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Stinky Cecil #2
Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror
Stinky Cecil is back in a hilarious new adventure!
Cecil and his amphibian pals are taking a well-deserved break after saving their pond from freeway construction when a third-grade science class shows up for a field trip. The kids nab Cecil for their classroom terrarium!
At first Cecil is terrified, but he quickly gets used to being a class pet. That is, until Nesbit the chameleon shows up. Nesbit wants to be just like Cecil, so he matches his colors and follows him all around the terrarium. He’s driving Cecil crazy!
Meanwhile, Cecil’s pals back at the pond are planning a rescue mission using Jeff the hamster’s radio controlled helicopter. But what will they do about Nesbit?
Join the whole pond gang for this second delightful environmental romp.
Cecil and his amphibian pals are taking a well-deserved break after saving their pond from freeway construction when a third-grade science class shows up for a field trip. The kids nab Cecil for their classroom terrarium!
At first Cecil is terrified, but he quickly gets used to being a class pet. That is, until Nesbit the chameleon shows up. Nesbit wants to be just like Cecil, so he matches his colors and follows him all around the terrarium. He’s driving Cecil crazy!
Meanwhile, Cecil’s pals back at the pond are planning a rescue mission using Jeff the hamster’s radio controlled helicopter. But what will they do about Nesbit?
Join the whole pond gang for this second delightful environmental romp.
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
About the author
Paige Braddock
82 books57 followersPaige Braddock is an Eisner-nominated artist and writer and the Chief Creative Officer at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates. She won a Children's & Family Emmy Award for her work on the Apple documentary, "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?" which won for outstanding nonfiction program.
Braddock has illustrated several Peanuts children’s books. Her other graphic novels for children include the series, Stinky Cecil with Andrews McMeel and Peanut, Butter, & Crackers with Penguin Kids. The third installment in the Peanut, Butter, & Crackers series, ON THE TRAIL, is out now.
She lives with her wife Evelyn and their two dogs and a cat in Sebastopol, California.
Braddock has illustrated several Peanuts children’s books. Her other graphic novels for children include the series, Stinky Cecil with Andrews McMeel and Peanut, Butter, & Crackers with Penguin Kids. The third installment in the Peanut, Butter, & Crackers series, ON THE TRAIL, is out now.
She lives with her wife Evelyn and their two dogs and a cat in Sebastopol, California.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 11, 2016
The adventures of Stinky Cecil continue in 'Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror' by Paige Braddock. The cast of silly animals are back along with some new friends.
This time around, the pond is safe, but Cecil is not. He gets taken by a couple children on a field trip and winds up in a terrarium in their classroom. A rescue attempt by Cecil's friends Jeremy, Ray Ray and Jeff. Reggie would help, but he died again (he's always doing that). Meanwhile, Cecil is making friends in his new living space with a chameleon named Nesbit. Will he get rescued or will Nesbit drive him crazy?
It's the perfect graphic novel for young readers. It's got bright colors, funny characters and a pretty good story. There are some running jokes that are pretty good and some cute surprises along the way. Poor Reggie even manages to come back in at some point. I liked this one about as much as the first volume. It's a fun series, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for future volumes.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
This time around, the pond is safe, but Cecil is not. He gets taken by a couple children on a field trip and winds up in a terrarium in their classroom. A rescue attempt by Cecil's friends Jeremy, Ray Ray and Jeff. Reggie would help, but he died again (he's always doing that). Meanwhile, Cecil is making friends in his new living space with a chameleon named Nesbit. Will he get rescued or will Nesbit drive him crazy?
It's the perfect graphic novel for young readers. It's got bright colors, funny characters and a pretty good story. There are some running jokes that are pretty good and some cute surprises along the way. Poor Reggie even manages to come back in at some point. I liked this one about as much as the first volume. It's a fun series, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for future volumes.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
March 9, 2018
Far funnier then a book like this has any right to be. I liked how the people in the book resembled both Braddock's other work and a little of Charles Shultz's. Plus I'm sure Amelia is a tribute to Amelia from Amelia Rules.
February 17, 2017
Just like the first graphic novel about Stinky Cecil, this one is funny and informative. I cannot wait to see what the kids at my library think of it. Fun reading!
August 27, 2017
I loved the hamster, Jeff! This one was just as good as the first Stinky Cecil book! - Chloe, age 7
April 27, 2018
Fun to read.
June 28, 2018
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 10, 2021
This book was really funny and I love it
August 10, 2016
Stinky Cecil is just hanging out at his pond with his friends when a group of small humans invades and snatches him up. They take him to school and Cecil finds himself in a brand new situation. One that doesn't turn out all that bad. He has adoring fans, he gets regular meals, there's no hawks trying to eat him, if only one of his terrarium roommates wasn't an over-talkative chameleon, this just might be paradise. Of course, Cecil's friends don't realize that he's landed in such a cushy situation. They fear the worst for him and are mounting a rescue.
