Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon-Pie Adventure

by Tony DiTerlizzi

Jimmy Zangwow loves his Moon Pies. His mom holds the key to the Moon Pie stash, though -- and she says no treats before dinner! If only Jimmy could fly to the moon to get his own Moon Pies...
How far would you go to get your favorite snack?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Space, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating children’s books for twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Broken Ornament and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold over 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and translated in over thirty countries. He teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy as a picture book and his collaboration with celebrated author Mo Willems created the bestseller The Story of Diva & Flea. The Norman Rockwell museum’s retrospective, “Never Abandon Imagination”, featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, CNN, PBS, NPR the BBC and The Today Show.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jimmy asks his mother for a Moon Pie, and she tells him he will have to wait until after dinner, the young boy wishes that his homemade jalopy could take him to the moon, where he can get his favorite treat in person. To his great surprise, his jalopy comes to life and whisks him off on an outer-space adventure, first to the moon, where he collects his Moon Pies, and then to the Milky Way, where he gets the milk he needs to go with the pies. When confronted by the terrifying Grimble Grinder, Jimmy flees, crash-landing on Mars. Will he share his Moon Pies with the Mars Men he meets? What will happen when the Grimble Grinder finds him...?

Presenting an imaginative journey in which a young boy gets to hobnob with the Man in the Moon, a group of nine hundred and ninety-nine Mars Men, and a misunderstood interstellar monster, Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon-Pie Adventure is an absolute hoot to read! The colorful artwork is every bit as engaging as the text, highlighting both the humor and the magical fun of Jimmy's adventure. I don't know if it was the theme, but the illustrations here reminded me a bit of some of William Joyce's work, such as that in his The Man in the Moon . I'm more used to the illustrations Tony DiTerlizzi has done for longer works of fiction, such as The Spiderwick Chronicles , so it was good to see some of his larger painted work. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining and fantastic outer-space picture-book adventures.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is one that I read repeatedly to my son when he was between the ages of four and seven. Each of the characters are well created and it was easy to read it aloud and assign voices to each one because they are so distinct. In some ways you might compare this to Where the Wild Things Are, as a boy leaves his home for adventure but discovers that ultimately, home is his ultimate chosen destination. The pictures are marvelous, the plot is sweet, the character interaction is believable and kind. There is dramatic tension without calling on absolute fear. Very appropriate for little children, but also interesting for older kids who might still enjoy imagining what the man in the moon, the Milky Way, Mars men and others might be like.

[Natalie Cottam · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just love a very out-of-this world, crazy-imaginative story! this is a cute one.

[Laura DeGrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy's mother was in the process of cooking dinner.
Like all hungry young ones, he wanted his favorite treat-- Moon Pie and milk.
His mother wouldn't hear of such a plea and sent him outside to play.
The poor boy sure did wish he could get his own Moon Pies.
Jimmy's adventure began, when his handmade jalopy came to life.
He traveled to the great pie maker in the sky, the Moon for his own supply.
There after, he visited the Milky Way to wash it all down.
Uh-oh!
A loud space creature knocked him toward Mars in a crash landing.
How would he get back home in time for dinner?
Did the Mars Men help Jimmy?
And what was that loud space creature?
An incredible tale you wouldn't be able to resist.
Vivid imagery on paper done with words and art.
One talented visionary found in Tony DiTerlizzi.

[Hugo Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this picture book by Tony DiTerlizzi, we meet Jimmy Zangwow who loves moon pie, but his mom does not allow him to have desert before dinner, so she sends him outside to play. Jimmy gets in his rocket and ask the moon for moon pies, which he gives him 1000. He then goes to get milk , but there is a hungry monster that makes him crash on Mars. He shares his moon pies with the martians, but the hungry muster comes! What will Jimmy Zangwow do? and will he make it back home for dinner?

[Kat Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

One cannot deny DiTerlizzi's artistic talents, his grandiose illustrations (which pack a wallop of nostalgia) tell a comprehensive story all of their own about one boy's creative quest for his favorite snack, the marshmallowy goodness of a Moon Pie. For me, the narrative is a bit tepid and lacks the galactic thrill and suspense that it could hold. But a sugary sweet story nonetheless.

[Mely · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun adventure story! Love the vintage Americana appeal the cover art offers however, this story offers an imaginative story set in outer space. Jimmy has quite the imagination and I couldn't help but laugh a little at the silly shenanigans that he comes across. I think this is a great story for any child.

[Audrey Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade Level: K-3rd | Genre: Modern Fantasy
This story is most certainly out of this world. I think one of my favorite parts about this book is how it feels straight out of the 50s or 60s with the vocabulary and illustrations. At times the story can feel slow or repetitive, but overall this is a fun book.

[Heather Bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been reading this book every night at bedtime for several months now. My daughter asks for this book every night. She loves it. She knows all the words and “reads” with me. Awesome awesome book!

[Rayjan Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute adventure for kids, and who doesn't love a Moon Pie once in a while for a snack- or dessert! ❤

A book that is very entertaining for young kids, an an adult or 2 may even get a kick out of this remembering their own childhood adventures. 😉

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite of my kids’ when they were little, and now a favorite of the five year old’s too. A little boy builds a rocket and flies to the moon to gather moon pies and then winds up on Mars before coming home, just in time for dinner. A rollicking fun adventure with some good teamwork.

[Teodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reminds me of a humongous entertainment game. Like the zoombinies meat Put-Put saves the moon.

I wish it had more things happening though, it feels like a worse version of “Fortunately, the milk” by Neil Gaiman

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lush illustration, and a really zany story. Would be fun to read aloud.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the art! That was my main draw to wanting to read this, and really the only reason I enjoyed it so much.

[Peter Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite reads from my time as a Youth Services Librarian.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, Norman Rockwell-esque style. An awesome story with fun and fantastic characters.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I just love this book such nice story Jimmy is quite a imagination, what an amazing illustrations they are so spell bounding that holds you captivate for a long time. I will definitely recommend it even though it's children's book but it can entertain every age group. Kudos to the work.

[N_Allie l · Rating 1 out of 5]

When a book starts with the phrase, "never abandon imagination" it instantly captures my attention. It's too bad in this case because that saying was the best part of the whole book. While the watercolor, gouache and colored pencil illustrations are enthralling , the text itself leaves something to the imagination.

Written and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi (yes, the same author of The Spider Wick Chronicles), this fantastical tale is surprisingly all about Moon Pies. The story starts out simply enough, with Jimmy Zangwow, the main character, asking his mother for a Moon Pie before dinner. His mother says, "no" and the story begins.

Jimmy, angered that his mother will not allow him his Moon Pie, gets in his homemade jalopy and flies to the moon. When Jimmy gets there he asks the moon to give him some Moon Pies. The moon makes some jokes (which only older readers would understand) and then gives Jimmy 1,000 Moon Pies. Jimmy, deciding he needs some milk to go with his desserts, flies to The Milky Way. Jimmy continues to fly through various parts of space and he continues to meet various alien creatures along his way.

When Jimmy realizes he is going to be late for dinner and his jalopy got smashed up along the way, he begins to panic. How will he get home? Luckily, the aliens and creatures Jimmy met along the way become his friends and help Jimmy create a hot air balloon out of Moon Pie wrappers. Jimmy gets in his hot air balloon and makes it home just in time for dinner.

While there are some humorous parts in the story, especially if you are using this story for 4th grade and up, the bulk of this story I found to be rather boring and too wordy. Perhaps I am jaded because I simply don't "get" this genre; but I know a good book when I see one; unfortunately this is not one of them.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for a Mystery Reader to share with a K-2nd grade classroom. Important that you bring a box of Moon Pies to share with the class.

Amazon.com Review

Jimmy Zangwow is bound and determined to get his hands on his favorite snack: Moon Pies and milk. After his mother refuses his pre-dinner request, Jimmy stomps off to sulk aboard his secret project, a flying junk jumbilee jalopy. "Holy macaroni!" The next thing he knows he's hurtling off to space, toward the moon... and "Mmm! Moon Pies." A hilariously digressive dialogue with sleepy, hard-of-hearing Mr. Moon results in Jimmy scoring a thousand Moon Pies. But our hungry hero's troubles are not over yet. Run-ins with Mars Men and the dreaded Grimble Grinder are yet in store. And then there's the issue of how to get back to Earth and his brussels-sprout-noodle-bean casserole dinner.
Tony DiTerlizzi paints like a very, very twisted Norman Rockwell. His freckle-faced Jimmy Zangwow, clad in denim shorts, airplane goggles, and red cowboy boots, appeals to every adventurer, big or small, humanoid or alien. This zany escapade proves that with powerful motivation (and what could be a stronger incentive than the promise of Moon Pies?), a generous heart, and a resourceful mind, anything is possible. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

[(NS)Jennifer Reiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Zangwow loves Moon Pies and milk but his mother will not let him have one before dinner. Jimmy is upset, and stomps off. He goes to his secret project-a flying junk jumbilee jalopy. Jimmy is wishing that he could have more moon pies and the next thing he knows the machine starts to rattle and he is taking off toward the sky! He lands at the moon and is given a thousand Moon Pies. Jimmy then has a run in with the Grimble Grinder and saves the day by giving him his last moon time. Jimmy is worried about missing dinner and transports back to Earth with the help of his new friends. He even arrives in time for dinner! This book is full of adventure, humor, and motivation.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found myself intrigued with the illustrations in the story. It was so great to see the adventures that Jimmy took in order to get more moon pies. I could see my students really liking this story as well. I think that it's important to show students that anything is possible and that is a message that this story has.

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Jimmy Zangwow wanted was some milk and a Moon Pie, but his mother said no, it would ruin his dinner. So Jimmy went outside to sit in his secret project and suddenly it began to fly into outer space! Jimmy adventures took him to the Moon, to the Milky Way, and to Mars where he met the Mars Men and the grumbling, rumbling, Grimble Grinder. Does Jimmy get to eat a Moon Pie? And, more importantly, will he make it home for dinner?

DiTerlizzi’s painterly illustrations are reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting, if Rockwell had ever painted a red haired boy in cowboy boots talking with aliens. The book is fast paced; no sooner does Jimmy figure out one solution than the next obstacle presents itself. The text races along as well, with nonsense words mixed in with real words, “this junk jumbilee jalopy will never fly…”

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Camille Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! This book is about a boy whose only desire is to eat a moon pie. After asking for a moon pie from him mom and being told to wait until after dinner, Jimmy goes on a grand adventure to the moon, Mars, and back to earth and experiences many difficulties and strange creatures. The illustrations for this book are simply beautiful. Because the illustrations are full of detail and movement, the book appeals to both boys and girls. A wide color pallet is used that draws the reader to the main action being described while including many creative details that tie in the child-like imagination of it all. This book could be used to teach many morals to children, such as sharing, patience, overcoming fears, and more. I like to think the overall theme of the book is the importance of imagination.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Zangwow is hungry for some Moon Pies. If only his new invention would work. It does! Oh boy, Jimmy is off to the moon to get himself some Moon Pies. Of course, he can't have Moon Pies without milk, so he stops by the Milky Way to net some milk jugs but accidentally disturbs the dreaded Grimble Grinder whose grumbles knock Jimmy and his jalopy, Moon Pies, and milk down to Mars. Jimmy befriends the Martians by sharing his beloved Moon Pies. But the Grimble Grinder is still on his tail. Can Jimmy save himself and the Martians from the horrible monster?

An imaginative adventure that celebrates the joys of moon pies and sharing, even your most treasured snack. DiTerlizzi's imagination extends to the illustrations as well as the pictures. Now I need to go find myself a tasty moon pie snack.

[Graywaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of this book will probably delight children who are constantly making up fanciful tales that jump from one thing to the next, or those who love outer space. However, it left me somewhat disappointed, despite its occasional clever idea. It lacked a bit of substance and development. It was quite prettily illustrated though with colorful landscapes on full bleed pages. The moon character was my favorite with his star bedecked hat and red nose. It got that third star for the illustrations alone. Overall its a pretty but lacking read.

[liz r · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Joey just got it for x-mas and it is a great kids book. Any book that has a character who says, "holy macaroni" and "jumping june bugs" is a friend of mine. Joey laughs a lot at the part where Jimmy flies to the moon to ask him for some moon pies and the moon doesn't understand what he is saying. "Fruit Flies?" asks the moon... "No... MOON PIES!" replies Jimmy....very funny.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very whimsical story that had me smiling on more then one occasion. Tony DiTerlizzi always adds little details to his illustrations that make it so much brighter, more real, and I just love his characters. A crazy adventure staring Moon-Pies, Aliens, and cowboy boots, check it out.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sci-Fi

The kids also loved this one. I had a student who loved the name Jimmy Zangwow and he keeps mentioning him in his writing, even now when I am back-dating this review in November. This is a cute tale of a search for a favorite dessert. And it is extra fun for me now that I have been to the Moon-pie factory. This was recommended by a colleague of mine who would send it to her nieces and nephews with a case of Moon-pies!

[Kiah Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great read! It was so imaginative with vivid pictures. I would use this book to spark creativity and story telling with young children. After reading the story we would have a discussion about some places that they would like to go, then the children would draw pictures of themselves on their adventure.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read and good to develop a BIG imagination.
It is cool to see Tony DiTerlizzi's books and illustrations in addition to the The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Lexile Measure: 320

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on an adventure with Jimmy. There are fun invented words and great illustrations. This would be interesting to read while children are drawing and then to show the illustrations. That would also help with comprehension.