Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? [Hardcover]

Bonnie Lass (Author), Philemon Sturges (Author), Ashley Wolff (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

This text is a fun adaptation of the classic playground song. Help Skunk solve the mystery as he asks each of his animal friends, Mouse, Raven, Squirrel, Rabbit, Turtle, Raccoon, Snake, Beaver, and Frog, who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A picture-book adaptation of the familiar childhood game featuring animal characters. Wolff's distinctive watercolor-and-pen art brings the lively chant to life. The title page shows Skunk taking cookies out of an oven, but by the first page of the story, the cookie jar is empty. Accompanied by Lizard, he ventures out into a desert landscape accusing, in turn, a number of animals of taking his baked goods. Each illustration provides a visual clue to which creature Skunk will approach next. A feather on the ground leads to Raven, and so on. The authors expand on the game by allowing each animal to respond with an alibi of sorts. For example, Beaver replies, "Who, me?/Couldn't be!/My favorite snack/Is sticks in a stack." Children will enjoy the challenge of solving the mystery and astute observers will notice the clues provided on the front cover and title page. In the happy ending, the culprit Ants invite all of the animals to share Skunk's cookies, and the baker himself doesn't seem to mind. This book includes instructions to play the circle game, and the music and guitar chords necessary to sing the song. Fun for storytimes and for one-on-one sharing.
Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3-5. A children's rhyme is given visual expression in this colorful picture book. "Who took the cookies from the cookie jar?" is the repeated question, which is followed by protests from various animals being accused of cookie theft. Ashley Wolff sets the illustrations in the American Southwest; a skunk, dressed western style, with a bandana, a vest, and a cowboy hat, plays detective, searching for clues and asking about the cookies. The artwork is bright and cheerful, ending with a double-page spread of all the animals (and the guilty ants) munching cookies in the moonlight. Directions for playing a game based on the rhyme, plus music for the rhyme, preface the story. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316820164
• ISBN-13: 978-0316820165
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Took the Cookies From the Cookie Jar?, December 11, 2004

By 

Mrs. Z (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? (Hardcover)

I am a kindergarten teacher and LOVE this book. My students enjoy the repetition of the phrases, "Who me, couldn't be!" and "Mmm... Oh!... Now I know..." as on each page skunk thinks he has solved the mystery of the missing cookies. Clever clues on each page help students predict which friend of skunk will appear on the next page. The happy ending, with all the friends sharing the cookies, brings the story to a warm conclusion. The illustrations are colorful and large, with limited text on each page, perfect for younger children.

I use this book early in the school year to help the students learn each others names. I hide a small baggie of cookies in a child's lap. Students then have to guess who has the cookies by saying, "Mary took the cookies from the cookie jar." Mary responds, "Who me, couldn't be!" and guesses another child. When the cookies are discovered, we rehide them. Finally, we get to enjoy our cookie snack. I also adapt the activity for use throughout the year, with each child being an alphabet letter, an alphabet sound, a number or a site word. For example, "14 took the cookie from the cookie jar." "Who me, couldn't be!" "17 took the cookie from the cookie jar." and so on.

My students truly enjoy experiencing this story all year long. I highly recommend it for your students or your child.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Instant Hit!, November 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? (Hardcover)

This book was an instant hit in our house. My daughter enjoys having it read to her as well as participating in the rhymes herself. We also like going through each page to solve the mystery behind who's on the next page. Beautifully illustrated and lots of fun for both parent and child.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic mystery wonderfully illustrated!, September 11, 2000

By 

James D. Wright "kwiltinguy" (Middlebury, Vermont USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? (Hardcover)

Almost every child has played this classic refrain and now yourchild can enjoy this new adaptation and the wonderfully colorful illustrations by Wolff! Skunk has a mystery to solve ... someone has taken the cookies from the cookie jar, but who could it be? We follow skunk on the trail as he asks all his animal friends.... Wolff's detailed, colorful and whimsical watercolor illustrations are a delight to behold. My first grade daughter picked up this book as soon as I got it and spent the rest of the afternoon reading and re-reading the story and looking with joy at the illustrations. This is a book which should be on everyone's bookshelf and one that all children will enjoy. END