The Giant Jumperee
by Julia Donaldson
illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017. 32 pages.
This extra large picture book with warm and friendly pictures would be perfect for a Toddler Storytime. There aren’t too many words on a page, and the situation is a little tiny bit scary – with a happy payoff.
The beginning page shows Rabbit standing on his two hind legs and looking at his burrow with surprise.
Rabbit was hopping home one day when he heard a loud voice coming from inside his burrow.
“I’m the GIANT JUMPEREE and I’m scary as can be!”
Rabbit goes to Cat for help, who promises to slink inside and pounce on the Giant Jumperee.
But the Giant Jumperee shouts, “I’m the GIANT JUMPEREE and I’ll squash you like a flea!”
Next Bear and then Elephant are likewise frightened away by a loud voice making scary threats.
But Mama Frog is undaunted, even though all the animals warn her what the Giant Jumperee told them. Savvy readers will not be surprised that the Giant Jumperee is not so giant when he comes out.
The animals aren’t angry to be fooled. They’re all pictured laughing heartily. And Mama Frog tells the Giant Jumperee that now he’s coming home for tea.
And it looks like Rabbit, Cat, Bear, and Elephant will join them.
This is a happy book with just that little taste of a small critter trying for power. I wouldn’t be surprised if little ones would want to try acting this out themselves.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Picture_Books/giant_jumperee.html
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Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.
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