Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 1-3. Kangaroo child Norma Jean loves to jump. The problem is that her jumping gets out of hand, causing accidents and some ruffled feelings among her friends. When one of them angrily asserts that ``it is no fun playing with a jumping bean,'' Norma stops her jumping entirely. But when the school's field-day games come up, Norma Jean is coaxed back into action long enough to win several ribbons ``After all, there is a time and a place for jumping.'' The story's straightforward message on moderation is lightened by Munsinger's comic illustrations, which depict an earnest and very childlike Norma Jean weathering the ups and downs of her behavior. This is light, popular fare for beginning readers. DMW. Jumping Fiction [CIP] 86-15588
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this Step into Reading book, Norma Jean, kangaroo, jumps past her friends on the way to school. And her jumping gets in the way of playshe knocks down frog Neal'stower of blocks, spills pig Sara's milk, bounces Ted the bear off the seesaw and splashes a cross porcupine named Amy out of her pool. One mean remark from a friend, and Norma Jean has had it. She starts walking through puddles instead of jumping, and declining jump roping and jumping contests on Field Day. But when good-hearted Norma Jean cheers for her friends, she just has to jump; the kangaroo regains her congenital itch to hop. A winning story about the natural traits of individuals and the recognition of true identity; readers will see that there's no point in going against the grain. Munsinger's animalsannoyed, then overjoyedare some of the most endearing around. Ages 58. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
