Phil the Ventriloquist - Hardcover

Kraus, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688079881 ISBN 13: 9780688079888

Publisher: William Morrow & Co, 1989

Synopsis

Phil's ability to throw his voice bothers his parents until the night a burglar sneaks into the house.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Phil drives his parents crazy with his talent for ventriloquismhe makes it sound as if the oranges are screaming when his mother tries to squeeze juice from them and he has his father's favorite chair yell, "Don't sit on me!" The parents buy him a dummy, but Phil has no interest in such an ordinary use of his gift. When a burglar creeps into the house late one night, Phil keeps his head and throws his voice into, among other things, a bowl of fruit, which cries, "Stick 'em up!" Ventriloquism is a source of fascination for children, but this book takes for granted that readers will know what it is, as well as the term "throwing" the voice. That may be a minor point compared to the funny moments throughout. Watercolor and felt marker illustrations give Phil's excellent sense of timing extra punch, and the book is worth a re-read just to see the furniture talking. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Phil is a young rabbit ventriloquist whose talent is not appreciated by his parents until he uses it to scare off a burglar. Kraus' simple picture book is full of the silly humor that children love--Phil rejects a ventriloquist's dummy in favor of making household items, food, and clothing talk (he makes the eggs that his mother is scrambling say, "Don't scramble me!"). Large marker and watercolor pictures on white backgrounds will work well in group settings, and the large sans serif type can be read independently by beginning readers. While not as sophisticated as David Lord Porter's homage to ventriloquism, Help! Let Me Out (Houghton, 1982), Phil the Ventriloquist will tickle the funny bones of younger children. --David Gale, "School Library Journal"
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow & Co
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0688079881
• ISBN 13: 9780688079888
• Binding: Hardcover