Giorgio and His Star Crane Train

Mini Bugs Book

by Jessica Spanyol

Watch out! MiniBugs about! This book is one in a series of energetic, noisy tales about the MiniBugs' crash-bang vehicle antics.

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2008

About the author

Jessica Spanyol wrote and illustrated her first story, "Carlo the Giraffe Who Could Not Read," when she was a precocious six and a half years old. As she grew older, her literary ambitions gave way to artistic ones, and she began a career as a fine artist. But the adult Jessica Spanyol, it turned out, could not shake the memory of Carlo the giraffe. So thirty years after its writing, she determined to rework her original story.

As a result, Jessica Spanyol's CARLO LIKES READING retains a delightfully childlike sensibility, with minor alterations and eye-catching artwork added by author thirty years later. "The character Carlo," explains the author, "was based on a blow-up toy giraffe, and the name, 'Carlo,' my brother's best friend." Even Crackers, Carlo's cat, can be traced back to the Spanyol family pet. In CARLO LIKES READING, Carlo the giraffe reads everything he sees. And because his world is covered in labels, there's always a lot of reading to do--Carlo reads labels on the street, in the park, at the market, and even on his dad! "There's plenty here to inspire pointing and identifying action on the part of emerging readers," assures PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, while KIRKUS REVIEWS notes that "this debut is bright, well-conceived, and infectiously enthusiastic."


Carlo (and his creator) made such a splash that readers and reviewers clamored for more -- and Carlo has since starred in CARLO LIKES COUNTING, CARLO LIKES COLORS, and CARLO AND THE REALLY NICE LIBRARIAN. Recently, Jessica Spanyol introduced her readers to a new cast of characters in the picture book, GO BUGS GO!


Jessica Spanyol studied at the Bath Academy of Art, Brighton Polytechnic, and the Royal College of Art. Since then, in addition to writing the Carlo series, she has worked as a theater set designer, a fine artist, and a tutor of illustration, winning the Folio Society Illustration Award and the Painter-Stainers Award. She lives in England with her family.

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is great fun - lots of action in the illustrations and text - perfect for little kids who play with their vehicles. "Faster, Giorgio, Faster!" the bugs shout as Giorgio drives the star crane. Then, "Crash and Splash! Whee! Look at me!"
It just speaks to little kids playing with their Legos and dump trucks.
"Trucks Away: Giorgio loves this game. He has attached his strong hook to the Triplets' Knicks-and-Knacks Truck. Now he is winching them up to the the top of the hill. 'OK, everyone, are you ready? Are you set?' 'Trucks away!'" (and everything goes flying) "Excellent game, Giorgio!" says one little bug.

A perfect book to feed the imagination in a little 3 year old or 4 year old - or even 44 year old!

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one because it had a lot of onomatopoeia and there are even a couple of songs thrown in, which my 14-month old son likes. Though, there is a lot of text on each page and it can be a bit overwhelming to know what to read when. Not to mention, my son doesn't have the attention span for it. I think he would like this one a lot more when he's old enough to understand the text. I would be interested in checking out the other 3 in the series.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can also find a review here:
http://tenuinanoa.blogspot.com/2012/1...


My toddler and I do not agree. I do NOT like this book but he loved it. I had to read it three times as we sat in the library. My compromise was NOT to check it out of the library.
But it has the words "Crash and Splash" repeated throughout the short story and a big crane. What is a 3-year old to do but to LOVE IT?

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and silly.