Jumping Monkeys Episode 59: The Stinky Cheese Man

Today we are honored to talk to Jon Scieszka, the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and author of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man, The Math Curse, Squid is Squid, Cowboy and Octopus, and many other children's books. Visit Jon at his personal site and at Guys Read.

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SPEND: Mo Willems Stuff

SAVE: Rookie Moms Staycation Guides

GIVE: Give the Gift of Sight

BOOK PICK: Cowboy and Octopus


LISTENER FEEDBACK:

Stephanie's looking for book picks to listen to in the car on a family vacation.

Leo suggests Summerland by Michael Chabon

I suggest The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo.

Comments

[James]

I listen to old time radio shows like the green hornet, and there are dramatized books on audible as well. All of the ones I have listened to are kid friendly.

thanks James
Brooklyn NY

[SarahD]

Try Nancy Farmer for the reluctant reader. She's the mother of a boy who's also uninterested in the princesses, and one of the things she thinks about as she's reading is "would he keep reading?", so she tends towards the gritty. Also lots of Africa themes. I haven't read her most recent, but it's in my bedside stack. Loooooooove House of the Scorpion -- young adult, so it's got adult-ish themes like violence and slavery, but no sex.

[Mary Graham]

I'd suggest Watership Down, which your kids might enjoy, but my husband and I both read and re-read. There are some tense moments, but it has a positive message and is about rabbits. What could be better? Also, even though it sounds girly, it's not: The #1 Ladies Detective Agency series provides wonderful stories with funny moments and a lovely setting in Botswana.

[Anne Noise]

Math Curse used to be my favorite book as a child, and I loved Stinky Cheese Man and Three Little Pigs. Thanks for the reminder - I know I own copies of them all, just need to find them for a quick read!

[Stephanie G]

I appreciate the recommendations! We ended up listening to James Patterson Roses are Red, a murder mystery/thriller after a failed attempt to listen to Oracle Night, which didn't have enough action. It's something I wouldn't normally read, but enjoyable for the car. We did have to turn it down a few times and listen when the kids were listening to other things on their head phones.
I later remembered that we have enjoyed John Grisham and Walter Mosely in the past. The key is a story that keeps moving, and keeps you wanting to hear more.
The kids have enjoyed Ramona books and Roald Dahl.