Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
302nd out of 311 books
—
88 voters
The Great Paper Caper
The animals' homes are disappearing. Tree by tree, the forest is being cut down. Clues! There must be clues. For instance, lookthere is a mysterious bear carrying an ax! But what would a bear want with so many trees? Perhaps the discarded paper airplanes littering the forest floor have a story to tell?
Oliver Jeffers' quirky, childlike humor and lovable illustrations are
...moreHardcover, 40 pages
Published
September 22nd 2008
by HarperCollins Children's Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
844)
Oliver Jeffers is an odd duck. This is a statement that should surprise no one. The man simply has a very distinctive way of looking at the world. Labeling his style doesn’t seem to work either. For a while there he was sort of the average-boy-meets-small-friendly-creature author/illustrator thanks to Lost and Found and The Way Back Home. But then you have his other titles to contend with. His How to Catch a Stars. His The Incredible Book Eating Boys. I often find that I can fill up these rev...more
Animals in this story sense a change in the life of the forest when trees suddenly start loosing branches, when whole tree trunks disappear and homes are lost. The only way to find out is by launching a full investigation which leads them to a bear who is found to be the culprit. The bear is taken to the police station and questioned. The bear confesses and the reason for him stealing the trees is because his dream is to win the paper aeroplane competition as bear generations had before him. In...more
Barely 3 stars from me. I’m not sure why I wasn’t more charmed by this one.
There is some humor, some sweetness, some interesting, intricate pictures, and quite a bit of whimsy.
But, overall it’s just odd, and didactic. There are little lessons about conservation, trees and paper and theft and redemption and giving. But those words are too mighty for this one, I think. It’s so, so odd. I was a bit disturbed by a pig cooking what looked to me to be bacon. I didn’t “get” most of the humor.
I guess i...more
There is some humor, some sweetness, some interesting, intricate pictures, and quite a bit of whimsy.
But, overall it’s just odd, and didactic. There are little lessons about conservation, trees and paper and theft and redemption and giving. But those words are too mighty for this one, I think. It’s so, so odd. I was a bit disturbed by a pig cooking what looked to me to be bacon. I didn’t “get” most of the humor.
I guess i...more
3 likes · like · see review
The reason I gave this book so many stars is because it was the first book I ever read with my nephew Cade. I probably would have never thought to read to him if it wasn't for our read aloud assignment. I am so happy that I ended up doing it though because we had such a great time. I could really connect with Cade reading in such a way that watching television wouldn't allow. He is only 20 months old so he didn't really get into the plot as much as he did the pictures. He has never been out of A...more
Oliver Jeffers never disappoints, but this one is easily one of his best works!
There was a time when everyone in the forest was quite content, but then tree branches started disappearing. Everyone blamed everyone else and they figured out that none of them was to blame, they decided to investigate...
Soon entire trees are disappearing and the forest dwellers dole out roles, one is a detective, one a judge, one a prosecuter, etc. so that they can catch the tree thief! But not a clue is to be found...more
There was a time when everyone in the forest was quite content, but then tree branches started disappearing. Everyone blamed everyone else and they figured out that none of them was to blame, they decided to investigate...
Soon entire trees are disappearing and the forest dwellers dole out roles, one is a detective, one a judge, one a prosecuter, etc. so that they can catch the tree thief! But not a clue is to be found...more
A quirky, imaginative introduction to the “whodunit” genre for young readers with a message of conservation, recycling, and forgiveness thrown-in. The game is afoot, when the forest animals investigate to find out who is ruining their forest home. Someone is chopping down branches and littering the ground with paper airplanes. The characters play detective and then later judge and jury. The ending is not your typical conclusion to a crime story … but in some ways it is actually better, it has a...more
Oliver Jeffers must be a wonderfully weird person because his books are just so great! I liked The Great Paper Caper and after reading it twice, I really liked it. This is one of those wonderful picture books that really forces you to slow down to take in the pictures AND the text. I'm not sure that the green, environmentally-friendly message was all that clear to me. But I do like that the animals eventually came around to wanting to help the bear.
But what is WITH those skinny little animal le...more
But what is WITH those skinny little animal le...more
This story had amazing pictures, with delightful detailing, such as a pig doing laundry in an underground lair. The character are given thought bubbles which add intricate information to expand the story line-- if you look closely at the details. I really loved how all the animals had regular features, except for little stick legs!
