Customer Reviews

Spinky Sulks (Sunburst Book)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was surprised to see the reviews here that were critical of this book, because of Spinky's attitude.

Spinky is not supposed to be a role model. His is an example of how NOT to behave. This message wasn't too subtle for my seven year old son to pick up on. It's a shame that a couple of adults here had it fly over their heads.

I believe that William Steig has created a wonderful story that accurately depicts how children act, and that willfulness, stubborness, and self-centeredness need to be overcome. The pictures are also some of the funniest that I've ever seen in a children's picture book, or anywhere else for that matter.

I am 36 years old and noticed this book, by the author of SHREK, on the shelf at the public library and checked it out for my daughter. I was expecting a good book, but this one just plain blew me away. It's funny, poignant, and has a couple lessons in it that every parent (maybe even every *person*) should keep in mind, about the difference between a sincere apology and an insincere one, and about how carrying a grudge forever is self-defeating.

"Spinky Sulks" is hilarious! William Steig has caught the exact feelings of every child at some point in their life. It is a great story that I enjoy reading to my five year old daughter over and over. Appealing to adults and to kids.

This is a fantastically funny book with great writing and great illustrations: Spinky's sullen mood is particularly well-captured. Note to those who dislike this book: the story is an example of humor through exaggeration. I think that kids understand exaggeration intuitively. At least I hope they do.

The story is funny because Spinky's sullen attitude is extreme -- but admit it, haven't you ever felt this way.? "They don't appreciate me! I'll show them! They'll be sorry!" Steig has done a magnificent job of capturing the unreasonable attitude of a sulker. I've given this book to sulkers, and they laughed with delight when they recognized their "bad attitudes." A great book.

Spinky is sulking.

His family does not understand him, or so it seems to Spinky. He has many other misgivings and is harboring a long litany of slights.

His brother Hitch tries to cheer him up. "'You are posilutely right' Hitch said. `I looked it up. Philadelphia is the capital of Belgium'".

It doesn't work. Spinky continues to sulk.

Other family members try to comfort him as well. "I'm sorry I called you Stinky, Spinky", his sister Willamina admits.

Notwithstanding Spinky's obnoxious behavior, his family persists in its demonstration of unconditional love.

Here are some examples of Spinky's demeanor in response:

* Spinky lay there like a stone.

* Spinky's mother sat with him and held his hand, but his arm hung down like a noodle.

* She (Spinky's grandmother) gave him a big fat hug, but Spinky went limp in her arms.

Meanwhile, the family pets, a blunt nosed pooch with a snout like a sawed off shotgun, and a very clever looking cat, file meaningfully in and out of the scene.

In the end there is forgiveness and redemption all around. Something of importance has been learned and broken relationships have been healed.

Kids will love this book, and parents will enjoy reading it too.

I grew up reading William Steig books, and this was one of my all time favorites. Every kid finds him or herself in a bad mood that just gets worse over time. The point of the story, though, is that Spinky gets himself out of his funk. Instead of putting me in a sulky mood, this book always helped me get out of one, because I felt like someone else knew what it was like, too.

Spinky Sulks is a brilliant, gorgeous book. Our hero, Spinky, is highly sensitive and has been driven over the edge by his impossible (but loving) family. He is a boy of deep feeling and very introspective - although he does not seem to realize how impossible he is.
Each time I read it, I savor the delicious fantasy moments, such as having an older brother grovel and repeat as a pearl of wisdom the obviously incorrect words Spinky used in an argument, the father coming out to sit and lecture Spinky armed with a pipe and a beer . . .
Best of all is the way it ends... All is well, the family is forgiven, Spinky is bathed in loved, sitting happily in his father's lap, assured that everyone is well-trained to avoid offending him & provoking another sulk. But then comes the final sentence. "Too bad it couldn't last forever."

This book should never go out of print. I highly recommend it for children and adults. I really love the idea of reading it at the same time as the opening of the Illiad.

This story is about a boy named Spinky and his bad attitude. Every time his family did something he didn't like he would start to sulk and climb into his hammock. His family tries everything to cheer him up. His sister even picks daisies for him but he just throws them on the ground. I think people can really relate to this book. This book is very interesting to read. I like this book a lot.

A friend of mine bought this book and wanted to read it to my son. I read the book first and my initial impression was negative. However, I let my friend go ahead and read it. My son liked it, but he also enthusiasticaly took on the 'Spinky' attitude and began to sulk after the slightest rebuke from anyone. Spinky is negative, selfcentered, and unforgiving. He pessimistically finds ulterior motives for others acts of kindness toward him. His last minute realisation that the folks aren't all bad, at least they're trying, so I guess I'll forgive them afterall, doesn't negate his negative character that is built up in the first three quarters of the book. Kids will pick up on his basic character, not his one act of forgiveness at the end.

We threw this book right out. William Steig is very disappointing this time around.
Spinky is a spoilt, undisciplined, overly-sensitive brat. His parents are extremely indulgent and coddle him endlessly. They permit and encourage this sort of tantrum-ish behavior. This book is so pop-psych that it's sickening. Instead of disciplining him and/or simply telling him to get over it, they spoil him endlessly. The story really is quite stupid. My children were not impressed either.
This book encourages this sort of self-centred nonsense that has become all too common in this day and age. I mean, come on, what responsible parent is going to allow their young child to sleep outdoors in the pouring rain overnight? Don't get this one. Even though we will not be using our copy, I don't even plan to give it to anyone, or to recycle it. It's going straight in the trash.
His other books are better. Particularly, Brave Irene and Doctor De Soto.