The Incredible Shrinking Kid

February 28, 2005
This spirited launch of a new series focuses on Judy Moody's younger brother, Stink. But Judy's fans will be pleased that she plays a pivotal role here. Each day she pulls out a tape measure to learn whether Stink—the shortest kid in his second-grade class at 3' 8"—has finally grown. After one such session reveals that her brother has shrunk
, Judy suggests he apply gel to make his hair stick up so he'll look taller, which turns his locks bright orange. The lad believes his luck is changing when the teacher draws his name to care for the class pet, a newt, for a weekend. Alas, another of Judy's attempts to help results in calamity: when the two are cleaning the newt's cage, the pet disappears down the kitchen sink and
Judy accidentally flips the switch for the garbage disposal. Yet the quick-thinking girl assures Stink that the creature likely slipped down the pipes to safety ("Think of it like Stuart Little
. He's probably sailing down the river right now on a raft, having a big, fat, newt adventure"). For a President's Day assignment, Stink eschews Washington and Lincoln to write about James Madison, the "shortest president ever" (his family shows their support by throwing the boy a James Madison Day party). "The Adventures of Stink," silly comic strips hand-drawn by the boy and positing him in various superhero roles, add little to the plot but may well attract reluctant readers. McDonald's breezy narrative and likable characters will keep Judy's followers amply amused and recruit new fans. Ages 5-8.

April 1, 2005
Gr 1-2 -"Short, shorter, shortest!" Stink, the younger brother of the ever-popular Judy Moody, is shrinking. In the morning he was exactly one quarter inch taller than he is that night. For the shortest second grader in his school (maybe in the world), this is a disaster. What can he do? Judy suggests stretching him out, but he decides to take his mother's advice and eat his peas instead. However, Stink has other worries as well, such as a disastrous weekend caring for his class's pet newt. Then, a President's Day project allows Stink to shine as he shares all he knows about his favorite president, James Madison, who was also short. Delightful full-page and spot-art cartoons and playful language in large type bring the child's adventures to life. "Things are definitely looking up, up, UP" with this bright addition to beginning chapter-book collections." -Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2005
Gr. 2--4. The pesky little brother in McDonald's popular Judy Moody series gets his own book and tells his own story here. " Little" is the word for James ("Stink") Moody; he's short, the shortest kid in his second-grade class. Is he shrinking? Judy is his bossy older sister, but he learns to handle her. For Presidents' Day, Stink's hero is not big tall Lincoln but another James, James Madison, the shortest president ever. The narrative is fun and laced with puns--from Mt. Trashmore to "newt in shining armor," and it's peppered with black-and-white illustrations, including comics ("The Adventures of Stink") reflecting Stink's triumphant fantasies. Stink sometimes seems younger than his years, so try this as a read-aloud for preschoolers or kindergarteners fed up with big, bossy types telling them what to do.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)