Review

32 Pages
Hard Cover
8 1/2 ” X 11”
Ages: 4 - 8 years
ISBN 0-9744307-2-2
Spring 2005

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Jake is asked to create a picture of his family to share in school.  This causes Jake great grief because to him his family is totally strange.  Everyone, his mom, dad, step-dad, brother, sister, even his Uncle Brad and Aunt Ruby, has quirks.  For instance, his step-dad wears polka dotted socks, his real dad likes to bungee jump and scuba dive and his little sister eats dirt.  Jake’s afraid that the other kids will think he’s weird but his mother assures him, “All families are different.  That’s what makes them special.”  The next day, when classmate Larry explains that his mom does karate and his dad is an opera singer, Jake’s numerous hang-ups about atypical behaviors begin to unravel.  It helps that when he shares, no one laughs.  Finally, it’s revealed that another child’s dad also wears polka dotted socks.  By ending on this note, it is the security of commonality that is celebrated.  The pen and ink and watercolor illustrations focus on characters in a cartoon style bordering on caricature. Jake’s anxiety and embarrassment is evident in his facial contortions, expressive body gestures, and visible sweat.  Many lower elementary aged children will be able to identify with Jake’s dilemma. 

Review by Martha Topol for: School Library Journal; ForeWord: Monthly News & Reviews for the Independent Publishing & Bookselling Industry; and Independent Publisher.

Bright colored sheets just inside the sturdy book cover certainly set the mood for this excellent book geared for children between the ages of 4 and 8.

The main character is a young boy who is desperately fretting over the class reaction to his strange family. He dreads the day the children in his classroom are due to present their portrayals of their families. Much to his delight, he realizes his family is not so strange after all. Parents and teachers will certainly find the yoga-loving dad with orange polka-dotted socks is sure to get the giggles rolling. The impressive illustrations hold attention to the page.

As youth, we are often fascinated by other family’s doors and what lays beyond them. When we discover that all the quirks and differences reside in everyone’s family, it makes it easier to accept our families and our place in them. This is a valuable life skill that would certainly help to ground little people at this age.

Educators and caretakers may find this book useful in social and family studies. Children are encouraged to personalize the book on the first page and create a list of their family and their personality traits on the last page – thus making this book more interactive.

Review by Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer, Ezine@rticles

When his teacher asks her students to draw a picture of their family to share at group time the next day, young Jake is worried about what his friends will think. After all, his family is weird. What will everyone say about his father who sings in the shower and “plays” yoga in the front yard all by himself? What will they think about his mother who likes to dress up like a ghost every night, complete with white goop on her face and a flowing gown? And what about his sister who likes to eat dirt and feed mud pies to her dolls?

And then there is Jake’s real dad, who does bungee jumping, and his half brother, who looks like a complete person to Jake, and his aunt who rides a motorcycle and wears leather clothes. Yes, his family is different all right and he’s not sure that he wants to share that with his class.

When it comes time to show their pictures Jake tries to hide in the crowd. He listens to his friends as they tell about their families and karate kicking moms and scary book author step dads. Holding up his picture Jake explains the normal things in his family…his adventurous father, his hard working step dad, and his sister Stella who likes to play in the garden. Everything goes smoothly until one boy asks if Jake’s father is wearing polka dotted socks.

This story is a wonderful introduction to family diversity and being proud of our own loved ones. Children will relate to sharing things with their friends and having weird families, because after all, we all have weird families. The illustrations are entertaining and full of wonderful real life details (such as big kisses from aunts and sweating when the teacher calls upon us.). Young readers will enjoy this book alone or when being read to, in which case the adult reader will enjoy it just as much.

Review by Heather Froeschl - Bookideas.com

Do you think your family is just a little bit strange? Maybe more strange than other families? Guess again.

Jake thinks his family is weird because he has two dads, one who does yoga in polka-dotted socks on the front lawn and the other who does wild things like bungee jumping, his sister feeds her dolls dirt, his Uncle Brad thinks he's a pirate, his Aunt Ruby rides a motorcycle, and his brother, Chase, brings a blankey to bed and he's eight years old!

At group time in school, Jake listens to the other kids talk about their families and looks at their pictures. His entire class seems to have the same situation: weird families. But will Jake's family top them all?

A wonderful book with a great message. Jake learns that even though his family likes to do different things and even dress a certain way, that's what makes each person unique. What fun is it if everyone is the same? Join Jake and his "improper" family.

Review by LISA - Book Review Cafe

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