Stuart's Cape

November 4, 2002
Pennypacker's (Dumbstruck) winsomely warped tale introduces eight-year-old, woe-is-me Stuart, whose family has just moved to a new town. The boy feels anxious about many things, including his new house ("What if there were man-eating spiders in his new bedroom closet? Or, a man eating spiders?"); getting locked inside the bathroom of his new school; and the possibility that no one in third grade will want to be his friend. "Stuart was very good at worrying. He was not so good at waiting." Impatient for adventure, Stuart suddenly realizes, "Adventures only happen to people with capes!" He fashions his own by stapling together 100 old ties and the adventures begin. The funniest scenario involves the cape-draped lad's realization that he can fly—but he can't land until his aunt makes a giant slingshot and sends him a pound cake to weigh him down. Most preposterous is the final episode: after Stuart's parents forbid him to wear his superhero gear on school orientation day, his cat falls asleep on his cape and ends up switching identities with the trash collector—but the upshot is realistic (Stuart makes a friend). Matje's (A Pig Named Perrier) pen-and-ink spreads and spot illustrations (a standout shows Stuart racing across the top of a spread, his cape-of-ties sailing behind him) amplify Pennypacker's quirky humor. The wry tone may be lost on some readers, yet others will happily escape with Stuart as he embarks on his confidence-building flights of fancy. Ages 6-9.

August 1, 2005
Gr 2-4 -Stuart is a third-grader with serious concerns. He's worried about facing man-eating spiders, going to a new school, and having a boring life. What he needs is -&a cape! People with capes have lives rife with adventure. When Stuart creates a cape from old ties and a purple sock, things suddenly get interesting. He has a visit from a dinosaur, a horse, and a gorilla. Angel food cake gives him the power of flight. He grows toast from seed, and he rescues the trash man who has changed places with his cat. Each of these adventures is a humorous romp with clever word play and delightful twists. Sara Pennypacker's easy chapter book (Orchard, 2002) stretches the imagination for young listeners. Marguerite Gavin reads with dry humor and excellent pacing. Are Stuart's adventures real? Who cares! Children will be happy to just grab a cape and take off with Stuart on his flight of fancy. -"Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.