I enjoyed this one better than the first Stinky Cecil. For one thing, I've always thought it strange that no one has had an animal excited about being put in a situation where they are predator free, have the perfect amount/kind of companionship and are guaranteed a next meal. Zoo and terrarium life can be a lot less stressful for animals than life in the wild, but everyone has the animals bent on freedom. So I liked how this book provided a balanced view of this. Cecil likes the terrarium life. He's got everything he wants. But he has this philosophical talk with a garter snake who also lives in the terrarium about freedom. The garter snake wields Voltaire, the frog quotes song lyrics from the Doors. And bam, both sides of the issue are addressed. Perhaps animals are as varied in their views of "caged" life as humans are in tiny living versus wide open spaces? Hmm, could be a good debate for kids. Now don't let me deceive you into thinking this book is all philosophical and deep. It isn't. It's mostly a comedy of errors and timing with tiny touches of greater depth. In other words, it's mostly just a fun animal adventure graphic novel for lower grades that will get them excited about reading.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. One girl tells a boy in her class to stop something and she gives him five reasons (a al Lucy in Peanuts). Another kid tells her violence isn't the answer and she claims she scared the pants off the boy (literally, she picks up a pair of pants when saying this) by using math. No other violence.
I enjoyed this one better than the first Stinky Cecil. For one thing, I've always thought it strange that no one has had an animal excited about being put in a situation where they are predator free, have the perfect amount/kind of companionship and are guaranteed a next meal. Zoo and terrarium life can be a lot less stressful for animals than life in the wild, but everyone has the animals bent on freedom. So I liked how this book provided a balanced view of this. Cecil likes the terrarium life. He's got everything he wants. But he has this philosophical talk with a garter snake who also lives in the terrarium about freedom. The garter snake wields Voltaire, the frog quotes song lyrics from the Doors. And bam, both sides of the issue are addressed. Perhaps animals are as varied in their views of "caged" life as humans are in tiny living versus wide open spaces? Hmm, could be a good debate for kids. Now don't let me deceive you into thinking this book is all philosophical and deep. It isn't. It's mostly a comedy of errors and timing with tiny touches of greater depth. In other words, it's mostly just a fun animal adventure graphic novel for lower grades that will get them excited about reading.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. One girl tells a boy in her class to stop something and she gives him five reasons (a al Lucy in Peanuts). Another kid tells her violence isn't the answer and she claims she scared the pants off the boy (literally, she picks up a pair of pants when saying this) by using math. No other violence.
January 8, 2016
Cecil has a relaxed life at the pond, where his worst problem is hawk blocking the sun when he is trying to take a nap. This change the day a group of school children arrive to a field trip to the pond. They find Cecil and take him to their terrarium at school. Any other creature would have been terrified, but lazy Cecil quickly learned the benefits of the terrarium, being the most remarkable being fed. Nesbit the chameleon, his "roommate", is a different story. He can be really annoying.
At the pond, Cecil's friends start planning a grand rescue. But they are not the only ones who want Cecil back at the pond.
Funny story with adorable characters. And a graphic novel for middle grade children is always welcome!
At the end of the book you'll find a chapter with fun facts about the chameleon and the garter snake (the other roommate at the terrarium), plus a guide to make your own terrarium.
Age range: 8 and up.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
At the pond, Cecil's friends start planning a grand rescue. But they are not the only ones who want Cecil back at the pond.
Funny story with adorable characters. And a graphic novel for middle grade children is always welcome!
At the end of the book you'll find a chapter with fun facts about the chameleon and the garter snake (the other roommate at the terrarium), plus a guide to make your own terrarium.
Age range: 8 and up.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
December 15, 2015
Cecil the toad is back for another adventure. When a group of students visit the pond, one of them catches Cecil and the teacher allows him to bring him back to put in the terrarium. Cecil is scared at first but when he finds out that he is safe from predators and that he gets fed regularly he is quite content, until he meets Nesbit the chameleon. He is annoying and never stops talking. There is also a garter snake that stays in the fake log. When Cecil's pond friends find out he has been kidnapped they head off to rescue him. A delightful adventure written in graphic novel form with wonderful illustrations. The back of the book is full of information about the animals in the terrarium as well as how to build your own. The story also touches on the environment and how it is being ruined (plastic water bottles, humans). A good story that would be enjoyed by both young children and middle graders.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2016
In the second Stinky Cecil book, Cecil is taken by a class visiting his pond on a field trip. From lazing around the pond, enjoying the mud, Cecil finds himself in a terrarium with a loquacious chameleon and a shy garter snake. It is very silly and might bring some laughs to your students. The story line is a little more complicated than some "early read" graphic novels with the "back at the ranch" literary technique; the story bounces back-and-forth between the pond animals and the students.
