Review - Classic Munsch Moods

Classic Munsch Moods (Classic Munsch Concept Series)
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 2019
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 34
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

All the feels, Classic Munsch-style

Your favorite Classic Munsch characters are back, here to help young Munsch fans understand and articulate their feelings. Elizabeth and other familiar friends are joined by new faces to demonstrate the wonderful range of emotions we can experience in a day. With three new illustrations by Michael Martchenko, Classic Munsch Moods is the latest in the Classic Munsch board book series designed to help toddlers grasp important primary concepts in fun Munsch style.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I read another book from this series, Classic Munsch 123, earlier this year. This book uses the same premise (taking illustrations from classic Munsch/Martchenko favourites), but this time, instead of numbers, it deals with feelings.

Whether it's Elizabeth being "brave" as she stands up to the dragon, Mortimer's dad feeling "grumpy" as he tries to block out his son's exuberant noise, or Angela feeling "curious" as she steps into the airplane, each concept is clearly illustrated. The facial expressions on the characters make their feelings clear, which is helpful for kids who might be having trouble with recognizing some of these moods.

It's a simple concept and a simple book, but the pictures are fun to look at. Munsch/Martchenko fans will love trying to pick out which illustration is from which book, while those new to the author/illustrator duo's work can just enjoy the appealing artwork. This is definitely another winner in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.33 out of 5

Review - The Fire Station

The Fire Station
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1982
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

This story starts out with a familiar premise: Michael and Sheila visit a fire station. But then the Munsch flair for imaginative insight and humor take over. While the two kids are exploring a fire truck, an alarm goes off—and away go Michael and Sheila to the rescue!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's funny how some of these books live up to my memory of them... and how some of them don't. Unfortunately, this book falls into the latter category. I remember really liking this when I was a kid, and thinking it was hilarious. But as an adult, I find it unrealistic, odd, a bit dated, and rather short.

Michael and Sheila are walking past a fire station. Sheila basically drags her friend inside (after they ask permission, of course) and they look at all the fire trucks. When an alarm goes off, Sheila pulls Michael into the back seat of the fire truck they're in at the time, and they end up going to the fire. There, they're exposed to "yucky-colored smoke", which leaves them looking like they've just come from a Holi celebration. When each of them return home, their parents don't recognize them because they're so dirty. Eventually, though, they both end up being bathed. And the next time they're walking down the street, they pass a police station...

I kind of like the fact that it's Sheila who's portrayed as the adventurous one (while Michael wants to consult his mother and his father before doing anything). What I don't really like is how sexist and stereotyped the careers of firefighting and policing are. Firefighters are referred to as firemen, and all the cops are male, too. I realize this book is from the 1980s, but it would be nice if the book could be updated to reflect today's reality.

Unfortunately, this isn't as good as I remembered. Oh, well. There are plenty of other Munsch/Martchenko titles that have stood the test of time.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.83 out of 5

Review - The Boy in the Drawer

The Boy in the Drawer
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1982
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Shelley finds a small boy in her drawer who causes a lot of trouble.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Um... yeah. This is definitely one of the weaker Munsch/Martchenko titles. I don't get it at all! It reads more like a disjointed dream than any sort of coherent story.

Shelley's cleaning up her socks when she finds a boy in a drawer. She tries to tell her mother, but her mother doesn't seem to believe her. Then she finds the boy in her bed watering his tomato plant. Again, she tells her mother, to no avail. After that, she tries to read a book, but she finds the boy behind the curtain painting the window black. She tells him to go away, which makes him grow a little bit. Then she paints his ear black, which makes him grow a little more. She runs off to find her parents, but can't find them... until she reaches the kitchen, which is flooded. They don't seem to notice. Now the boy is taking a bath in the breadbox. It's at this point that Shelley figures out that negative attention makes the boy grow and positive attention makes the boy shrink. So they shrink the kid away to nothing and Shelley cleans up the mess.

