Flappy and Scrappy

by Arthur Yorinks, Aleksey Ivanov (Illustrator), Olga Ivanov (Illustrator)

Flappy and Scrappy are friends—the kind who know just what to say when one feels sad. They're the kind of friends who will play, even when they don't really want to, just to make the other happy. They are the kind who never forget a birthday. What kind of friends are they? Best friends.

Beautifully portrayed by the Ivanovs' expressive watercolors, Arthur Yorinks's canine pals have an unforgettable friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Dogs

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Arthur Yorinks is a playwright, director, and author of more than thirty-five picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal–winning Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski. His most recent picture book is Presto and Zesto in Limboland, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Arthur Yorinks lives in Cambridge, New York.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flappy and Scrappy is a book with three stories about two friends adventures. One nice spring day, Flappy decided to visit Scrappy. On his way to Scrappy's house he encounters Sheep, Cow, Pig, Bird, goats, horses, and chickens but everyone was too busy eating so when Flappy would say hello it sounded as if they were saying something rude. This made Flappy very upset and she walked with her head down all the way to Scrappy's house. When she saw Scrappy, Scrappy put his biscuit down and greeted her with a kiss on the nose. Flappy realized Scrappy is her best friend. He was the only one that stopped eating to say hello to her. Scrappy also played ball with her even when no one else wanted to. In addition, when Scrappy thinks everyone forgot his birthday Flappy brings him back to her house where all the animals are waiting to wish him a happy birthday. Flappy and Scrappy are friends. They are the kind of friends who know just what to say when one feels sad. They're the kind of friends who will play, even when they don't really want to, just to make the other happy. They are the kind who never forget a birthday; so basically, they are best friends!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that this book had an engaging enough story for my student that it kept them interested in the story and not worried about whether or not they were going to be able to pronounce a particular word. I found that my student read fluently throughout the book, not even stumbling over words that they normally had difficulty with. I recommend this to anyone who has a struggling reader they are working with.

[carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: grades 1-2

After canine friends Scrappy and Flappy play an unusual game of catch, Scrappy complains that everyone has forgotten his birthday, but Flappy surprises him.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ben laughed out loud while reading this.

[Ceriana L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has three chapters which were three separate short stories.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe, this is a book with heart. A book about what it really means to have a close friendship.

I'm a big fan of this book, depicting the friendship of Flappy and Scrappy. Reasons include:

* Both of them know what to say to cheer each other up.
* They'll use give and take when deciding which kind of game to play.
* And they never forget a birthday.

HERE'S A SAMPLE

Flappy is trying to find somebody to play catch with her. She's having a hard time.

"No one will play with me,"
said Flappy.

She was very sad.

"Oh, all right," said Scrappy.

"I'll play."

IN CONCLUSION

Caring like this doesn't only have to be the mark of being best friends. To me, caring like this is what it means to be a good friend with anyone.

FIVE STARS for this beautiful book. It can help children grow up into lovely people.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/18/17 Elena read to me.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason, this pair of friends strikes me as whiny and slightly manipulative. I know other beginning reader friends whine to each other and complain, but Flappy and Scrappy seem a bit much. In addition, the humor in the first chapter will be above many early readers' heads.

From "the King": (I asked him what he thought before I'd even read the book--he'd read it on his own) "I didn't like it. They don't say 'Happy Birthday' when it's his birthday." (for the record, there is a surprise party and they all eventually say 'Happy Birthday.')

[Finny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mommy says: Perfect for my child to read aloud, but pretty dang boring for me to read aloud.