7 December 2019 CHICK AND BRAIN: SMELL MY FOOT! by Cece Bell, Candlewick, September 2019, 72p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-7936-1
Brain wants his buddy Chick to smell his foot.
“‘Smell my foot!’
‘What?’
‘Smell my foot!’
‘No. I will not smell your foot.’
‘Oh, come on! Smell it!’
‘Smell it now!’
‘No. I will not smell your foot.’
‘But my foot smells good.’
‘My foot smells great!’
‘Maybe your foot smells good.’
‘Maybe your foot smells great.’
‘But I will not smell your foot until you say PLEASE.’
‘Like this: Please smell my foot.’
‘Oh! OK!’
‘SNIFF!’
‘Woo! That is something else!’
‘Now you can smell my foot!’
‘No, no, no! You must say PLEASE.’
‘Say please, and then I will smell your foot.’
(Brain scratches his head.)
‘Oh!’
‘Please smell my foot.’
‘That is much better!’
‘Now I will smell your foot.’
‘SNIFF!’”
Not all new readers have an easy time of it, or a natural passion for reading. For those who are struggling or reluctant, it helps to have noteworthy books to share, books that are crazy, silly, and fun.
Cece Bell’s CHICK AND BRAIN: SMELL MY FOOT! contains these elements that keep young readers reading. CHICK AND BRAIN (rhymes with Dick and Jane) turn the teaching of “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” into a running joke worthy of a comedy team. It’s also a memorable friendship book in which Brain rescues the clueless Chick from becoming Spot the dog’s lunch, thanks to Brain having a stinky foot up his sleeve.
Brain is a sight to behold. Either he’s got a brain setting atop his head, looking like an Afro, or an Afro looking like a brain. Furthermore, he’s garbed in white boxers with red hearts and his hands and feet are attached by stick figure arms and legs. Unfolding in comic book format, through four chapters, this beginning reader is guaranteed to hold the attention of goofy, active six-year-olds.
I’m hoping we’ll see another book featuring this odd pair of characters.
“‘Hey, Spot!’
‘Smell my foot!’
‘Not again!’”
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
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richiepartington@gmail.com
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