Stagestruck

by Tomie dePaola Narrated by Eve Bianco

Overview

Tommy is so excited. His first-grade class is putting on a play about Peter Rabbit, and he's sure to get the starring role. But in his enthusiasm, Tommy talks too much in class, so his teacher decides that he should play Mopsy instead-and Mopsy doesn't have any lines! Tommy is disappointed until he gets an idea. If he can't be the star, he can still get the audience's attention by reacting to everything Peter Rabbit does. But how will Tommy's mother and teacher react to his performance?

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

DePaola (26 Fairmount Avenue) takes the stage in this latest story inspired by his childhood memories. For young Tommy, all the world-and especially all of kindergarten-is a stage. Tommy did such a swell job as Pilgrim John Alden in the class's Thanksgiving production, he's confident he'll play the lead in the spring play, Peter Rabbit. But Tommy's enthusiasm about the role gets the better of him and when his attention wanders and he talks out of turn, Miss Bird relegates him to play Mopsy instead of Peter. Since there are no small parts (only small actors, as the saying goes), Tommy takes it upon himself to use his gift of "stage presence" and play Mopsy for all the bunny's worth. The hammy result amuses the audience, but not Miss Bird, or Tommy's fellow actors-especially the boy playing Peter. Amends are made, and Tommy sets his sights on the next opportunity to take the stage. Gentle humor and realistic childhood emotions abound in this tale of the ups and downs of a budding performer. DePaola's recognizable style of sunny, acrylic paintings spotlighting Tommy's bushy head of dark hair and playfully prominent ears are worthy of an encore. And small panel scenes of Tommy/Mopsy's antics plus his daydreams of spotlights to come are sure to rouse a chuckle from readers. Ages 4-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

DePaola recounts another anecdote from his childhood in this school story that explores the concept of "stealing the show." The main character, Tommy, is very interested in dancing and acting, and he hopes to be cast as Peter Rabbit in the class play. When he's cast instead in a minor role as Mopsy the rabbit sibling, he upstages everyone during the performance, earning lots of laughs and applause, but displeasing his mom and teacher. Tommy has to apologize to his teacher and to the boy who played Peter Rabbit, but he can't forget the laughter and applause and can't wait for his next performance opportunity. Teachers putting on classroom plays of their own will find this story useful, both for its thoughtful exploration of appropriate behavior on stage and for a general introduction to the theatrical experience. As in DePaola's other stories that incorporate his childhood memories, this classroom is a peek back into an earlier time, with boys in knickers and girls in dresses and hair bows, but the emotions of a budding thespian remain the same. (Picture book. 5-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169293692
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	06/26/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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