  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 03/01/2012 Gr 1–4—Jasper John Dooley is excited about being the class Star of the Week. He is looking forward to participating in some activities, but things don't seem to go as planned. As Jasper prepares for show-and-tell, his friend Ori storms into class late and talks about his brand-new baby sister, taking the attention from the star and his enthusiasm for his lint collection. While working on his family-tree poster, Jasper realizes he is jealous of Ori and the past Stars of the Week, who have large family trees. The class laughs when Jasper shows off his three-dimensional "Family Stick" with an imaginary sibling. When he builds an imaginary brother out of wood and brings him to class, everyone laughs again. With each mishap, Jasper is scared that he will lose his star badge. This first title in a transitional chapter book series introduces an enthusiastic boy full of creativity and everyday concerns. Line drawings in various sizes support his quirky personality and zeal. This title serves as an easier, male rendition of Sarah Pennypacker's "Clementine" series (Hyperion).—Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 03/01/2012 Irrepressible Jasper embraces his role as classroom Star of the Week. True, show-and-tell does not go as planned. His classmates are surprisingly unimpressed by his lint collection, but he has high hopes for Family Tree day. His best friend, Ori, has a baby sister (named “Wa-wa-wa-wa” for her incessant crying), and Jasper wants one, too. Stymied by his parents’ refusal to check the hospital for extra babies, Jasper fleshes out his family tree by building a brother out of wood. Like show-and-tell, having a wooden brother does not unfold as Jasper expects. Characters are likable and quirky, and their exuberance is captured in intermittent pencil illustrations. This well-written, funny, and engaging story is a promising start to a new chapter-book series, and early readers will anticipate Jasper and Ori’s further adventures. Share with kids looking for a boy version of Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine series or with fans of Lenore Look’s Alvin Ho books. - Copyright 2012 Booklist. Bulletin for the Center... - 06/01/2012 Jasper has been waiting all year for his turn to be his class’ Star of the Week, a five-day series of special honors that includes Show and Tell, Family Tree, Science Experiment, Share My Talent, and Special Snack. Unfortunately, the class is less than impressed with Jasper’s lint collection (dryer and belly button), and he loses the spotlight to his best friend, Ori, who announces during Show and Tell that his new baby sister has arrived. On Family Tree day, Jasper expands his family with a sibling, Earl, made from wood, but because he is so busy working on Earl, Jasper forgets all about Science Experiment day. He gets back on track with Share My Talent day, though, and ends on a strong note with a plateful of star-shaped “J” cookies for Snack Day. Haplessly comedic Jasper is an exuberant if quirky kid who’s fortunate to have an extremely loving and understanding set of parents. The episodic plot is overstretched at times, but there is plenty of humor to be had as Jasper talks his way into and out of all kinds of shenanigans with varying degrees of success. Clanton’s pencil sketches, appearing in the occasional half-page vignette, are combinations of cartoonishly simple lines and soft shading. Although some readers may find Jasper’s quirkiness more showoffy than endearing, those who identify with his creative approach to problem-solving will find this a welcome new addition to early chapter books. HM - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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