“Big Plans” by Bob Shea, illus. by Lane Smith (Hyperion, 9781423111009,
$17.99, 48 pages for ages 4 to 8)
From the author of last year’s “New Socks” and the Caldecott-winning
illustrator of “The Stinky Cheese Man” comes this boisterously fun picture
book about a young boy with BIG, BIG IDEAS. With its outsized illustrations,
bombastic text, and a silly-making pace, this high-energy book will appeal
to readers of John Scieszka and Mo Willems, and it’s the perfect way to
introduce a new project and to encourage youngsters to make BIG PLANS of
their own.
“I GOT BIG PLANS! BIG PLANS, I SAY!”
From his seat in the corner of the classroom, a fledgling mastermind plots
his rise to power as a muckety-muck big-shot, a sports hero, a mayor, a
helicopter pilot, an astronaut, and more. (He won’t settle for being
assistant president; he insists on being *president* president.) Aided by
his loyal sidekicks, an enthusiastic mynah bird and a stinky lucky skunk, he
barks orders, gets things rolling, and makes very important phone calls.
“PENNSYLVANIA! Build a rocket ship!”
“IDAHO! Makes some space suits using the latest potato technology!
“MISSOURI! Cheer up! You’re bringing me down!” (Because the St. Louis arch,
of course, looks like a frown.)
Our young blunderbuss quickly makes it to the moon, where he and the mynah
bird rearrange some moon rocks to spell out his colossal message for the
benefit of everyone on Earth: “I GOT BIG PLANS!” it reads. “BIG PLANS, I
SAY!”
This story’s over-the-top fun and excellent, large-scale pictures make it an
energizing read for young kids or a zany gift for recent graduates: IT’S BIG
FUN, BIG FUN, I SAY!
Review by
Mark David Bradshaw, April 30, 2008
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