New Tricks I Can Do!

Spot

by Robert Lopshire

Illustrated in full color. Thirty-seven years after creating the breakthrough reader Put Me in the Zoo ,  Robert Lopshire has brought Spot back. This time, Spot must perform new and exciting tricks in order to convince the circus folks to keep him on. He changes colors, he breaks out in plaid and argyle, and even does his best Jackson Pollock imitation. The result? Old Spot might just be too good for the circus!  

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Kids, Fiction, Poetry

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 1996

About the author

Robert Lopshire wrote and illustrated the Beginner Books Put Me in the Zoo, I Want to Be Somebody New!, and New Tracks I Can Do! He died in 2002.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo has a handle on this book, which showcases Robert Lopshire, writing in the Seussian style. Spot has come to see that his circus days are done. He is sure that his tricks with spots have been seen by all who attend and he will soon be asked to leave. However, as he shows the two young children who serve as narrators, Spot has much more he can do. From chasing colours to patterns and even some zany mixtures in between, Spot is sure to dazzle anyone who watches. So, with that in mind, ought he rush to the circus again to show off these new tricks? Read the book to find out. Neo did well recounting these rhymes to me, in the hopes that he would be able to read effectively and find the pace he needed to make sense of it all. He tackled words large and small, in this book perfect for the newer reader. We continue Seuss-themed books and Neo is ready to keep up the good work!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Children's Fiction
Grades: K-1

Personally, I thought this book was very long-winded. There was a lot of information crammed in one book. However, this would be a good book to show rhyming words and word families.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this unlocked so many happy memories for me. An absolute favorite from my childhood and still very enjoyable now. I loved all the vibrant colors and patterns. Robert Lopshire made some fantastic books.

[Mackenzie Putvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great squeal to Put Me in the Zoo

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love Dr. Seuss. Once a classic, always a classic.

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great teaching tool! We used this to work on our patterns unit in math.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Purchased 2016, read to herself first time today. Rating A’s - she didn’t like it. Rating changed over the course of a couple days.

[Hayley Shaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It reminds me of the inestimable Dr. Seuss. Kids will really love the bright colors and simple story line.

[J.R. LaMar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book but a bit too similar to its predecessors.

[Holly Towns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book more than the original Spot book called Put Me in the Zoo. This books shows much better designs and he ended up in a better place as a t.v. Star.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fine, but a bit boring.

[Manjiri Tapaswi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for a beginner toddler!

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn colors and shapes with. The children love calling the colors and shapes out on the pages. But more than that it's a great book that shows that there isn't just one game in town. Spot is sad that the circus doesn't want him anymore. So all he thinks about is what he can do to get back to it. While his friends point out that there's a different place his talents would be better served. For those times that we get rejected it's a good book to read that reminds us that there are plenty of other games in town.

* Talking Points: Spot can do a lot of tricks. What talents do you have? Spot feels bad that the circus doesn't want him. Tell about some times of rejection in your life. Spot has friends who love him and who help him see his other options. Who do you have that supports your dreams and helps you see the options you have?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: In times of rejection it can be a real blow to our self-esteem. At times like those diffusing doTERRA's bergamot essential oil can really help. It's the oil of self-love and it can remind us to love ourselves and be happy with ourselves for just who we are.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are always looking for good books for beginning readers. We've gone through most of the stacks at our local library and get frustrated at the lack of selection. So when we came across a bunch of easy readers in the book swap, I was thrilled. We'll read them and give them right back. This one was a decent read and our girls took turns reading it aloud. The rhyming narrative and colorful illustrations were good to encourage beginning readers.

[Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one. It taught not only colors, but patterns as well. It was also a bit more difficult of a read than its predecessor "Put Me In The Zoo" for those whose children are reading it themselves.

[Jason Chiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book to my little one many many times. It is an entertaining book with an explosion of colors and patterns. Also the story is quite good too. One of my favorite Dr. Seuss-ey type books!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the original but a cute story none-the-less that reinforces colors and introduces patterns to little ones.

A good beginner reader to help encourage young children to read.

[Cool · Rating 5 out of 5]

DMW read to JEB

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. I liked the part where he could change colors. He could change my favorite colors, red, blue, green, purple, and brown.

No that's it.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read/bought the first one you can skip this one.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

these were great books to .memorize and read to the kids

[Tori]

2009- Pre-K set loves this book!

[Joey Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the story showed children that even after rejections, they can still do well like the character Spot. Good for rhyming and creative writing.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite as engaging as the first...

[Starr Elementary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spot is always fun! This is great practice for little one's colors and shapes.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I like most about this book is how colorful it is. It's filled with so many patterns and color coordinations. The story to me seemed to drag out but it was cute.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great kids book! It rhymes and teaches them some patterns. Pretty easy read for kids.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to Put Me in the Zoo. More of the same, but fun for kids and perfect for a kid working on reading fluency skills.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun book with "Spot" returning. The circus no longer wants him because he's done the same tricks over and over. But when he shows the children his 'new' tricks they want him to be part of TV!