Premium Members Get 10% Off and Earn Rewards Find Out More

Backpack Stories

Add to Wishlist

Backpack Stories

Hardcover

$16.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

Hardcover
$16.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

SHIP THIS ITEM

Temporarily Out of Stock Online
PICK UP IN STORE
Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Available within 2 business hours

Want it Today?
Check Store Availability

Related collections and offers

Want it Today?
Check Store Availability

Overview

You don't think much about your backpack. It's just kind of dirty and crammed with stuff. But wait - did you know the backpack has a history? That it could be a superhero's secret weapon? Or an exploding science experiment? Or even a living creature of immense proportions? Kevin O'Malley has created four surprising comic-book style stories to entertain and amaze backpack wearers everywhere.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807505045
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	GN550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kevin O'Malley was in the fourth grade when he decided to illustrate books for children. He has a wild sense of humor and it comes through loud and clear in his books. In 1992, he made his children's book debut with Froggy Went A-Courting, based on a well known folk ballad. Kevin has illustrated books written by other writers, such as Cinder Edna and Chanukah in Chelm and has worked in animating multimedia displays for clients including the Smithsonian Institution. His latest books range from nonfiction to outrageous humor. Kevin lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his artist wife and two sons. www.booksbyomalley.com

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

Ordinary backpacks get humorous treatment in four brief stories, told in sequential art, that make good use of puns and tropes from comic books, TV and movies. The first story, “History Man,” is a tongue-in-cheek documentary about the “history” of backpacks, full of goofy humor (“Historians believe the first backpack was created by a caveman named Roscoe.... Unfortunately his friends thought he was being attacked by a beaver, and they pounded him with sticks”). “Volcano, or Candy is Dandy,” about a science fair experiment, ends with an array of comic book–style sound effects (“gurgle gurgle! bang, bang!”) as Brendan's bag turns out to be an excellent volcano. Girls will especially enjoy the tale of “ordinary Ashley” whose backpack turns her into a superhero. But O'Malley (Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share) saves his best lampoon for “Day of the Living Backpack,” a sly take on kids' overloaded bookbags, starring a boy whose hungry backpack starts devouring everything in sight. O'Malley hints at the possibility of a sequel: “Backpacks aren't the only thing with scary surprises inside. Just look inside your... lunchbox!” Ages 7–9. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 2–4—This title will appeal to students because of its combination of silliness and colorfully graphic comic-book-style illustrations. Comprised of four short stories, each involving a backpack, the collection opens with a spoof, "History Man," on the origins of the backpack with a humorous time line that spans from the age of the caveman to the 21st century. In "Volcano," a science experiment goes awry with nasty results. A young girl transforms from Ordinary Ashley to "Jet: Super Backpack Girl" to combat disaster with the help of her backpack. In the final entry, "Day of the Living Backpack," the satchel appears to devour everything in its path and causes problems for its owner. O'Malley once again proves that he has a keen appreciation for the funny bones of his intended audience. Children will make room in their backpacks for this creative tribute to an object that has become an essential part of their everyday lives.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA

School Library Journal

A tongue-in-cheek history of backpacks from prehistory to the 21st century kicks off O'Malley's comics-inspired collection of four short tales. Apparently backpacks were first invented by Roscoe the caveman, who slung a fur pouch on his back with disastrous results: His friends beat him, thinking he was being attacked by a beaver. In "Volcano," Brendan can't get his volcano to erupt for the science fair, but the right mix of mess in his backpack (secret ingredient: one hairy piece of candy) makes it explode and earns him an A. Then Ashley is on her way to another boring day at school when three disasters strike. She turns into Jet Super Backpack Girl and saves the day. Then in "Day of the Living Backpack," Captain Cable, a boy watching television before school, keeps putting things in his backpack, which just makes it hungrier. When it tries to eat his TV set, he shows it who's boss. The panel illustrations for each story vary accordingly and aptly in style, size and medium. A pleasing diversion for anyone who's ever lugged a zillion-pound backpack. (Picture book. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews

"Ordinary backpacks get humorous treatment in four brief stories, told in sequential art, that make good use of puns and tropes from comic books, TV and movies." Publishers Weekly
"A tongue-in-cheek history of backpacks from prehistory to the 21st century kicks off O'Malley's comics-inspired collection of four short tales....A pleasing diversion for anyone who's ever lugged a zillion-pound backpack." Kirkus Reviews
"[T]he simple pleasure of the snarky take on an all-too-familiar burden." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
IRA-CBC Children's Choices 2010

From the Publisher

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews