  | Full Text Reviews: Bulletin for the Center... - 07/01/2005 When your big sister is Judy Moody (from Judy Moody, BCCB 5/00), you can bet you’re in for some rough times, and it sure doesn’t help if you’re the shortest second-grader in your class. Stink is remarkably resilient, however, bearing up against such tragedies as Judy’s giving him hair gel that, instead of giving him sticking-up hair to make him look taller as advertised, turns his hair orange, and Judy’s losing his class salamander down the drain and then turning the garbage disposal on. He copes by drawing comics for each fresh disaster in his life and championing his favorite president James Madison, who also happens to be the shortest president in history. McDonald cleverly pits Stink’s earnest and slightly geeky personality against his sister’s more adamant one, and she introduces some characters we hope to see more of, especially Stink’s friend, Elizabeth (“call me Sophie of the Elves”), who looks like a small Edith Head. Reynolds’ illustrations, especially those that are featured in Stink’s comic books, add to the quirky humor and further develop mood and character with their perspective and energy. Readers of Judy Moody who requested that Stink have a book of his own will not be disappointed. - Copyright 2005 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 04/01/2005 Gr 1-2-"Short, shorter, shortest!" Stink, the younger brother of the ever-popular Judy Moody, is shrinking. In the morning he was exactly one quarter inch taller than he is that night. For the shortest second grader in his school (maybe in the world), this is a disaster. What can he do? Judy suggests stretching him out, but he decides to take his mother's advice and eat his peas instead. However, Stink has other worries as well, such as a disastrous weekend caring for his class's pet newt. Then, a President's Day project allows Stink to shine as he shares all he knows about his favorite president, James Madison, who was also short. Delightful full-page and spot-art cartoons and playful language in large type bring the child's adventures to life. "Things are definitely looking up, up, UP" with this bright addition to beginning chapter-book collections.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2005 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 03/01/2005 The pesky little brother in McDonald's popular Judy Moody series gets his own book and tells his own story here. Little is the word for James (Stink) Moody; he's short, the shortest kid in his second-grade class. Is he shrinking? Judy is his bossy older sister, but he learns to handle her. For Presidents' Day, Stink's hero is not big tall Lincoln but another James, James Madison, the shortest president ever. The narrative is fun and laced with puns--from Mt. Trashmore to newt in shining armor, and it's peppered with black-and-white illustrations, including comics (The Adventures of Stink) reflecting Stink's triumphant fantasies. Stink sometimes seems younger than his years, so try this as a read-aloud for preschoolers or kindergarteners fed up with big, bossy types telling them what to do. - Copyright 2005 Booklist. Loading...
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