Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker

July 24, 2006
When hearing Cartwright create the voices of McDonald's cast, it's not hard to see why she was chosen as the voice talent for one of the best-known TV characters of all time, Bart Simpson: she has the perfect voice for rebellious kids. Cartwright, who learned her craft from Daws Butler, the performer who gave voice to Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, and many others for Hanna-Barbera, knows from her animation experience how to distill full drama into an audio-only performance. Stink, whom Cartwright depicts as having a chronically stuffed-up nose, is played a tad lower-key than Bart, but he shares the same energetic and buoyant laugh. When he receives 10 pounds of candy in the mail as a result of writing a letter of complaint (his jaw remained unbroken after eating a huge jawbreaker), it inspires a whole letter-writing campaign. In keeping with Stink's kid-like interpretation of things, more than 30 giggle-inducing idioms appear here (e.g. "cost and arm and a leg") which Cartwright reels off at the end of the story, making it not only a boisterously entertaining audiobook, but a delightful educational tool as well. Ages 5-8.

July 1, 2006
Gr 1-3 -Judy Moody -s seven-year-old brother is back with new super-galactic adventures. Stink buys the World -s Biggest Jawbreaker and slurps, sloops, and shloops it all day until in one crunch, it is G-O-N-E. Disappointed that his jaw isn -t broken, he decides to use his new letter-writing skills to complain to the company. He receives 21,280 jawbreakers, prompting him to write more letters in an attempt to get more free stuff. Candy, toys, and zoo passes arrive daily for Stink, who won -t share any of his treasures with his -green with envy - older sister, Judy. He is so busy receiving the free goodies that he overlooks his super-best friend Webster -s birthday party invitation, and he has to find a way to mend their friendship. He has also been learning about idioms in school and peppers them throughout the story along with his colorful Stink-isms. Black-and-white comic-book-style illustrations are clever and zany. This early chapter book is bound to be a hit with fans of Stink or Judy Moody, and it makes a hilarious read-aloud." -Michele Shaw, formerly at Yorkshire Academy, Houston, TX"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2006
Gr. 2-4. Stink discovers the power of the pen when he writes a letter of complaint to the manufacturer of a disappointing jawbreaker and receives a 10-pound box of the candies in response. The flurry of correspondence continues with more complaint letters, a thank-you note, and, eventually, a written apology. Like big sister Judy Moody, Stink sports a memorable name and a talent for self-expression. His predicaments and triumphs have a childlike air, and the quick-witted dialogue will keep readers entertained. The idioms that Stink learns in his classroom, such as "strike a deal" and "cost an arm and a leg" (36 of them are listed on the book's last page) seem a little less credible, though teachers doing units on idioms or letter writing may find the book an appealing adjunct to the curriculum. With large print, an attractive format, and an eye-catching cover, the second book in the Stink series will attract its share of readers who are just getting comfortable with chapter books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)