Don't Call Me Pruneface!

by Janet Reed Ahern, Drazen Kozjan (Illustrator)

Paul is a good boy. Everybody says so. But his new neighbor is enough to try anyone’s patience. She walks her cat on a leash, calls Paul and his dog mean names, and makes a general nuisance of herself. Will the mild-mannered Paul survive the first week next door to Prudence?



Debut picture book author Janet Reed Ahearn and illustrator Drazen Kozjan use humor and style to show the classy approach to confronting one's peers. Loaded with color, feisty energy, and lots of good jokes, Don’t Call Me Pruneface! will teach kids how to deal with bullies even as it entertains.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Amanda]

I loved the illustrations for this picture book. But it never explained why Prudence suddenly started being nicer.

[Danica Midlil]

Really liked the illustrations. Not quite sure about the story.

[talia]

I like the illustrations but I don’t get the moral (?) or the grandma’s advice (??) or the ending really (???)

[Karen]

although it teaches a valuable lesson, i will not read a book to a child that calls another child 'lunatic'

[Bridgette Elston]

There are a lot of popular sayings in the book but instead of explaining them the main character just quotes them and says he doesn't get it.

The neighborhood girl is mean to him and all the suggested ways to deal (be nice in return, speak up, tell an adult) dont help so he's mean to her and that works.

Illustrations were good and title/cover drew me in but not a fan of thr lesson inside.

[Victoria B.]

1. There is a lot of name calling. From both of the main characters. One is just more vocal while the other primarily keeps them internalized (at first).
2. At first, Paul's character seems like the nicer one of the two until he sinks down to Prudence's level.
3. Not sure what this is supposed to teach kids - if someone is being mean, it's ok to give them a few chances before you're mean back?? New kids/neighbors are rude for no real reason and then suddenly you're friends??

[Matthew]

A good story about making friends with a difficult new neighbor. Lots of advice from a well meaning grandmother and a grandson who understands little of it, but still comes to his own conclusions.

[Melissa Gregory]

This book is about a young boy who gets a new neighbor, Prudence. Prudence always gives Paul a hard time. She always teases him about the way he looks and about his dog. Paul always accepts the teasing and tries to stay calm and nice because he just wants to get to know Prudence, but one day he snaps. This is a gread book for 1st-2nd grade. It potrays a wonderful message; "dont judge a book by its cover." The illustrations a great and they really help to paint the picture of the story to help readers better understand.

[Nancy Jo Lambert]

I would have given this one 4 stars, but the ending is the reason I took a star. I felt like the ending was rushed and not well done. I would have liked to have known why or seen why Prudence has a change of heart. I felt like the messages and the use of the message system was not enough for kids.

I really liked the book and the characters and the illustrations. However it is a little too negative and unkind to be a book of the day or a recommended read aloud.

[Miss Ryoko]

I absolutely LOVE this book!! It's so cleverly written and hilarious!! A zillion cheers for Janet Reed Ahearn!

Not only is the story fantastic and fun, but the illustrations are simply wonderful! Another zillion cheers for Drazen Kozjan!

I picked this book out from the library to read to my class, but I'll definitely be purchasing my own copy of it soon! It's fabulous!

[Lauren Jackson]

This book is about a litt;e boy who is being picked on by his next door neighbor. She called him names and talked about him. Finally gets the courage to tell her to stop picking on him. The first time i read this book was to my Pre-K placement class. We talked about bullies and ways that we should tell adults about bullies. I would also use this book for ways to handling bulling.

[Nanee Zogaa]

A funny story that students will surely enjoy. This is the story of Paul, who gets a new next door neighbor who is, well, she's just very different. Students will love to see how the story unfolds and will see Paul learn to stand up for himself!

[Sharonneika]

Great book that sends the message of encouraging children to stand their grounds. Students will love to see how this story end. Children will be amused at the events that takes place within this story.

[Kristy]

I loved this book until the very end...I'm not sure what kind of message it is trying to send...but I am in absolute love with the rest of the book. It gives an accurate view of how kids often think and the problems they endure.

[Ruth]

Great story about how enemies become friends.

[Rebecca]

The little neighbor girl moves in and she has no tact or manners.

[Shuntia Williams]

This is a wonderful story about a boy who does not get along with his new next door neighbor until he stands his ground. Great story to read to kids because of the humor and the message it sends.

[Tracy]

This sort of reminds me of Ira Sleeps Over, although it is has nothing to do with sleeping over. It deals more with getting along with obnoxious neighbors.

[Carol Jen]

very cute story of a boy who tries to be nice to a mean girl next door.. who turns out to not be quite so mean :-)

[Tammy]

Thanks to Carol Jen for posting -- it's a fun story!

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Quirky story about dealing with people who rub you the wrong way. I liked the narrator's voice - very authentic.

[Sarah Stumphf]

Interesting story about making new friends and dealing with difficult people at an early age.