Cover picture from Goodreads.com
This book was my final choice for Kids' Night Out (our story walk here at the school that was last night), but it did not go over as well as I had hoped. It made me a little sad because I love this book. It makes me laugh, and my 8 and 5 year-old find it funny as well. I could tell as I read, though, that some kids just were not getting it. I think there are a few reasons. First, kids need to understand what the word "dull" means. I did discuss it before I started to read, but the names of the kids even go with that theme (Blanda, Borely, and Dud), and we did not address that. Next, they need to pay attention to the illustrations. I do not love the illustrator's style, but the pictures are funny! While the parents are busy picking out bland paint for the house, the baby is skillfully scaling the shelves in the paint store. Finally (and I think this one was the kicker), kids need to get the sarcasm. I think I take for granted that my kids are fluent in sarcasm at a young age because they are being raised by the master of sarcasm! I am afraid not all kids will get it or enjoy it like mine do, and a big part of it is how sarcastic and goofy it is. I had to discuss the book as I read it, and I think that was too much for kids just coming in their pjs to hear a book (some of the kids being pretty young). I will keep it in mind for next year to pick an "easier" read, but I would not discount this title if your kids enjoy some snark and sarcasm like mine do because I had to get my boys to NOT come see me read and see other readers instead because we loved this book, and they want to hear it again and again!