REVIEW: I’m Afraid Your Teddy Is In Trouble Today by Jancee Dunn
B Reviews / Book Reviewschildren's fiction / childrens-books / picture books / toys2 Comments
What do your toys do when your back is turned? Mischief — and a bit of wish fulfillment — are in play when a ringleader teddy bear throws a very memorable party.
Have you ever wondered what stuffed animals do while their companion humans are at school? What if a teddy bear invited all his stuffed animal friends over? Imagine the wild party that might ensue, complete with jumping (a little too hard) on the bed, coloring on the walls, dressing up in Mom’s clothes, having a bubble-bath sliding contest in the hall, sledding down a “cushion mountain” on a cookie tray. . . . As adorable as it is raucous, Jancee Dunn’s whimsical tale of freedom and fun comes to vibrant life in Scott Nash’s colorful illustrations.
Dear Ms. Dunn,
This is definitely not about a cute, lovable teddy bear doing darling things. Oh no, this teddy is in trouble today. While his person was at school, this teddy got his paws on the cell phone and called up all his stuffed animal friends. Well, the police officers will have to show what those toys got up to.
“I’m Afraid Your Teddy is in Trouble Today” is the antidote to all the overly sweet stories of children and their stuffed animals. This is the story of what kids would love to get up to if they were alone in the house. Have fun scanning the illustration of the officers walking into the house and spot all the mischief in that room alone – Maple syrup, watermelon, balloons and how on earth did they get the sprinkler up there!? Chocolate chip pancakes with blueberries and rainbow sprinkles. And cherries. And whipped cream. Jumping on the bed until it breaks. Drawing on the wall with crayons. A bubble bath sliding contest on the floor. But it was the dance party that got the neighbors calling the police.
Even the fire department has to get in on the act. Just when things look bad for teddy, the police officer remembers her childhood teddy bear and lets him off with a gentle warning. I think children would enjoy seeing what their beloved stuffed animals might get into while they’re stuck in school. And when I was looking for illustrations, I came across pictures of LAPD officers reading the book to children in a local library. Parents before reading this to your children – put the syrup, sprinkles and crayons away first. Just to be safe. B
~Jayne
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The sounds like a fun read (and potentially a dangerous one!) Thanks for your review, Jayne.
@Kareni: Even stuffed animals can get naughty!