Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week Hope Morrison Adderson, Caroline . Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week; illus. by Ben Clanton. Kids Can, 2012. 127p. ISBN 978-1-55453-578-1 $16.95 Ad Gr. 2-3. Jasper has been waiting all year for his turn to be his class' Star of the Week, a five-day series of special honors that includes Show and Tell, Family Tree, Science Experiment, Share My Talent, and Special Snack. Unfortunately, the class is less than impressed with Jasper's lint collection (dryer and belly button), and he loses the spotlight to his best friend, Ori, who announces during Show and Tell that his new baby sister has arrived. On Family Tree day, Jasper expands his family with a sibling, Earl, made from wood, but because he is so busy working on Earl, Jasper forgets all about Science Experiment day. He gets back on track with Share My Talent day, though, and ends on a strong note with a plateful of star-shaped "J" cookies for Snack Day. Haplessly comedic Jasper is an exuberant if quirky kid who's fortunate to have an extremely loving and understanding set of parents. The episodic plot is overstretched at times, but there is plenty of humor to be had as Jasper talks his way into and out of all kinds of shenanigans with varying degrees of [End Page 496] success. Clanton's pencil sketches, appearing in the occasional half-page vignette, are combinations of cartoonishly simple lines and soft shading. Although some readers may find Jasper's quirkiness more showoffy than endearing, those who identify with his creative approach to problem-solving will find this a welcome new addition to early chapter books. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois