon himself, whose face sometimes seems inconsistently drawn. Hoberman's (A House Is a House for Me) text borrows devices used by familiar fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters with plenty of repeated phrases and actions. But Simon so effortlessly outmaneuvers the tiger that the outcome doesn't come as a surprise. Nonetheless, So's swirls of color and animated black lines, her deliciously sly tiger and the varied design of the spreads and end papers all provide a sense of energy and excitement. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (March 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375812016
• ISBN-13: 978-0375812019
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,300,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Ann Hoberman is a poet and the critically acclaimed author of many books for children, including the beloved A House Is a House for Me, which won a National Book Award. She was also the editor of the poetry anthology My Song Is Beautiful: Poems and Pictures in Many Voices. Ms. Hoberman gives readings in libraries and schools, and her poems are included in countless anthologies. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simply Fun Book, April 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Simple, Said Simon (Hardcover)

Simon's adventures grow progressively more exciting and dangerous, but he eventually finds simple solutions to every problem. Children will love the refrain, "It's simple." They will also love Simon who shows wit and bravery when life gets a little scary. So's illustrations are magical but simple enough to match the tone of the story. Hoberman's text is fun to read out loud to a group. This would be a great new book for story time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simply Terrific Read-Aloud Story, June 10, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Simple, Said Simon (Hardcover)

Little Simon has many talents. When asked, he can growl like a dog, stretch like a cat and jump like a horse, "It's simple," says Simon. But when he meets a wily old tiger who first, hands out the kudos to gain Simon's confidence and then tricks him into climbing onto his back, things start to look grim for our fearless hero. Will Simon be able to outsmart the tiger and save himself.....? Mary Ann Hoberman has written a delightful story that includes all the elements of a good fable, a brave hero, a dangerous animal villain and circumstances that offer a true battle of wits. Her easy to read, amusing and gentle text, with repetitious refrain, will have youngsters involved and "helping" you read in no time. Meilo So's imaginative and expressive watercolor artwork adds just the right touch and together this dynamic team have authored a picture book that's both perfect for beginning readers and a wonderful read-aloud story the whole family will enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, October 4, 2011

By 

Danielle E. Horton (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Simple, Said Simon (Paperback)

This is a beautiful tiger tale. We love reading it and looking at the pictures! We love acting out all the actions in this story. This is not one we read at bedtime because the tiger encourages rowdiness!