Author: Meg Rosoff
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Henry Holt, 2008
Ages: 4-8blogspot.com: friendship, monsters, snails
Opening: “I’m nervous,” said Jumpy Jack to his best friend, Googily. “There could be a monster nearby and I’m scared of monsters.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” said Googily.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Jumpy Jack the snail is terrified that there are monsters around every corner despite the reassurances of his best friend, Googily.
I like this book because: I really have a soft spot for books that let the reader in on what is oblivious to (at least one of) the characters. Here we have Jumpy Jack describing his fear of monsters, and describing his friend Googily to a teeThe beautifully detailed artwork slimes it’s snaily way right into the heart – check out the tea cozy below!
Resources/activities: Check out the prepared literature unit activities from edHelp.com – HERE;Read Kay Yeh’s article: Why Picture Books Are Important – HERE
Photo courtesy of Kat Yeh8
For more Perfect Picture Book picks, go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s bolg at susannahill.blogspot.com
julie rowan-zoch 
Love Sophie Blackall’s work. Have’t seen this one yet but I can see I’ll definitely have to check it out. Great tea cozy!
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Would love to take a cuppa with these two!
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Love the illustrations! Great review, Julie!
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Thanks, Robin.
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Cute story, I can so be the snail! Love your illustration. I’m going to have to celebrate the big 100 two weeks late doh!
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No matter – more cake, right?
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Absolutely!
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There are some really great illustrations in this book. Love the themes and a lot of kids will relate.
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🙂
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This story and it’s illustration sound/look adorable! Glad to be aware of it. Thanks, Julie 🙂
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🙂
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Great pick! Adore this one.
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Well, I was wrong. I thought Googily would be the snail with the tentacle eyes! Will have to give this one a read for sure Julie!
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That’s what I thought originally!
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Great minds….
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(pssst…then I have a great mind, too!) 😉 I thought the same thing! lol
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Love these illustrations!!! Must have a monster tea party, too.
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Sounds like a plan!
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The snail…oh, the snail! 😀
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Uh huh!
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So perfectly silly! Thanks. I love Sophie’s wild side.
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Oops. I forgot. Thanks for the 100th graphic. You are so cool! I wish I’d thought of that.
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I threw it in late, after I went over to post mine on Susanna’s list (shh, don’t tell her that though!)
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🙂
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That Ms Blackall is a wonder!!! What a cute, funny book. I myself don’t like snails. They taste yucky. I DO like your reading rabbit! Thanks for sharing!
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Rarely see a snail in this climate, but I know they’re out there!
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Absolutely FABULOUS illustrations. Looks WAY too fun. Another to add to my “to-read” list! Thanks. 🙂
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Glad you like them, Joanne!
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This looks adorable, and even though it’s six years old I have not seen it! (I agree that I was confused at first because I thought Googily was the snail 🙂 )
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Funny, I wonder if the author gave them those names to confuse!
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Well, I’m joining the rest of you, I too thought Googily was the snail. Now I’m trying to figure out what Jumping Jack actually is… mmm is he a grub?
I so love, love your little illustration for Susanna, that is just gorgeous. psst: actually its given me an idea for a story..hehe!
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That ‘s great! Good luck with it, Diane. And Jack is a monster.
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I love snails – and monsters! what a wonderful combination…. jotting it down on my “must read” list right now.
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Enjoy, Sue!
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Then, Sue, if you haven’t already, you MUST read The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman 🙂
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This sounds hilarious! Great choice! 😀
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Well, Julie, I just finished reading this book (had it since right after you posted this!) and it’s adorable 🙂 I love how, with each page turn, he’s describing his friend! Very cute ending, too 🙂
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Fun to let the reader in on the joke!
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