Skippyjon Jones: Class Action

Name: Skippyjon Jones: Class Action
Item: Skippyjon Jones: Class Action
Rating: 4
Author: Regan McMahon

Book review by

Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media

Skippyjon Jones: Class Action Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

(i)

The Chihuahua-wannabe kitty-boy goes to a school for dogs.

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Kids say

age 4+

Based on 1 review

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

Gives young kids an impression of the grade school setting. Also teaches some Spanish and French words.

Positive Messages

Skippyjon shows how much fun you can have with your imagination and inventive wordplay. He actually does well in school, showing the teachers he knows how to count and draw, which the poochitos can't do. He also offers a very positive view of reading. "At the bell, the amigos followed their noses into the library," Schachner writes. "Not even a bowl of frijoles smelled as delicious as the scent of books waiting to be read." There is a positive message about learning a foreign language, too, when Skippyjon checks out French class and learns a few French words. But as Skippyjon admits in obedience class, "I'm not good at following rules."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Skippyjon Jones is imaginative, believes in himself -- even his delusion that he is a Chihuahua rather than a Siamese cat with big Chihuahua-like ears -- knows how to create his own fun and is loyal to his imaginary Chihuahua friends, Los Chimichangos, and generously shares his food with them.

Violence & Scariness

Mild dog and cat mayhem and a whirling teacup that cuts "a mean path of destruction past the principal's office" into the lunchroom and breaks.

Language

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is the sixth book in the bestselling Skippyjon Jones series and includes a CD of the author reading the story. With the exciting adventure and the bilingual wordplay, it's especially fun to read aloud.

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User Reviews

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Teen, 13 years old Written byPeaceLoveCats November 30, 2016

age 4+

Wonderful book!

This book is very cute! It is a great book about a Siamese cat named Skippyjohn Jones, who wants to be a chihuahua. He has these chihuahua friends named the Los... Continue reading

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What's the story?

The Siamese cat who thinks he's a Chihuahua is dying to go to school, and when his mother tells him school is for dogs, that only entices him further. He dives into his magic closet and comes out the other side to catch the schoolbus with the other poochitos. He has lots of fun going from class to class, punctuating his action-packed adventure with his usual funny mix of English, Spanish, and Spanglish.

Is it any good?

It's hard not to be swept up in the excitement as the irrepressible Skippyjon lets his imagination -- and his Spanish vocabulary -- run wild. Kids will love seeing him bring his enegry and positive spirit to the familiar school setting, charming teachers and four-legged students alike. Illustrated in acrylic and pen-and-ink on watercolor paper, the book captures the momentum of running dogs and the expressive moods of the adorable, irresistible kitty-boy.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how it is that Skippyjon can go into his closet and then magically board a schoolbus full of dogs, driven by a penguin.
Why does Skippyjon think he's a Chihuahua? Have you ever imagined you were something or someone other than who you are?
Skippyjon breaks one sister's teacup and eats his other one's banana. Can you see how the things he did in real life became part of his imaginary play? Should the story have included his saying "I'm sorry" to his sisters? Does Skippyjopn get away with too much because he's so cute?