Have You Ever Seen a Sneep?

by Tasha Pym, Joel Stewart (Illustrator)

Pity the boy narrating this book! He's just trying to enjoy a day out, but every time his back is turned, the Sneep and its mischievous friends sneak up and spoil his fun. From one hairraising surprise to the next, the boy explains his monster troubles to us. And when he finds out that we aren't harried by Grullocks and Floons and their ilk, he has a big favor to ask.

This hilarious story, illustrated with whimsical and witty style, features five naughty creatures and one adorable hero.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Storytime, Monsters

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little story about a boy who has run in to some exciting creatures. The boy is amazed to learn that the reader has never heard of all the terrifying creatures that he has encountered. Tasha Pym fills her pages with fun names of creatures such as a Sneep. Assisted by great ilustrations, the reader must feel relieved to never have encountered the boy's creatures. Delightful book, quick to read, and I really liked it!

[Kali Hilliard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4; modern fantasy; This story is just a fun one to have in a classroom library! The whole idea of crazy made up creatures really get kids involved with books. This book provides fun, vibrant pictures to also help the students follow along, and get to enjoy the story more!

[Papergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't recall the experience of learning to read nonsense words but I can see the value in it when it comes to having fun with language and assessing knowledge of the different phoneme groups.

If I was to sum up this book succinctly, I would say - budget version Gruffalo.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun and cute book. It has a Seussical vibe about it which I really like.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous and clever

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imaginative and silly.

[Mackenzie Navarrete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Date: 10/16/23
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Level: K-1st
Review: Have You Ever Seen a Sneep was a fun and silly read. I’d love to read this book to a lower-elementary class and see how they react to it. It’s from the point of view of a child named Pity who just wants to have a fun time but a sneep keeps trying to spoil all his fun. The illustrations were creative and adorable!

[Lauren Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern Fantasy
K-2

This book was an easy read to go through. I enjoyed the illustrations really fit in with what the book was saying overall. I also liked that throughout the book they had questions being asked!

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small boy sets out to enjoy a picnic in a splendid spot, but when he turns his back a Sneep runs off with his entire lunch! Using a series of questions the boy introduces the reader to a cast of pesky creatures, from the bothersome Snook to the long-armed Knoo. After each question he’s surprised to learn that the reader has never been surprised by a springing Floon or landed in a swimming Grullock’s throat. He considers these facts seriously and then packs his bags because he's coming to live with you!

The illustrations set the whimsical creatures in a misty forest-like environment. I like that the creatures are unique and imaginative, but never scary or malevolent.

The rhyming text speaks directly to the reader and is presented almost entirely in the form of questions, making this a fun read aloud for storytime. The short, humorous text works well as a stand alone poem and can be read to kids without the pictures.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy has all his recreation interrupted by a variety of imaginative (imaginary?) creatures. He can't picnic, read, swim, or even take a walk. When he finds out that you don't have those creatures in your part of the world, his bags are packed and he's coming for an extended stay.


What I thought: Look out Dr. Seuss and Lewis Carroll! Tasha Pym has created new creatures. The slight repetition in the text ("Have you ever...") makes it perfect for story time. Also, it's an interactive book. The boy asks questions and wants answers. The illustrations are great. Old school like Ernest H. Shepard.


Story Time Themes: Imagination or Creatures (Pair with Dr. Seuss' books, a chapter from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or a chapter about Milne's infamous heffalumps and woozles.)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy is just trying to enjoy his summer day by having a picnic, reading some books, swinging across a swimming hole, and other adventures, and he keeps getting interrupted by the Sneep and his mischievous friends. He is amazed that none of these creatures live where the reader is, and so is determined to move there to get away from them, but the Sneep and his friends want to move with him! Recommended for ages 3-6, 3 stars.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was all right, but I think it had more potential. Not sure how it could have met that potential, but it seemed the pauses didn't work (at least with a storytime in mind) and that the illustrations didn't do enough justice to what the book was trying to convey. And there's no story whatsoever. Just a whimsical book. Not bad. But unfortunately not amazing.

[Christopher Obert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pleasant book with charming illustrations which tells the tale of a little boy and his unusual companions. The book’s images are very interesting and are fun to look at. The story is equally inviting. The story is not too scary for younger children and should have them asking questions about what kind of things live near them.

[MissInformation · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of fun little book- imaginative descriptions of little monsters in a repeating format where the character asks the reader if they have ever seen a (blank). Ends with the character asking the reader, who presumably hasn't seen any of the monsters, "Can I come live with you?"

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good idea, but the execution didn't really work for me. The pacing of the words was off, and I didn't love the illustration style. Overall not a bad book, but not one I'm dying to read again, or to use in story time.

[Stephanie H (My Bookish Itinerary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute story. My girls and I have read it a lot and they love it!

Full Review: http://herreviewsofbooksmoviesandever...

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great starter for a spirited discussion on creativity and imagination. I can see all the kids creating their own fictitious creatures and drawing pictures of their mischief. Definitely a fun storytime book.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

My six year old sat through it with complaisance, but it just wasn't as funny as the concept led me to believe it was. Maybe it was the illustrations-- if so it was the composition of the illustrations, because the critters sure were funny looking; maybe it was the text that dragged. Too bad.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use for third grade book talks.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and readable for imagination and silliness for toddlers, preschoolers, even early school-age crowds.

[Samantha Hastings · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story and illustrations were only so-so. If you want imaginative creatures I'd stick with Dr. Seuss.

[Lindsay]

monsters, silly books

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute read in the fashion of Dr. Seuss with wonderful wacky characters to brighten every page.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this in a Crazy Creatures Print Motivation Storytime.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received plenty of giggles and requests for "again!" from my daughter. Would make a great addition to a monster storytime.

[Heloyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been plagued by imagined creatures at times, I can relate to this story and the young boy who is confronted by his own monsters. If he can find a way to leave them behind, I am with him.

[Sarah Kiesche]

This is a really cute book! It reminds me of a Dr.Seuss book only shorter. Would be appropriate for PreK-1st grade. Good book to bring out for wordplay.

[John]

Fun read for storytimes!

[Aleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute children's picture book.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but pretty fun.