School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Waber's classic has been repackaged as a proto "Diary of a Wimpy Kid": the title and chapter headings are presented in a childish, handwritten scrawl printed over a notebook paper background. This is not a novel, a graphic novel, or a hybrid of the two, but a collection of eight illustrated vignettes, all ending with a satisfying punch line. The situations should still ring true for children today: one girl tricks another into letting her read her diary, a boy struggles to remember to sit up straight in school, and a girl tries not to let a daydream interrupt her homework. The volume concludes with the tale of Peter Perfect, who loves brussels sprouts, never makes a mess, and turns out to be a windup doll. The cartoon-style line drawings resemble less-detailed sketches of illustrations in Waber's Lyle, Lyle Crocodile or Ira Sleeps Over. An almost pointillist technique gives the art rough, wavy lines, which adds to the simple, retro look. VERDICT Though this is not a "Wimpy Kid" replacement, this reissue's gentle humor and whimsical illustrations have lasting appeal.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Eight snappy vignettes look at various child-friendly predicaments: trying not to daydream in class, hoping itll rain so you can wear your new rain gear, laughing so hard you cant even explain whats funny, being compared to a most perfect-seeming child. The text is all dialogue, the illustrations are sketchlike, and both are spot-on with their child logic and humor. This editions format is more novel-like than the small and squarish original (rev. 2/72). elissa gershowitz (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