The storyline is some ways reminds me of the Mercy Watson early readers. However, the font style, all caps, and some of the sentence structures, might make this book a higher reading level. It is a good bridge from early reader graphic novels to more advanced materials. Yet, there are not a lot of words on the page.
The colors, the humor of the story, and the clean look of the pages not cluttered with lots of words should make this book a crowd pleaser with the elementary school set.
The storyline is some ways reminds me of the Mercy Watson early readers. However, the font style, all caps, and some of the sentence structures, might make this book a higher reading level. It is a good bridge from early reader graphic novels to more advanced materials. Yet, there are not a lot of words on the page.
The colors, the humor of the story, and the clean look of the pages not cluttered with lots of words should make this book a crowd pleaser with the elementary school set.
April 2, 2016
A toad who’s the leader of his little pond gang gets captured by a school group and placed in a schoolroom terrarium. Though his new friends are a bit annoying, he comes to enjoy himself just in time to be rescued. A children’s book with a little bit of an edge, for a children’s book, anyway. Cecil the toad is so delightfully snarky, and of course stinky when he needs to be.
There’s a harsh reminder—probably sad for the first time—of a fly’s five-day lifespan, but his heart will live on. . . I mean his soul. A gerbil-piloted helicopter is indeed faster than a turtle; everyone gets their own cute little headsets. And for a smart toad, Cecil can’t even handle an apple.
The artwork is fine, and there’s an educational appendix. Fun for adults as well as children.
There’s a harsh reminder—probably sad for the first time—of a fly’s five-day lifespan, but his heart will live on. . . I mean his soul. A gerbil-piloted helicopter is indeed faster than a turtle; everyone gets their own cute little headsets. And for a smart toad, Cecil can’t even handle an apple.
The artwork is fine, and there’s an educational appendix. Fun for adults as well as children.
January 26, 2017
A child on a field trip snaps up Cecil the toad and brings him back to live in the classroom terrarium. Cecil's animal friends embark on a mission to save their friend...with the help of a hamster named Jeff who knows how to fly a remote-control helicopter. Meanwhile Cecil luxuriates in the terrarium, with guaranteed meals that drop from the sky, even though his roommate chameleon is super-annoyingly talkative. The silliness zings non-stop: when the friends look for Reggie the fly to join their quest, he's legs-up dead on the ground, to which Jeremy the worm responds "Curse that five-day life span." The kids won't get all the jokes (there's an exchange about Voltaire and Jim Morrison) but the adventure never wanes.
January 31, 2016
After being interrupted from attempting to take a nap, Cecil is taken by a few kids that are out with the Science teacher. They put him in the classroom terrarium where he finds a new friend that drives him crazy. Back at the pond, his friends are concerned and put together a rescue mission to save Cecil. This book is great for the kids who like the graphic novel style stories. The illustrations are funny. The closing of the book has educational information and instructions on how to make your own terrarium. Great for boys but the girls will like it too!
Reviewed through NetGalley for an honest review.
Reviewed through NetGalley for an honest review.
December 21, 2016
Easier (shorter dialog boxes, crisp & clean layout), longer graphic novel with simple, familiar plot lines for those new to reading GN. Some good kid jokes, a few adults might only get as well. Info on some of the animals in the back matter and some rough draft character sketches as well. Wish my book vendor had it in hardcover, not just paperback.
December 9, 2015
This was a really fun read with some excellent images to illustrate the story and keep little ones entertained. I loved the characters and how they interacted, a really good read with some brilliant facts thrown in too!
October 15, 2016
Oh, man, this is just as good as the first one. The humor is light and sassy and I love how each of the characters have such unique voices and personalities. I hope this series is successful and can't wait for the next one!
April 9, 2016
This series is so cute and funny. It also slips in some science facts.
July 29, 2016
Fun story about Cecil the toad being taken from his home and taken to a classroom to live.
His buddies decide to rescue him
His buddies decide to rescue him
September 30, 2016
Text to world: environment
September 2, 2021
Pretty highbrow and smarmy considering how youth-friendly the art is, but nonetheless fun. Never thought I'd see a garter snake quote Voltaire in a kids book
April 26, 2017
Adorable, funny, and brightly colored pictures of a pond full of animals and their antics. I like the environmental messages (plastic water bottles are bad for our environment), as well as the More to Explore Nature section in the back which provided more info on some of the animals in the story.
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July 2, 20177 year old boy rates this 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews