Spinky Sulks

by William Steig, William Steig (Illustrator)

Overview

William Steig's Spinky Sulks is a 1988 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year.

Spinky is convinced that his family hates him and goes off to sulk in his hammock. His brother and sister try to make amends. His mom even brings him a beautiful tray of food. But nothing can get Spinky to stop sulking—not even a circus passing by on his street! Will Spinky ever cheer up? Spinky Sulks is another delightful tale from the incomparable William Steig that will leave readers of all ages smiling.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312672461
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	01/04/2011
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	977,012
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD640L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based; the Caldecott Medal-winner Sylvester and the Magic Pebble; The Caldecott Honor book The Amazing Bone; and the Newbury Honor Books Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto. Stieg also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, and Our Miserable Life.

Editorial Reviews

Mr. Steig may be a chronological octogenarian, but he knows exactly what children think is funny.” —The New York Times Book Review

From the Publisher

Steig presents a humorous, thoughtful exploration of a child's ``own private thoughts and feelings,'' wherein Spinky is convinced that he is unloved by his family and goes into a massive funk. Ages 3-up. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 1-3 Spinky comes stomping out of the house in a major-league huff, mad at his family, mad at the whole human race. As he sulks about the yard, his sister and his brother come out to apologize repeatedly, his mother and father make nice, his friends try to lighten him upall to no avail. A circus parade goes by, but so what? His father hires a clown to coax him out of his scowl, but that doesn't work either. By this time, days have passed, and at last Spinky's mood passes too; now he's faced with the problem of rejoining his family in a way that saves his self-respect. He secretly concocts a huge feast for them, dresses as a clown, and everyone laughs for a long time, crisis over. That a child would sulk is certainly a real issue, but children aren't likely to gain much perspective on their own snits from the reductio ad absurdum because everyone in Spinky's world behaves so unrealistically, and the ending is just not feasible. Steig never talks down to his readers, but he generally delivers his point more imaginatively and less facilely. John Peters, New York Public Library

School Library Journal