Is this supposed to be a metaphor? Or am I just searching for meaning in a really odd, really random little story? The illustrations are okay, I guess (and I love the fact that Shelley was reading The Paper Bag Princess). But, overall, this didn't really work for me.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Angela's Airplane

Angela's Airplane
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1988
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

While looking for her lost father at the airport, Angela ends up in the cockpit of a plane. She decides to push just one button, and then another ... and another ...

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is definitely not a favourite. I don't remember reading this one before, and reading it in a post-9/11 world (and especially at a time when certain Boeing jets are falling out of the sky), I felt rather uncomfortable.

Here we have the story of five-year-old Angela who goes to the airport with her father. She promptly loses him. In the process of seeking him out, she wanders onto an airplane. Of course, being five years old, she loves to push buttons. So she pushes one. And then another. And then another. Soon she's up in the air, and the air traffic controllers have to talk her down. This leads to the most unrealistic plane crash ever, with Angela sitting in the midst of the broken plane without a scratch on her. Her father makes her promise to never fly another airplane. Then she goes and breaks that promise by growing up to become a pilot.

I'm just not sure what the point of this one is supposed to be. It's not like the events depicted could ever happen, so the unrealistic way Angela gets the plane in the air doesn't really bother me. The crash does. It's either going to scare kids (because the book makes it look like landing is a very precarious procedure) or give them an unrealistic idea of what'll happen if they're ever in a crash. If the plane is in tiny pieces all around you, it's highly unlikely you're going to walk away without a scratch. (Not that I wanted to see the kid carted off in an ambulance, either. I just don't think this part of the story works, and I don't know if there's a way that it could be made to work.)

The repetition and amusing illustrations that we see in other Munsch/Martchenko collaborations are there, but I just wasn't feeling this one. Oh, well. Maybe the next book I read from this team will be better.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - Mortimer

Mortimer
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1983
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

It's Mortimer's bedtime, but he would much rather sing his rowdy song. Mom, Dad and even the police can't get him to quiet down, until they become so distracted by each other that Mortimer drifts off to sleep.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Way back when, we had a copy of this book. We also had a cassette tape of the author reading it. To this day, whenever I read Mortimer, I hear Robert Munsch singing the annoying little kid's refrain:

Clang, clang, rattle-bing-bang
Gonna make my noise all day.
Clang, clang, rattle-bing-bang
Gonna make my noise all day.

I hadn't read this one in ages, so there were some things I didn't remember. It's funny... Reading it as an adult, I saw Mortimer as much more manipulative than I did when I was a kid. The last part, especially, when he falls asleep waiting for someone to come up and yell at him makes it clear that he's doing all this for attention. (When I was little, though, he was basically just a bratty kid who sang a funny song at bedtime.)

This book has a lot of unanswered questions: Does this happen every night? How does Mortimer have his own room if he has 17 brothers and sisters? Why does he have to go to bed before the baby? Do the police expect that call every night and have two officers on hand to go out and try to scare the singing kid? Why doesn't everyone just ignore him for a few hours and see what happens? (After all, that's what eventually works. Why don't they do that in the first place?)

The pictures are cute and funny, and though this book seems short, its repetition and silly story would make it a fun book to read aloud. It's one of the older Munsch/Martchenko titles out there, but it's held up pretty well.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heart a Sound

Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heart a Sound
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1981
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Jonathan's efforts to keep his apartment clean are foiled when a subway unexpectedly stops in and unloads thousands of passengers. Jonathan sets out on a surprising adventure to solve this curious problem.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I remember this book from when I was a kid, all the way back in the 1980s. Unfortunately, though the basic premise is pretty amusing, the story is dated. Very dated.

Jonathan's mother goes out to buy a can of noodles. She tells her son not to make a mess. But no sooner has she left than Jonathan hears a noise coming from the other side of the wall. He listens carefully... and then the wall opens up and a rather homogeneous group of white people pour into the room as if it's a subway station! It makes an incredible mess. Jonathan's mother comes home, sees the mess, tells her son to clean it up, and then goes out to buy another can of noodles (yeah, I know... just go with it). Another train full of passengers drops off its load in the living room, and makes an even bigger mess. Eventually, Jonathan gets annoyed and tells the conductor that his house is not a subway station. The conductor tells him it must be, since the subway stops there. So Jonathan heads to City Hall to try to fix the problem.

The mayor gives Jonathan the same answer as the conductor, and adds that the computer says his house is a subway station. So Jonathan goes in search of the computer. It turns out to be a huge, room-hogging machine full of reel-to-reel tapes that makes a whole bunch of noise. Not that it works, anyway; despite paying $10 million for it, it doesn't work at all. (Shades of the Phoenix pay system right there... Maybe that part of the story isn't so dated after all!)

Of course everything gets sorted out, and there's a cute twist at the end. But I'm not sure if this book holds up as well as some of the other Munsch/Martchenko titles from the 1980s. The ancient computer is going to look completely foreign to kids, and the lack of diversity in the subway riders is kind of confusing (it's not like there were no minorities in major cities in the 1980s). The overall story is amusing, though, and if you can overlook the dated elements of the book and read it as a relic from a not-too-distant past, you might enjoy it.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Andrew's Loose Tooth

Andrew's Loose Tooth
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1998
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Andrew's tooth is killing him, but it just won't fall out. So what do they do? Call the Tooth Fairy, of course!

Andrew bites into an apple and his loose tooth hurts. So his dad tries to take it out with a big pair of pliers, but no luck. So they call the dentist, who tries to pull it out with his car, but no luck. So Andrew's friend Louis calls the Tooth Fairy. She comes on her motorcycle and tries to pull out the tooth, but no luck. So it's up to Louis --he uses pepper to make Andrew sneeze the tooth all the way across town.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I have a feeling this one is based on personal experience.

This is a pretty entertaining book in the classic Munsch tradition. Andrew's loose tooth just won't come out, no matter what anyone does. And he can't have breakfast until it's out... so he's got a bit of a problem. His mother, his father, the dentist (who reminds me of one of my high-school English teachers), and the Tooth Fairy all fail to get that tooth out. But Andrew's best friend, Louis, has an idea that sends that tooth sailing right out of his mouth. (Actually, "sailing" isn't quite the right word. The tooth ended up being more like a bullet, perforating its way through town.)

This would be a great book for kids who are still at the age when they're losing their teeth... and for the parents who have to put up with the whining.

Quotable moment:

Andrew said, "I know what you're going to do! I know what you're going to do! You're going to tie the end of the rope to a door and then you're going to slam the door!"

"NO!" said the dentist. "I'm going to tie it to my car."

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - David's Father

David's Father
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1983
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Julie learns that families come in all shapes—and sizes.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Gosh, this is an oldie. I know I read this as a kid, and I remembered that David's father was a giant, but I didn't recall much more than that. It's actually a really nice story about overcoming fear of people who are different than you.

When David's family moves into the neighbourhood, Julie sees the giant utensils and freaks out. Then she meets David, who looks like a regular boy. She finds out that his father is a giant. Reluctantly, she accepts a dinner invitation (but only after finding out they'll be having cheeseburgers and milkshakes). It turns out that David's father, even though he eats octopus and chocolate-covered bricks for dinner, is actually a pretty nice guy... and his mere presence turns out to be quite handy when the kids encounter some bullies from school.

Julie admits that David has a nice father, and even though she still thinks he's a little scary, she doesn't seem inclined to throw away her newfound friendship. I like the message of this one (and the ending is pretty funny, too).

