Skippyjon+Jones

Schachner, J. (2003). //Skippyjon Jones.// New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat who wants to be anything but a Siamese cat. He spends a lot of time in his bedroom because his mother wants him to start acting more like a cat. When he has to stay in his room, Skippyjon creates his own world inside of his closet and goes on a wild and crazy adventure.
 * Summary:**


 * Grade Level:** PS-2
 * Reading Level:** 3.3

The reading strategy, personal connection, can be taught with this book. Use the book to teach children how they can connect to stories; have they ever been sent to their rooms and told to think about something like Skippyjon Jones? Have they ever pretended to be someone else? The story element "problem" can be introduced when reading this book aloud. The problem in this book is straightforward and easy to identify: the Los Chimichangos need someone to save the day because the bee wants to eat them for their beans. **School Library Journal 2003 Review: (from Mackin)** This is a wildly wonderful book about a hyperactive kitten, Skippyjon Jones, whose head and ears are too big for his body, and whose imagination is too intense for his mama. According to her, he needs to do some serious thinking about what it means to be a Siamese cat instead of a bird (Skippyjon always wakes up and eats worms with his feathered friends). She sends him to his room, where he imagines he is a Chihuahua ("My name is Skippito Friskito./I fear not a single bandito"). Chock-full of rhyming chants and Spanish expressions, the feline's adventure as a doggy Zorro ends in chaos. His frazzled mother gives him a hug anyway and says, "Say good night, Skippyjon Jones." "Buenas noches, mis amigos," says the kitten, as he bounces on his bed all ready for another adventure. The buoyant and colorful cartoon illustrations match the exuberant text perfectly. Spanish-speaking children will be especially delighted by the words and humor; others may be a little bewildered by all of the foreign phrases and will need some explanation, but the story definitely has the potential of a fun read-aloud. A good multicultural offering.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
 * Curriculum Connections:**