A Snake Mistake

by Mavis Smith (Illustrator)

Farmer Henry puts light bulbs under his chickens so they will make more eggs. But instead of fooling his chicken, he fools Jake, the snake, who eats two light bulbs! Farmer Henry rushes Jake to the hospital. Can the doctors save him in time? Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[W.A. Ashes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was different. The kids I read it to liked it but we all wondered why the farmer threw a party for the snake. Like was the snake his pet? Or was Jake just a snake that lived on the farm? It felt like there should have been a little more info on that, but being from a farming community a lot of the kids related to the whole tricking hens into laying more eggs thing. Though they all agreed that lightbulbs were a bad idea.

Since it was based on a true story though, and you don't have say in what happens in realife, I'm giving this 4 stars. If it were purely fiction I'd give it 3.

[Kiyoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

My child likes snakes. The back page of the book gives suggestions for additional snake related activities, such as write or tell a story about an animal, make a list of different kinds of snakes, or draw your favorite snake after your research. The illustrations were interesting and the book was written in a conversational way. Educational and enriching content.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Level 2 book with more words and longer sentences for children just beginning to read on their own. It suggests ages 5 - 8.

Excerpt from the book:
"Farmer Henry's chickens were not laying enough eggs. So he looked in a book for help. 'Chickens will lay more eggs if you put fake eggs in their nests,' he read. Farmer Henry found a box of light bulbs. 'These old bulbs will make good fake eggs.' he said."

[Butterflycager · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old daughter adores this book - I think she's chosen it at the library three or four times this year. She's starting to recognize some of the words in the text, and she loves the pictures, especially the one of the party at the end.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this in ages, but I remember it being so cute! All the farmer wants to do is help the poor, little snake. You're never too old for this adorable book

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake the snake eats the lightbulbs that are helping the chickens lay more eggs.