There's a reason this one is a classic. The themes have held up quite well and are still relevant, more than 35 years after it was first published.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Murmel, Murmel, Murmel

Murmel, Murmel, Murmel
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1982
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Robin discovers a baby in her backyard sandbox (it can only say “Murmel, murmel, murmel ...”) and sets out on a series of adventures while trying to find it a home.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Hmm... Wariness and cynicism have kind of ruined this one for me. It was one of my favourite Munsch books when I was a kid. I didn't even have the English version; I had the French version, in which the baby said, "Gla, gla, gla." (It loses something in translation, I think.) In any case, I loved the story and thought it was pretty funny. Especially the ending. But now, reading it as an adult with an awareness of abduction and child trafficking and pornography, I just can't feel the same enthusiasm for it that I once did.

Five-year-old Robin finds a baby in a hole in her sandbox. The baby can only say, "Murmel, murmel, murmel," so it can't really help Robin in figuring out where it's supposed to be. So she goes around and asks various people--from a cat lady with seventeen cats to a workaholic with seventeen jobs--if they need a baby. Some of these encounters are a little more uncomfortable than others... especially the last two, which are a surly man who wants to know if he can sell the baby and the truck driver who eventually takes it. The truck driver basically buys the baby from Robin with a truck (which is especially ridiculous, but I always liked that part of the story when I was a kid) and I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about the whole thing. What did he "need" the baby for? What's he really hauling around in his fleet of seventeen sixteen trucks? I'm not sure I want to know.

Some of Munsch's books have held up better than others. While Murmel, Murmel, Murmel is cute if you look at it through an innocent lens, it starts to lose some of its charm from a more cautious 21st-century point of view.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - Show and Tell

Show and Tell
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1991
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Ben wreaks havoc at school when he decides to bring his baby sister for show and tell.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm torn about this one. It's pretty funny in some parts, and has the signature repetition that I've come to expect from Munsch's books. Ben decides to take his baby sister to school for show and tell. He takes her in his knapsack, which the baby doesn't like. So the baby cries. This leads to the teacher, the principal, and a doctor to try to stop the baby from crying. They're all terribly inept adults, and Ben nails it when he asks, "What's the matter with this school?"

But I think what's causing the issue for me is the doctor and her giant needles. That part of the story could be funny for some kids, but absolutely terrifying and traumatizing for others. It implies that if you're sick, you need a needle full of something, which 1) isn't necessarily true, and 2) could make children worry unnecessarily and even keep their feelings of sickness to themselves for fear of getting stabbed with a syringe the size of a kindergartner.

I did like the ending (it's very meta), and the illustrations are great, as is usual in these books. Martchenko really did a great job with that last spread.

Overall, I don't know if I'd recommend Show and Tell. I think I'd have to be really sure the reader was okay with needles before even suggesting this one.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Review - Classic Munsch 123

Classic Munsch 123 (Classic Munsch Concept Series)
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 2019
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Counting with Munsch is as easy as 123! Introducing the first-ever Robert Munsch counting book, beautifully styled in an oversized board book format perfect for gifting. Just as Classic Munsch ABC helps toddlers master the alphabet, Classic Munsch 123 uses favorite characters and illustrations from the wonderful world of Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko to provide a delightful introduction to numeracy. Numbers one through twelve are represented as numerals and are spelled out for early reading recognition. At the end, in one of two brand-new illustrations by Michael Martchenko just for this book, a joyful parade introduces the concept of numbers in sequence while providing an opportunity to repeat and reinforce the early numeracy concepts from previous pages. Like its companion ABC, Classic Munsch 123 is a must-have addition to every child's first library.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Counting books are a simple concept. It's usually the illustrations that determine how good they are. In this case, though, Classic Munsch 123 also has the advantage of being wonderfully meta.

If you're a fan of Munsch and Martchenko's picture books, you'll probably recognize quite a few of the characters presented on these pages. It looks like the illustrations were lifted straight out of the source material. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, as that's the whole premise of this book. I enjoyed seeing some of my favourite Munsch/Martchenko characters again. There were a few I didn't recognize, though, which makes me want to scour the library for more titles so I can figure out who they all are. Kids who are already familiar with the storybooks will take delight in picking out familiar faces.

A counting book is a counting book, so I don't know if there's anything I can really say about the writing. I was pleased it went up to 12, though, instead of just 10; that allowed for a few more fun illustrations.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this one, especially to fans of Munsch/Martchenko books. It's got everything an aficionado could want... including a couple of new illustrations as icing on the cake.

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5

Review - Moira's Birthday

Moira's Birthday
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1987
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Moira invites grades 1 to 6 to her party. But her parents don’t know—until...

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Who needs social media for a guest list to get out of control? Moira's parents told her she could only invite six kids. But then all the kids that weren't invited asked her to invite them, too, and before she knows it, she's invited all the kids from grades 1 to 6... aaaaand kindergarten.

The repetition and fun pictures are par for the course with this picture-book duo. I especially liked Moira's solutions to her birthday excess, though; they show some nice problem-solving skills.

Overall, this is another strong Munsch picture book, great for your collection.

Quotable moment:

The father and mother opened the door and saw grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, aaaaand kindergarten. The kids ran in right over the father and mother.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Pigs

Pigs
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1989
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Megan is told to feed the pigs, but not to open the gate. She does of course, and the results are hilarious as the pigs help themselves to coffee and the newspaper at the breakfast table, follow Megan to school, and ride home by way of the school bus.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

It's fun to read some of these Robert Munsch books that were a little after my time (i.e., I was "too old" for picture books when they came out). I can't even recall hearing about Pigs, but it's pretty funny, with the repetition and amusing pictures that are the hallmark of Munsch/Martchenko collaborations.

I like the way Megan goes from tidy to dishevelled as the day wears on (well, she does get trampled by a herd of pigs a few times). I also like how, in one scene, one of the pigs is eating a book that appears to be a copy of Munsch's I Have to Go! How meta.

This would be a great addition to any Munsch collection.

Quotable moment:

Megan looked in the principal's window. There was a pig drinking the principal's coffee. A pig was eating the principal's newspaper. And a pig was peeing on the principal's shoe. The principal yelled, "Megan, get these pigs out of here!"

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - I Have to Go!

I Have to Go!
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1986
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Andrew's mother and father always ask very clearly if Andrew needs to go pee, and his answer is always, "No, no, no, no!" Unfortunately, that answer never seems to last long!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This one was just okay for me. The premise of the exasperating kid who doesn't have to go until he really has to go is probably relatable for many parents. However, I wasn't quite sure what the resolution was supposed to be; it seemed abrupt and didn't make a lot of sense. If a kid is stubborn enough to pee in his own bed, it's going to take more than some inexplicable change of heart to give his parents some relief.

The pictures are cute, as they usually are with Martchenko's work. But the combination of the short length plus the lack of any real explanation for the ending made this one just so-so.

Quotable moment:

So they put on Andrew's snowsuit. It had five zippers, 10 buckles and 17 snaps. It took them half an hour to get the snowsuit on.

Andrew walked out into the back yard, threw one snowball and yelled, "I HAVE TO GO PEE."

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - We Share Everything!

We Share Everything!
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1999
Publisher: Scholastic Canada, Ltd
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

On the first day of school, after their kindergarten teacher scolds them for not sharing, a boy and girl share their clothes and shoes, giving the class a hilarious surprise.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm a fan of Robert Munsch's books, but this one came way after my time. It's actually pretty funny, with the trademark repetition and silliness you'd expect from Munsch, but this one also blows away gender stereotypes as well.

I thought the teacher was pretty funny. She's almost a Disney princess, complete with doves flapping around her head. It isn't until later that we see the other side of her, when her frustration grows as the kids in the class turn her own words back at her.

This is a fairly strong Munsch story. While it's not quite one of my favourites, it's still really good.

Quotable moment:

The teacher came running over and said,
"Now, LOOK!
This is kindergarten.
In kindergarten we share.
We share everything."
"Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay," said Amanda and Jeremiah.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Wait and See

Wait and See
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1993
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

It is Olivia’s birthday, and when she blows out the candles on her cake and makes a wish—she gets exactly what she wanted!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is another "Classic Munsch" that I had yet to read. I don't know if I'd ever even heard of it.

While the story is kind of cute, I also found it a little unnerving. I mean, this kid has the power to make her birthday wishes come true for some reason. It doesn't seem to matter what her parents want, or what's good for other people, or even what's safe; her wishes are granted anyway, nearly drowning the neighbours at one point. I also didn't like the ending; so much for parents calling the shots.

Martchenko's illustrations are really cute (as usual) and it was nice to see a black family in the starring roles. But I'm afraid the story was a bit of a swing and a miss for me. I doubt I'd read this one again.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - Stephanie's Ponytail

Stephanie's Ponytail
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1996
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

None of the kids in her class wear a ponytail, so Stephanie decides she must have one. The loud, unanimous comment from her classmates is: “Ugly, ugly, very ugly.” Steadfast, when all the girls have copied her ponytail, she resolves to try a new style. With true Munsch flair, each of Stephanie’s ponytails is more outrageous than the last, while the cast of copycats grows and grows.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is labelled "Classic Munsch", but as it came out in 1996, it's a little after my time. I hadn't read it before.

There's not much of a message, except maybe to be yourself or you might end up bald. Seriously, though, the story really was in the classic Robert Munsch style, with plenty of repetition, fun characters, and adorable illustrations by longtime collaborator Michael Martchenko.

It's not one of my favourite Munsch books, but it was entertaining enough.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - The Paper Bag Princess

The Paper Bag Princess
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1980
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

In this bestselling modern classic, Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald—who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I don't even know how many times I've read this. It was pretty much a staple in my childhood. We even had a recording at one point of the author reading it (Robert Munsch is a great storyteller; if you ever get a chance to see or hear him read one of his books, take it). This book is probably one of the first feminist books I ever read, and I still love the message.

Even after all these years, Elizabeth kicks dragon ass and Ronald is still a bum (he's actually more of an asshole, but this is a kids' book, so "bum" is what you get). This is one of those books where the princess does the rescuing, and she does it in a very clever way. I wasn't sure when I picked it up if it had stood the test of time. But it's not dated at all; it's still wonderfully funny and empowering.

Highly recommended!

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Review - Thomas' Snowsuit

Thomas' Snowsuit
by Robert Munsch
illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Date: 1985
Publisher: Annick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Willful, young Thomas refuses to wear his new snowsuit, despite the pleas of his mother, his teacher and even his principal. When everyone's best efforts lead only to comedic chaos, they all agree it's best to let Thomas suit himself. This is marvelous mischief from Munsch and Martchenko.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm a fan of Robert Munsch's books, and I have been since I was little.  I giggled through The Paper Bag Princess, sang along with Mortimer, and even had a French edition of Murmel, Murmel, Murmel (which, apparently, does not translate very well).  I can't recall reading Thomas' Snowsuit back then.  If I had, I'm not sure what sort of reaction I would have had... but as an adult reading it in 2014, I'm not that impressed.  In fact, it left me a little uneasy.

The premise of a willful child is fine... but I was a little weirded out by all the struggles which left the teacher and Thomas in their underwear... and then the teacher and the principal in each other's clothes, and Thomas still in his underwear.  There seems to be something slightly inappropriate about it all, and though the illustrations are cute and funny, they're not enough to overcome the idea of these oddly physical struggles with an underwear-clad kindergartener.

Quotable moment:

So the principal picked up Thomas in one hand and he picked up the teacher in the other hand, and he tried to get them back into their clothes. When he was done, the principal was wearing the teacher's dress, the teacher was wearing the principal's suit, and Thomas was still in his underwear.

Recommended to: hard-core Robert Munsch fans... though many of his other books are better

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5