Something strange is happening in the woods, branches are disappearing from trees and nobody knows why. As the forest creatures band together to search for clues, we (...more
Something strange is happening in the woods, branches are disappearing from trees and nobody knows why. As the forest creatures band together to search for clues, we (...more
The illustrations in this were as amazing, colorful, spacious, and whimsical as all of Jeffers' other books. This story was about a bunch of animals (and a boy) who lived under trees in the woods. One day branches start disappearing and they mark the trees off like a crime scene and form a court to get to the bottom of it. It turned out that bear had been stealing the tree branches to make paper, which he used to make paper airplanes for a contest. I thought the plot was cute but a little too al...more
47 months - I can appreciate the author's talent but I've just never really enjoyed his illustration style nor most of the stories... not exactly sure why. This one I spent a lot of time explaining to O what the different words meant... investigator, judge, prosecutor, alibi etc. These are not common things a 3 or 4 year old would know. I also had to explain all the thought bubbles. I actually don't mind any of these things as it's good vocabulary learning and it's always fun to have a discussio...more
Aug 04, 2011
An Abundance of Books
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
elementary-middle-grades-books,
picture-books
Featured at An Abundance of Books
Once upon a time in the forest things were not as they should be. Branches were disappearing , and everyone agreed, "branches should not disappear from trees like that." At first neighbors accused each other of making off with the branches, but they all had alibis. So they banded together to investigate. They assigned jobs, the dusted for prints, they looked in every nook and cranny. "But no matter how hard they investigated, no clues could be found." (Somehow th...more
Once upon a time in the forest things were not as they should be. Branches were disappearing , and everyone agreed, "branches should not disappear from trees like that." At first neighbors accused each other of making off with the branches, but they all had alibis. So they banded together to investigate. They assigned jobs, the dusted for prints, they looked in every nook and cranny. "But no matter how hard they investigated, no clues could be found." (Somehow th...more
This is definitely a departure for Oliver Jeffers as this is not a story about a boy but rather a woodland community who is trying to solve the mystery of disappearing trees.
I appreciate that he is trying to change it up and it is still very good, but I guess it lacked a little bit of the heart of his other books. There is considerable quirky characterization for some of the characters which was enjoyable and would likely fly over the heads of some children.
His visuals and creativity continue to...more
I appreciate that he is trying to change it up and it is still very good, but I guess it lacked a little bit of the heart of his other books. There is considerable quirky characterization for some of the characters which was enjoyable and would likely fly over the heads of some children.
His visuals and creativity continue to...more
While I appreciate the books messages of saving the environment and teamwork, I pulled this book when the children I was watching were building paper airplanes. While the book's plot is about a paper airplane competition, the kids stuggled to understand the pictures and the lack of text left me explining a lot. In addition, the cover "offers" some suggestions about building new models of paper airplanes and they were impossible to figure out. Needless to say it left the kids very disappointed.
I really enjoyed this! It's a mystery set in the woods, where someone has been stealing tree limbs. It must be sinister!
They hunt all over for the culprit, and there are some wonderful touches that cross over into another of Jeffer's books: Lost and Found.
Again, the artwork is masterfully minimalistic, yet with witty touches that I greatly appreciate.
(view spoiler)
They hunt all over for the culprit, and there are some wonderful touches that cross over into another of Jeffer's books: Lost and Found.
Again, the artwork is masterfully minimalistic, yet with witty touches that I greatly appreciate.
(view spoiler)
Clever book. I loved the illustrations, (the only reason I picked up the book to be honest.)The message is a little moralistic, but at least its environmental. Some of the gestures of the stick-footed-bulgy bodied animals made me laugh.
This story has a little something for the parents too which made me laugh.
I think I'll buy a few copies for my brand new nieces. Their parents can enjoy them until the girls are old enough to take over.
This story has a little something for the parents too which made me laugh.
I think I'll buy a few copies for my brand new nieces. Their parents can enjoy them until the girls are old enough to take over.
Las ilustraciones son geniales, fue una de las principales razones por las que lo compré. Yo creo que un niño lo va a disfrutar muchísimo. La historia es original también y para un niño pequeño debe ser increíble, alguien entre los siete u ocho años (o mucho mayor) posiblemente se aburra un poco, pero para alguien que comienza a leer o para esos niños que les encanta que les lean antes de dormir, es excelente.
A quirky detective story for the picture book set. When all the branches start disappearing from the forest, the animals launch an investigation. Who could be taking the branches? And what does this sneaky bear who is making so many paper airplanes have to do with everything.
There's a lot of small bits of detail in this one; I'm not sure it would be Jeffers best work for a readaloud.
