Problems with a Python

by Jeremy Strong, S. Anderson

This book is suitable for reluctant readers of 8-13 with a reading age of below eight years. It is printed on cream paper, which is proven to be more restful on the eye. The font is specially designed to encourage a smooth and easy read. There are frequent page breaks, short, headed chapters and illustrations on almost every page. A wide range of specialists, including children themselves, have read and commented on the book prior to publication.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

Published June 18, 1999

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read.

[Stuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Problems with a Python by Jeremy Strong is a book for year 5 children perhaps. It is fast paced with some good illustrations, but even before the book starts there is an excellent introduction where we get to ‘meet the author’. There are a series of succinct questions addressed to the author and his answers in reply. This could be a useful exercise for pair-work or a warm up to an English lesson perhaps.

A story about a pet python that goes missing and the laughs and mishaps associated with it is probably not the foundation for a classic. However, the book is funny in places and the illustrations with captions bring the book to life and will support less confident readers. The characters are also quite well developed for such a short book. For example, his big sister’s boyfriend who pretends to be brave but isn’t.

As a classroom book it may be of interest to some children but I fear that many may dismiss it as being too silly and unbelievable. That aside it may be a good book to use for a lesson on pets.