Platypus (Platypus) [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "What a great day for collecting," said Platypus..." (more)
Key Phrases: curly shell

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Determined to find the perfect item to complete his special collection (which includes, among other things, an old blue sneaker, a Popsicle stick, a bottle cap, and an acorn), little Platypus sets off to the beach. "He didn't know quite what he was looking for, but he was sure he'd know it when he saw it." After hemming and hawing over various treasures--seaweed, a big rock, a deflated beach ball--Platypus finds exactly the right thing: a lovely curly seashell. Unfortunately, what our funny little hero doesn't know (and what sharp-eyed readers might figure out sooner than he) is that the shell is currently occupied.

Young readers in a collecting phase of their own will enjoy watching Platypus's bewilderment as his prize item keeps sneaking out at night and creeping back to the beach. Chris Riddell's cute watercolors and cheerful story will please platypuses and humans alike. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Riddell's (illus. of Something Else) spunky hero has a bill the size of a clown's shoe and a comic case of the collecting bug. In one of the book's many crisp and austerely composed watercolors, Platypus proudly displays the contents of his big green collecting box: a blue sneaker, an acorn, marbles, a bottle cap, etc. a collection to be envied in any child's estimation. Yet something is missing. "He didn't know quite what he was looking for," writes Riddell as he sends Platypus down to the beach on a quest, "but he was sure he'd know it when he saw it." A beautiful shell seems to be just the ticket, except that it won't stay put: two tiny eyes and a single claw poke out of the green box as Platypus sleeps, and the next morning the shell is gone. The same thing happens when Platypus reclaims the shell. The reason, Platypus discovers, is that the shell already belongs to someone a hermit crab. Youngsters in the throes of a hoarding phase will sympathize with the hero (who sleeps with a tiny stuffed toy platypus), while Riddell's well-paced plotting makes the mystery and the resolution equally enticing. Happily, a second Platypus title is scheduled for next season. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• ISBN-10: 0152164936
• ASIN: B000C4SFJ2
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,291,495 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a delightful book!, February 2, 2006

By	Turn a New Leaf "Turn a New Leaf" (San Mateo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

My children ages 4 & 2 love this book. They find Platypus' reactions and innocence delightful and laugh everytime we read the book (currently 3-4 times a day). My two year old loves this book so much that he "reads" it to himself by retelling the story from looking at the pictures. Another great thing about the book is that it's taught my children about hermit crabs and not to carelessly "collect" objects from nature. I especially love the delightful and child-like illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars eh platypus, November 28, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Platypus (Hardcover)

actually im 17 and i love this book, its fantastic. i just love to walk around and annoy people by saying "eh platypus" boy, it sure annoys a lot of people! eh good enough platypus

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent illustrations and FUN story, March 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Platypus (Hardcover)

Don't listen to a negative review of this book! My two kids (4 and 2) love the story and get a huge kick out of watching the hermit crab peeking out of the collecting box, and pulling one over on Platypus. We also get lots of giggles when the crab bites Platypus's foot. This is definitely a book I recommend and don't mind reading over and over. Highly recommended.