School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Ben and Jill love to go to Jo-Jo's Jelly Bean Shop, especially on Saturdays when the proprietor awards a jar of the candy to the child who can answer a riddle. Ben knows the answer every time, but he is too shy to speak up, even with his sibling's encouragement. Aboff skillfully describes the boy's efforts to overcome his timidity. Children will identify with Ben and cheer when he is finally successful. There are contextual clues in Billin-Frye's delightful color cartoons, which feature a multicultural cast of characters. This book holds its own with the best of Cynthia Rylant's "Henry and Mudge" titles (S & S) in terms of writing and illustration. With its drama, alliteration, and wonderful depiction of a shy child breaking through a barrier, this is a winner.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Ben is shy about answering riddles at the local candy store, but with his sister's help one Saturday he is brave enough to raise his hand, answer a riddle, and win a jar of jelly beans. The book has an appealing subject and an accessible writing style, and the illustrations are cheery. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
K-Gr. 2. Ben loves jelly beans and he loves going too-Jo'selly Bean Shop, where every weekend the store's owner has a contest: he reads a riddle about a jelly bean flavor, and the kid with the right answer wins a jar of jelly beans. Ben always knows the answers, but he never wins because he is shy, and he lets the bigger, louder kids (including his older sister) take over. Readers of this Puffin Easy-to-Read title will work out the answers with Ben, and they'll sympathize with his nervousness and applaud when he finally finds the confidence to shout out the right answer. The tasty, rhyming riddles make words part of the fun, and the clear, playful line-and-watercolor illustrations show the small kid's failure, the building tension, and, at last, the boy's triumphant win. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2004 Booklist