Valentine's Day from the Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon Adventures #8

by Mike Thaler, Jared Lee (Illustrator)

Love strikes in the Black Lagoon! Everyone has to make a card for Valentine's Day. And even worse you have to give it to someone in your class. Plus, you can't draw a green-colored square or a dinosaur. You must draw a pink or red heart or a cupid. Yuck! You'd rather eat worms! And you know how it First you give a Valentine card and the next thing you know, you're married! You're just not ready for this!

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Humor, 2nd Grade, School

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.

Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”

Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.

Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read a small chapter book to my son and found this one laying around the house in time for valentine’s day. It’s not a bad book, but we just weren’t ready for it. Eh...I’m always willing to try something once and if it doens’t work then whatever.

At the moment it’s not age appropriate (4 years old). The illustrations are too creepy for him and he’s so literal that explaining expressions wasn’t going well. I may have scared him reading about things like wearing your heart on your sleeve or how the main character’s mom is going to kill him if he brings home a dirty jacket.

We’ve read short fiction chapter books before, but this series might need to be saved for when he’s older. Else I’m freaking him out. I’ll just stick to Flat Stanley for now.

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentine's is nearing and Hubie has to prepare and exchange valentine's cards... "with girls! Yuck!"

This was a really fun Valentine's Day-themed children's book suitable for grades 1-3, who are transitioning towards reading chapter books. This book was full of funny heart puns. Some of the puns may require explaining as I don't expect kids to get them all. But it's a pretty fun read for adults!

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Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.

[Steph Pavlic · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love including the black lagoon holiday chapter books in our homeschool morning basket. This one was perfect for early February.

My middle child, aged 6, was able to read most of it aloud for us. There were a handful of words to challenge him, but it was mostly approachable vocabulary for that age group.

The little illustrations/commentary on the sides of the pages are always a highlight!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early chapter book from the author of the other Black Lagoon stories. Lots of juvenile humor. Fun for second and third graders, although I don't think they will get all the jokes. "Romeo was late for dinner and Juliet it all."

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/7/21 - Interesting book about giving Valentine's cards out on Valentine's Day and falling in love. Would the kids reading this really be ready for the content? I'm not sure as I don't have little ones that age any more. I will certainly keep it for my grandchild and see what they think about it.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never understand why older Valentine's Day books show the children giving out one valentine. That's exclusive and it hurts people's feelings and it is easy to make them so why not just give one to each member of the class?

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I thought this was hilarious and, yes, silly, which I think is largely the point with these types of chapter books. My main problem with it is it is too adult for the target audience.

[Craig Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but not so much. (Finn age 6)

[Kris Dersch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like a stereotypical, annoying, and completely unnecessary addition to a series I usually like.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the heart and love references throughout the book. And the ending was fantastic 😊

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys like this book

I read this with my boys and they like it. Thought it was funny and like that it was a boy's point of view not a girl's book about Valentine's day

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick fun read

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever look at Valentine's Day traditions and heart/love expressions.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter's teacher gave the entire class copies of this book for Valentine's Day this year. It had some funny parts and kids love that they can help read it with me. It wasn't the best story out there, but it certainly has grabbed my kids' attention on several occasions since Valentine's Day. As a result, I can't complain too much. I love to see them enjoy reading!

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 3rd grade son would probably give this 4 1/2 stars. Like the other black lagoon books, it was quite silly, but not super uplifting or thought provoking. I'd maybe recommend these books for reluctant boy readers as they are easy little chapter books with quite a bit of humor.

[Brooke Birchler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for children who are transitioning into chapter books to read around Valentine's Day. It has a good moral to it about giving is better than receiving. This is perfect for anyone who loves the Black Lagoon series.

[Crafty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was Valentine's Day and Hubie and his class have to exchange valentine cards. Hubie doesn't like Valentine's Day, and that means he will be having another farfetched adventure! He learns more about what love mainly is.

[Mary Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob loves these books. He's reading them in school and borrowed one from the library this week. They are fun to read and funny too.

[Taylor Darst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it shows the stage where boys hate girls and girls hate boys. I love reading it to the younger kids because it is written exactly how they think!

[Sarah Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book for a younger child. I res this in 28 minutes to my son and daughter who are 7 and 8 and they got a laugh out of it.