The Table Sets Itself - Hardcover

Clanton, Ben

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802734472 ISBN 13: 9780802734471

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2013

Synopsis

Izzy is thrilled to finally help set the table, learning all the proper places for her friends Fork, Spoon, Dish, Napkin, Cup, and Knife. But once they get into a nightly groove, Izzy and her friends grow tired of their same old spots. Shaking things up doesn't go over so well with Mom and Dad, so Spoon and Dish run off for an adventure of their own. Lonely without her favorite tablemates, Izzy will need to find a way to convince Spoon and Dish to come back to the table.
Perfect for any kid who has ever resisted a daily task, this clever, pun-filled story is gentle reminder that every dish has its place, and that injecting some creativity into daily tasks can make even the dullest ones lots of fun.

About this title

About the Author

BEN CLANTON loves a good adventure (especially those that happen in books). However, no matter where he goes (next door, Italy, or the Moon) Ben likes coming home best (hopefully to some macaroni and cheese). He is the author and illustrator of Vote for Me, and currently calls home Boston, Massachusetts, where he cooks up stories like this one.
www.benclanton.com

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1–Clanton transforms a common household task into an adventure in this quirky story. Young Izzy is proud when Mom allows her to take on the responsibility of setting the dinner table. Each night, she instructs her anthropomorphic friends, Dish, Fork, Knife, Spoon, Cup, and Napkin, to take their appropriate spots, but soon the chore becomes tedious. Izzy's pals think that switching places at the table is “the best idea since macaroni and cheese,” but the imaginative girl's parents don't agree. Unhappy with returning to their accustomed arrangement, Dish runs away with Spoon. Izzy and the others worry about the missing pair until they receive a series of letters from around the world. When the travelers finally return, they bring with them two new friends, a pair of chopsticks. The author sprinkles the text with silly jokes to make young readers giggle (“Did you hear that Pot boiled over? Yeah! He was really steamed.”) and gives a sly nod to Mother Goose's beloved nursery rhyme. The pencil and watercolor illustrations in pastel shades contain comic-book elements and add more humor to the story. Izzy is a bright, likable character with her bobbed hair and rosy cheeks. Pair this book with Simon James's hilarious Baby Brains and RoboMom (Candlewick, 2008) to help youngsters learn about helping around the house.–Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

After waiting a bigillion years, Izzy is finally allowed to set the table by herself. But setting it the same old way is really BBORINGGG!! as Dish, Fork, Knife, Spoon, Cup, and Napkin must settle in the same old place night after night. When the group mixes it up, Izzy’s parents don’t understand: Back to your proper spot NOW, says Mom. An especially sour Dish and Spoon decide to run away together, much to the consternation of the remaining utensils, and send humorous postcards with photos from their travels. Eventually, the two return home (Dish is broke), bringing two skinny friends shouting Ni hao! as they arrive with their suitcase. Once again, the ordinary place setting is turned upside down when the chopstick couple is added to the mix. The humorous drawings in pencil, watercolor, and textured paper employ numerous puns set at a child’s level. Cup, Knife, Fork, and Napkin (the stay-at-homes) each have distinct personalities, and Izzy, with her hair bow and red-and-white striped kneesocks, is a winning character as she emotes boredom, loss, and joy. Preschool-Grade 2. --Lolly Gepson

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802734472
• ISBN 13: 9780802734471
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40