Author/Illustrator: Josh Schneider
Publisher: Clarion Books, 2013
Age Level: 6-9/Easy Reader
Themes: birthdays, gifts, elephants
Opening: It was Dana’s birthday and she could do whatever she liked.
Summary: (From my library catalog) Dana soon learns that receiving a big white elephant for her birthday is not as wonderful as she thought it would be.
Why I like it: I know this is not specifically a picture book, but I could not resist sharing it! I mean, is that first line loaded or what? We know there will be trouble! It’s got made up words, bright fun illustrations, packed with emotions we can all identify with – and a silly straw too!
Resources/Activities: This could help lead into a discussion about getting what we want and how that might affect others; have kids draw pictures of their ideal birthday breakfast; Read his picture book Tales for Very Picky Eaters, then listen to Josh Schneider introduce and share some of the backstory – HERE
julie rowan-zoch 
More proof you are Enzo’s Librarian! We’ll have to check this out. I never know the difference between early reader and higher level picture books. This sounds like a good one for me to study with my little party boy.
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I really liked this one, not expecting such a rich story in an early reader – shows I need to read them more often, of course! I bet you have great children’s librarians too – as them for suggestions. I do!
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You’re right about that opening line — my imagination starts to run wild! Any idea how many pages or the word count?
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I’ve already returned the book, but I’ll check asap!
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48pgs, is what my daughter saw as we rushed through the library last night.
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thanks!
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But I wanna get EVERYTHING I want! *wink* Sounds like you found another winner. What a great opening line too. I’ll add this to our library. Happy weekend pal! {hugs}
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Happy weekend to you too – hope yours is less moist than ours!
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Sounds like a fun one! have a lovely weekend!
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You too, Catherine
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Great opening hook. And, I love the illustration. I think all kids have their moments, so it would make a good book to have on the shelf. Great choice.
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Good humor gets me every time.
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The title is definitely an “eye-catcher”. . .I hope she improved as the book progressed! ;-}
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She is quite a little stinker!
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You’re such a rebel, throwing an easy reader our way! I didn’t even know there was a Theodore Geisel award for easy readers. Always learning!
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Ha, ha! A good ‘un is a good ‘ un
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Haha. Love the opening!
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Packs a punch!
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Yikes! Dana is quite something. I can’t wait to see what happens to her.
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I’d like to see what happens to her in another book.
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A white elephant?!? COOL! I like the cover and opening – they really draw you in!
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An easy-reader with bite!
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Don’t you mean “punch” 😉
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That too!
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🙂
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Well, I don’t like the idea of a mean birthday girl, but it does sound funny. I like made up words and I’d like to find out about that silly straw. So I guess I’ll be checking it out! thanks!
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Good, let me know whatcha think.
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Oh Yeah, that is quite a hook line if ever I saw one…. now we all want to know… did she get her way or what? mmm… Thanks again, Julie!
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Dang, those opening lines do pack a punch! Love the page you share, too.
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This sounds right up my alley! And, I need to branch out and read some early readers. I think I may want to try my hand at writing something besides picture books some day. This may encourage me. It sounds very funny!
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Penny, you’re right, this is a book for you!
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This does look like a great read, Julie! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
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