itstoocliche's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
joinreallife's review
4.0
Love that it's an intro chapter book, love the relationship between the siblings, love their neighborhood friends (it IS the best when you get the playground all to yourself), and special snaps for the, "I'm the mom, I can do what I want" line.
shayemiller's review
4.0
Cute little easy reader in my college library and had to bring it home — it feels chapter-ish with four distinct sections to the story, but it isn’t too wordy for a beginning reader. The text was super cute as we get to know Charlie and Mouse through humor. The illustrations, rendered by hand in graphite and with Photoshop, really complete the book. Great for predictions, too!
For this and more #kidlit, #mglit, and #yalit book reviews, please visit my blog: The Miller Memo.
For this and more #kidlit, #mglit, and #yalit book reviews, please visit my blog: The Miller Memo.
tashrow's review
5.0
Based on Snyder’s own two sons, this early chapter book is a real delight. It perfectly captures the relationship of siblings who enjoy spending time together. The four stories in the book are alluringly short and yet immensely satisfying. The book begins with Charlie waking up to a lump next to him, a lump that isn’t ready to get up yet. The second story has the two boys deciding that it’s the day of a neighborhood party and gathering their parents and friends. In the third story, the brothers try to sell rocks for money and find that people would rather pay them to take rocks away. The final story brings the book full circle with the brothers getting ready for bed and the sleepy lump reappearing.
Snyder writes with a refreshing frankness about the children, depicting them playing without fighting and enjoying their time together. Still, these are real children who have silly ideas, strong personalities and a zany sense of humor. The two boys are wonderfully distinct from one another despite the shortness of the chapters.
Hughes is one of my favorite illustrators of children, showing them in all of their playful wildness. These two brothers are the same, their messy hair, interesting wardrobe choices, and outdoor play adding to the feel that these are real children. The illustrations also give a feeling of the neighborhood and community that the children are growing up in, a friendly feel with small town aspects.
We don’t see nearly enough stories about children who love spending time with their siblings. This book celebrates that as well as the silliness of childhood. Children will look forward to the next adventures of these brothers. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
Snyder writes with a refreshing frankness about the children, depicting them playing without fighting and enjoying their time together. Still, these are real children who have silly ideas, strong personalities and a zany sense of humor. The two boys are wonderfully distinct from one another despite the shortness of the chapters.
Hughes is one of my favorite illustrators of children, showing them in all of their playful wildness. These two brothers are the same, their messy hair, interesting wardrobe choices, and outdoor play adding to the feel that these are real children. The illustrations also give a feeling of the neighborhood and community that the children are growing up in, a friendly feel with small town aspects.
We don’t see nearly enough stories about children who love spending time with their siblings. This book celebrates that as well as the silliness of childhood. Children will look forward to the next adventures of these brothers. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
mattobin's review
5.0
I loved this short little reading book aimed at those very early readers who are just taking flight. Emily Hughes' illustrations of these two siblings bring each page to light alongside Snyder's stories which smack so much of Sendak's 'The Sign on Rosie's Door'. Well spaced writing and a simple yet warming voacbulary (and a funny series of short stories to boot) make this a welcome shared and individual read for the young reader. My only sniffle would be an editing one in which American language was retained yet English counterparts would have been easy to amend (dollars, popsicle). It wasn't problematic and opened up a conversation but pounds and ice-lolly might have eased the context. Whatever the case, if Snyder did more of these, then they would be perfect for those children who want a taste of reading very short chapters.
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