Smartypants (Pete in School) - Hardcover

Kalman, Maira

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399234780 ISBN 13: 9780399234781

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2003

Synopsis

Having a dog in class is always a clue that it's going to be an interesting day, especially when the dog in question-and the one with all the answers-is the insatiable canine gourmand Pete, last seen munching everything from jellybeans to underwear on his way through the alphabet in What Pete Ate from A-Z.

Poppy Wise has mixed feelings about school and her teachers have mixed feelings about her dog, Pete. Pete wreaks havoc in math; causes chaos in science (Mrs. Magma has a meltdown when he swallows her microscope!); and is a star in art (Miss Crumple finds Pete colorful when he eats all the crayons). As Pete gets his fill of knowledge, he also serves as an impetus for learning rules are made to be broken and there is no end to learning. This new adventure is sure to be another "giggly meal for readers who relish ridiculousness, randomness, rambunctiousness and alliteration."-Time Out New York

About this title

About the Author

In her own words: "born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines.  cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one."
In her own words: "born. bucolic childhood. culture-stuffed adolescence. played piano. stopped. danced. stopped. wrote. discarded writing. drew. reinstated writing. married Tibor Kalman and collaborated at iconoclastic yet successful design studio. wrote and painted children's books. worried. took up Ping-Pong. relaxed. wrote and painted for many magazines.  cofounded the Rubber Band Society. amused. children: two. dog: one."

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. Sometimes Kalman's books (and their outrageous humor) seem more aimed at adults than kids. But not this one. Pete, the shaggy dog introduced in What Pete Ate from A to Z (2001), is back--hungrier (and funnier) than ever. This time he goes to school with his owner, Poppy Wise, and her brother, Mookie (nicknamed Shmookie Scalandroopy by his sister), where he gobbles up, among other things, an encyclopedia. His literary indulgence becomes clear to his owners as they study at home that night: Pete not only speaks but also gives them answers to their homework. The next day, the excited Wise children bring Pete to school disguised as their brilliant cousin, Pearl Buttonweiser--but Pete's wagging tail eventually gives him away. The design and the artwork are signature Kalman: inventive, eye-catching, bold yet subtle. Some children may have trouble reading the hand-lettered text, but many will find it worth the effort to catch all the jokes. Readers will also find some interesting information. With so many witty asides and quirky artistic tangents, saying that this will be read more than once is an understatement. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0399234780
• ISBN 13: 9780399234781
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Kalman Maira