Russell Sprouts

From Publishers Weekly Bright, ingenuous Russell of Rip Roaring Russell and Russell Rides Again is now in first grade. Like his female literary counterpartBeverly Cleary's RamonaRussell experiences life fully, puzzling over its ironies and contradictions. A new word he picked up at school, for instance, turns out to be a bad word that his mother forbids him to use. Russell is greatly surprised: How can a word be bad? When his report card reflects high marks in everything but Behavior (he calls out without raising his hand) Russell becomes frustrated. Angry with his parents for transgressions that loom large in his eyes, Russell makes them a report card, checking Needs Improvement under all five categories of "TV, Cookys, Presnts, Bed Time, and Yelling.stet" Hurwitz portrays the everyday events of childhood with an appealing blend of humor and realism. The curiosity, impatience, urgency and sincerity of a likable 6-year-old shine forth from these pages. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 5-8. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 3 Hurwitz continues the gently funny adventures of Russell, who is now six and in the first grade. In six loosely connected stories, Russell learns some new words to which his parents have a strong negative reaction, gets lost in the movie theater, and makes a report card for his parents. All these little contretemps are resolved in relaxed ways. By the end of the spring vacation, Russell, like his science project, has sprouted and is at last ready to wear the red rain coat that had been too big. Hurwitz' humor is quiet and gentle. Her characters approach each other with a basic good will and sweetness which makes most problems evaporate. The stories can stand alone as story-time read-alouds, and primary grade children will certainly identify with and enjoy them. Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, McKinney, Tex.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.