There's a lot of small bits of detail in this one; I'm not sure it would be Jeffers best work for a readaloud.
May 22, 2010
Jess Brown
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bears,
animals,
childrens-lit,
early-elementary,
elementary,
picture-book,
environmentalism
In The Great Paper Caper, Bear gets carried away in the forest cutting down trees--all to make paper so that he can win the paper airplane contest. I think there's more to the story than simply knowing right from wrong, but something else about environmentalism, not taking more than one actually needs, and replanting and recycling. It was an ok book, but not the greatest ever.
A pretty fun book that follows a bunch of forest animals trying to do a simplified "CSI" investigation of who or what is removing the branches from their trees. Probably a difficult read (comprehension-wise) for very small kids, but you could probably also paraphrase the action and make use of the illustrations vs. relying entirely on the text for the younger kiddies...
Oliver Jeffers tells stories unlike any other artist I have yet to come across. What I noticed right away about his work is his unique ability to use space perspective and balance to create illustrations that are simple and highly appealing. This book is a great read-a-loud, evokes feelings of Canada and the north and has a wonderful team building message. Highly recommended!
1 like · like · see review
Subtly funny. I smiled at every page. Especially at the koala holding a "not me" sign while standing in the line up.
All of the animals have stilts for legs. Love it.
I want to liken this to Wes Anderson, but I don't know why. The colors? The humor? The design? Maybe all of the above.
All of the animals have stilts for legs. Love it.
I want to liken this to Wes Anderson, but I don't know why. The colors? The humor? The design? Maybe all of the above.
Mar 26, 2009
MissInformation
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picturebooks
Quiet little mystery of who is stealing trees from the forest. Paper airplanes lead to Bear, who confesses a desire to compete in an airplane competition. When he promises to replace the trees, the other forest creatures band together and help him with his dream.
Yet another children's book in the collection.
Cute and amusing.
Wonderful little simple pictures with an amusing tale attached.
"A thrilling tale of suspense, crime, alibis, paper planes, a forest and a bear who wanted to win it all".
Very impressed.
Cute and amusing.
Wonderful little simple pictures with an amusing tale attached.
"A thrilling tale of suspense, crime, alibis, paper planes, a forest and a bear who wanted to win it all".
Very impressed.
Oliver Jeffer’s quirky new picture book is a great book to share with children 4 – 7 years old. The story follows a bear that is stealing the trees from the local forest to make paper airplanes in an attempt to win a competition. The other animals become detectives in order to discover who is behind The Great Paper Caper. Lots of fun!
Oliver Jeffers always makes me laugh. Not so sure this book would work well with a group, but should be fun for one-on-one reading, particularly if the adult likes odd humor. Nothing better than a pig frying up some bacon, heh.
Someone has been chopping down trees and the residents of the forest are all pointing fingers. Whodunnit? Cute story, and the illustrations are wonderful, but I feel like I was wanting a little more of a concrete resolution to the book.
The art in this picture book is among the best I've seen in a while. Very unique yet very simple and effect. A mystery that kids will infer from and enjoy. While also teaching kids the importance of conserving the environment.
The third star is because I adore Oliver Jeffers' illustrations, and these have great potential for engaging a child in discussion. However, the writing fell short for me, it just didn't feel up to his usual standards.
I really liked this odd, funny little book. The illustrations are unusual and very engaging. The story itself is also a bit of a mystery, but with an interesting twist. The koala bear is my favorite.
Another quirky little story from Oliver Jeffers. His usual style of pictures compliments a tale of creatures who live in a forest which is being destroyed by a bear with a passion for paper aeroplanes!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Oliver Jeffers makes art.
From figurative painting and installation to illustration and picture-book making, his work has been exhibited in New York, Dublin, London, Sydney, Washington DC, Belfast and elsewhere.
A co-founder of the art collective OAR, their exhibitions include 9 days in Belfast, book and the award winning BUILDING.
Illustration clients include Orange UK, Lavazza, Sony PSP, RCA Recor...more
More about Oliver Jeffers...
From figurative painting and installation to illustration and picture-book making, his work has been exhibited in New York, Dublin, London, Sydney, Washington DC, Belfast and elsewhere.
A co-founder of the art collective OAR, their exhibitions include 9 days in Belfast, book and the award winning BUILDING.
Illustration clients include Orange UK, Lavazza, Sony PSP, RCA Recor...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Jan 04, 2009 05:07pm
Jan 04, 2009 06:30pm
I did though think that the bear had won - in the caravan at the...more
May 24, 2012 11:57pm