Joe and Sparky, Party Animals!

by Jamie Michalak, Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrator)

Overview

The endearingly mismatched duo has their hands full when a party for a friend goes comically awry.

One day Joe, an exuberant giraffe, hears a commotion coming from another part of the famous cageless zoo he calls home. Joined by his small, green, slightly more serious turtle friend, Sparky, Joe discovers the source of the hullabaloo: a group of children — or noisy short people, as Joe and Sparky call them — having a party. Inspired, Joe decides to throw a party for his pet worm, Wiggy. There’s just one problem: Sparky is not entirely sure if Wiggy even exists! What will happen when every animal in the zoo shows up to Wiggy’s party with presents and cake? Worm or no worm, this silly, satisfying tale is sure to leave new readers smiling.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536203271
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Series:	Candlewick Sparks Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	467,118
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 5.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jamie Michalak is the author of the acclaimed Joe and Sparky series. She lives in Barrington, Rhode Island.

Frank Remkiewicz has illustrated many books for children, including the Joe and Sparky series. He lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Editorial Reviews

Share this gentle story of fantasy, patience, and tolerance with new readers learning how to be true friends.
—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2017-06-05
Four chapters using easy sight words make this misadventure at the "famous cageless zoo" created by Michalak and Remkiewicz a good choice for beginning readers who are ready to tackle more complex text. Joe the giraffe wants to throw a birthday party—for his pet worm, Wiggy. Bighearted Joe is also clumsy, self-centered, and possibly delusional. Sparky, his more-sensible turtle buddy, doesn't believe Wiggy is real. Sparky asks repeatedly when he will meet Wiggy and suggests that the party is really for Joe, not Wiggy. Generously leaded text broken up with color illustrations on each spread lighten the rather dense text. The pictures add detail and contribute to the slapstick humor (not one but two smashed birthday cakes and animals unsuccessfully dancing in a conga line). The word "underpants" (part of Joe's intended gift for Wiggy) always guarantees a laugh. Kids like being in on a joke, but unfortunately most of the more subtle humor will go right over their heads. Gen-alpha readers will not understand references to the Beatles or trips to Vegas, though they may recognize Sparky's somewhat parental asides. No matter—the adults who get to listen to them read the book aloud will be entertained. Share this gentle story of fantasy, patience, and tolerance with new readers learning how to be true friends. (Early reader. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews