P.J. Funnybunnys Bag of Tricks by Sadler, Marilyn [Random,2004]

P.J. Funnybunny #11

by Marilyn Sadler

P.J. Funnybunnys Bag of Tricks by Sadler, Marilyn. Published by Random,2004, Paperback

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

With a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.

Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.

Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.

Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.

In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.

Reviews

[Slayermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.J. Funnybunny is learning how to do magic tricks, and he puts on little shows for his family.
After a while though everyone seems to busy to want to watch him do tricks anymore, so he pulls off the best trick of all.

Cute beginning readers story. My daughter enjoyed it and was especially thrilled about the instructions for the disappearing coin magic trick at the back of the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Just okay. My son didn't like this one too much.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: bunny fans; readers wanting a book with magic and nonsense.

Possible red flags: feeling unwanted.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story within the story is a bit scary if you think about it.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. J. is a bunny who is always in trouble because of his actions. In this book, he gets in over his head. The problem this time is that magic has become a hobby at which he is not very good. The laughs begin there.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "Step InTo Reading" book, and my son loves reading it aloud to me. It has a cute story about a son's interactions with his family after they've seen his new "tricks".

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A staple of bedtime stories in my home!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to read book and there is a magic trick to try at the end.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids were mesmerized by this book. It was too cute and totally perfect for giggles and laughs.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. J. Funnybunny’s dad brings home a special present: a magic kit! P.J. studies all the tricks and does them just right. So why are his family and friends bored with his tricks? P.J. decides to show them the best trick of all . . . by disappearing!