Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches

by Lisa Broadie Cook, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

Overview

Martin MacGregor is having one rotten week! First, his substitute teacher, Mrs. Payne, gives out mountains of homework. And when Martin's dog literally eats his homework, little does he know it's only the beginning of his troubles. Martin's homework ends up in the washing machine, goes to kindergarten with his little sister, and blows onto the roof of the school. Martin just can't catch a break!

But with some creativity and a positive attitude, Martin finds his own way to turn homework into fun-and turn it in on time!

New York Times bestselling illustrator Jack E. Davis's vibrant and detailed artwork gives life to a funny, lively story that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt what it's like to show up unprepared- even when it's not your fault.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101648551
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	07/07/2011
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	118 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lisa Broadie Cook is a teacher and the author of Martin MacGregor's Snowman. She lives in Boone, Iowa.

Jack E. Davis is the illustrator of many books for children, including New York Times bestseller Marsupial Sue and We're All in the Same Boat. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1–3—Martin MacGregor is having a string of bad luck with his strict substitute teacher. No matter how hard he tries, his homework is never handed in clean and on time. The dog eats it, his mom washes it, or the wind blows it away and, as a result, Martin misses recess every day. As the week winds down, his dad encourages him to make up and complete a homework assignment that interests him. Martin had been looking forward to meeting Harriett, his teacher's pet tarantula, so he studies tarantulas, obsessively integrating them into every part of his life, including meals and pet play. When Mr. Elliott returns the next week, Martin is happily surprised (though readers won't be) by the class assignment to study and collect information about tarantulas; the best work will be rewarded with a home visit by Harriett. Though no new ground is broken here, Cook effectively deals with the frustrations of children faced with intractable authority, and Davis's colorful pencil and acrylic cartoon illustrations serve the material well.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

School Library Journal

When a beloved teacher is replaced by a substitute for the week, Martin lives out every homework excuse in the book.

On Monday, his dog eats the peanut butter and jelly off his homework...and his homework, too. He has to redo it and miss recess. On Tuesday, it goes through the wash. He writes lines and misses recess. By this time, readers will be wondering what other tragedy will befall the unlucky Martin. On Thursday, he grabs the wrong backpack and has a dolly instead of his homework. That night, his dad suggests that the morose Martin think of something interesting to research on the computer as a cure for the boring homework blues. But on Friday, his homework woes continue when a gust of wind snatches his definitions. The following Monday, Martin drags himself into the classroom prepared for something to have happened to his homework once again. But to his surprise, his teacher is back with a homework assignment that is right up Martin's alley. Davis' toothy cartoon characters are wonderfully expressive, especially the hapless Martin. The bright colors and humorous situations are certain to keep readers' attention as they try to guess what could possibly happen to Martin next.

A funny riff on the ever-popular dog-ate-my-homework theme; would that every child's homework excuses were as legitimate as Martin's. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews