Jitterbug Jam (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) - Hardcover

Hicks, Barbara Jean

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374336857 ISBN 13: 9780374336851

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2005

Synopsis

What does this monster have under his bed?

Bobo is a young monster who's afraid to sleep in his own bed. He is sure there is a boy hiding beneath it - a boy with "pink skin and orange fur on his head where his horns should be." Bobo's older brother thinks he's a fraidy-cat, but his grandpa, Boo-Dad, knows all about these fearful creatures. And Boo-Dad knows exactly what to do to scare them away. But after being afraid for so long, Bobo might just want to take matters into his own paws and find out if the creature under his bed really is as bad as he thinks.

This rambunctious story of a youngster overcoming anxiety and limitations is set in a captivating otherworld that springs to life in pictures full of enchantment and surprise.

About this title

About the Author

Barbara Jean Hicks lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is author-in-residence at an elementary school. This is her first book for children.

Alexis Deacon's previous book, Beegu, was a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. He lives in London, England.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–In this tale of bedtime anxiety, Little Bobo is teased by his older brother because he's afraid of a boy under his bed. Yet the young monster claims he's no fraidy-cat, neither, because who wouldn't be scared of a boy with pink skin and orange fur on his head where his horns by right should be, and eyes that awful color the sky is when you wake up in the middle of the day.... Then Boo-Dad (grandfather) shows up. As family members swig hot bug juice and eat slabs of homemade bread with jitterbug jam, he tells of his own childhood encounter with a human. Bobo finds comfort and courage in the tale, and, at bedtime, when the boy appears, Bobo is ready for him. The story is told in an on-again-off-again folksy dialect, and is too lengthy and confusing for young audiences. For example, the beginning of Boo-Dad's tale is visually set apart from the rest of the story, but there is no clear ending. Despite the textual problems, the art is beautiful. With muted colors, black outlines, and shadows, it will both enchant and frighten young readers. Carefully detailed bugs and other critters frame Boo-Dad's story and cover the walls, Mama's dress, and the endpapers. The text is presented in traditional format and dialogue balloons. The book's audience is older children who have outgrown their fear of monsters.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
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About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0374336857
• ISBN 13: 9780374336851
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Deacon Alexis