The Mud Flat Olympics (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Neither as affecting as Stevenson's Grandaddy's Place or Grandaddy & Janetta nor as memorable as his warm reminiscences of childhood (Don't You Know There's a War On?) nor as laugh-aloud funny as his whimsical The Flying Acorns, this good-natured chapter book is still an excellent choice for beginning readers. The annual Olympic games are being held on the mud flat, and the contestants are amiable but determined to win. The moles Kevin and Kimberly both set their sights on the Deepest Hole Contest (after burrowing underground, he reports that he encountered hot lava; she bests him with her tale of reaching China). The Smelliest Skunk Contest, the All-Snail High Hurdles and the River-cross Freestyle follow-all with unexpected results. Stevenson's animal athletes are a likable lot; even a wily crocodile who tries to win the swimming race by biting a rival makes amends in the end. The humor is subtle, delivered largely through understated dialogue and brief, pert sentences, and, of course, through Stevenson's characteristically droll watercolor-and-black-pen illustrations. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A group of animal friends is holding its own Olympic games in this beginning chapter book. Episodes describe the Deepest Hole Contest (for moles), the All-Snail High Hurdles, the smelliest skunk contest, and the River-cross Freestyle. The delightfully funny events, which the creatures win with their wits rather than with their brawn, will please many youngsters. Stevenson's droll critter drawings, done in watercolor and pen and ink, accent and amplify the text. A book that's sure to be a hit with newly independent readers.
Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688129234
• ISBN-13: 978-0688129231
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,541,626 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cheerful, witty book for kids and parents, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

We love this book. The drawings are perfect--they're loopy, full of character, and with just the right amount of detail and color, not overworked like so many children's-book illustrations. We love the story, the dialogue, and the names--regular human names for these creatures, who act just like your neighbors and friends. Who would have thought that a snail has a personality? We like all the chapters, but the one we keep acting out is the Smelliest Skunk Contest. Franklin is so cute and Mr. Tokay still has what it takes. We kept checking Mud Flat Olympics out of the library until I (mom) decided it was about time to have our own copy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lots of fun, February 18, 2000

By A Customer

James Stevenson is not your typical kid's book writer but that is why I like him. He's sweet without being sappy and there's a storyline with just enough tension for little kids. These are great, loose drawings and characters you can love. Read his other books, too, like The Worst books and the Grandpa books, and Monty.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, funny book, November 8, 2008

By	Yoga Mom (West Hartford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

My children and I have recently discovered James Stevenson's books, and this one is our favorite by far! The humor is offbeat, which makes it fun to read for both kids and adults. The illustrations are fun. Even though the drawings are simple, the expressions on the faces of the animals convey so much. The illustrations add to the humor of the book.