It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (Picture Puffin Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Caralyn Buehner (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Picture Puffin Books

Are your manners monstrous? Or marvelous? Victor Vulture, Crocodila Jones, and their friends demonstrate the right -- and wrong -- things to say and do in this humorous guide to proper manners. The correct answer to each manners question is hidden in the picture. With hilarious artwork and many hidden animals to challenge sharp-eyed readers, this is a fun -- and surprising -- way to learn manners. "Part Emily Post and part I Spy game, this humorous guide to basic etiquette painlessly provides plenty of solid information on societal do's and don'ts." -- Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When a crocodile is eating an armadillo, should she put her napkin (a) on her head, (b) in her ear, or (c) on her lap? If you can't figure out the answer to this silly etiquette quiz, peer into the color-rich full-page illustration, where you'll find the subtly hidden letter c. Each page of this delightful book poses one or two quiz questions, designed to test whether your child's manners are monstrous or marvelous. When Mother Cobra is busy talking to Mrs. Python, for example, how should Cory Cobra get her attention? Should he (a) hiss, (b) eat a rabbit, or (c) wait quietly? No doubt your child will answer "Hiss" and then erupt into giggles, but will know that (sigh) "Wait quietly" is probably the real answer. Caralyn and Mark Buehner--creators of A Job for Wittilda and The Escape of Marvin the Ape--have succeeded again with this lighthearted alternative to the usual persistent parental nudging. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

This comical etiquette book is "part Emily Post, part I Spy game," said PW. "The seek-and-find possibilities will surely tickle junior sleuths while turning them into the very models of modern manners." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140564276
• ISBN-13: 978-0140564273
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The husband-and-wife team behind the best-selling Snowmen at Night and Snowmen at Christmas, Caralyn and Mark Buehner are also the creators of the award-winning Fanny's Dream. Upcoming collaborations include an original fairy tale about a lonely princess who decides to become a hairdresser. They live in Utah with their nine children.

You can find more information about Mark and Caralyn's books and upcoming signings by visiting their website at www.buehnerbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful illustrations but tedious to read., November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (Picture Puffin Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

The illustrations are excellent-colorful and imaginative. The text is somewhat difficult to read aloud in an interesting manner. While the short stories are clever and creative, they are too complex for an average child to comprehend in one reading. The concept of using the absurd to illustrate the proper is slightly abused in this book. The inclusion of the word "stupid" was in poor taste. After laughing about calling someone stupid, it is difficult to explain why we shouldn't call someone that and still retain any credibility. I was disapointed with the book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel, May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: It's A Spoon, Not A Shovel (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book provided my son's preschool class with laughter and excitement. They were glued to me as I read this to the class. My children want it read to them all the time. My five year old loves to read it by himself and that is something he is really proud of, as well as I am.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wait until your child is 5 or 6 years old, November 2, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (Picture Puffin Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

My 4-year old son was far less interested in the stories than the pictures (which are great and very detailed). However, the lessons emphasize good manners (waiting until your turn to speak, talking with your mouth full), although some are probably a bit lost on a 4-year old (i.e. how to answer the telephone politely, introducing your friend to your family memebers). I'm not overly impressed with this book in general.