Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee

Pinky and Rex #3

by James Howe, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

Pinky and Rex continue to support each other, even through the worst of times! Readers will love this supportive duo!

Rex is a terrible speller, and she's afraid she's going to embarrass herself in front of the whole class at today's spelling bee. Pinky, on the other hand, is a great speller, and he's sure he's going to be champion of the second grade again.

But Pinky isn't counting on the new kid in class, who's a great speller, too. And he's certainly not counting on embarrassing himself in a way so terrible that winning or losing doesn't even matter. It's a good thing he can count on Rex to make him feel better on the worst day of his life.

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sounds like it's about a spelling bee, but it's really about how we deal with embarrassing situations. Pinky wants to win the Spelling bee so bad that he is nervous. He does win and ends up peeing his pants in front of the whole class. He was afraid he would be embarrassed if he lost the spelling bee, but he learns that there are different levels of embarrassment and we have to learn to live with them once they happen.

My brother had a small bladder as a kid and this happened to him in class a few times throughout school. At the time, I wasn't very sympathetic to him, but I see how difficult that must have been for him. He handled it pretty well and it never seemed to devastate him too much.

This is the best Pinky and Rex book I have read. It really has a lot to say on this subject and how we deal with humiliation in life. The kids had fun with this book. The giggled mercilessly when Pinky wet himself. It is funny gross. They gave this story 5 stars too. It gave us good stuff to talk about.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A couple of parents in other reviews completely miss the point. One says the book gets one star for teaching kids the word stupid, whereas the fact is that kids will know that word well before second grade and this book will teach them how to disarm the word. Another says that her 3 yo argued with her about the names of the kids... but first, what is the point of sharing this with a 3 yo, and second, why does the tot already have those prejudices in place?

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I will never laugh at you even if the other kids laugh".

—Pinky, "Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee", P. 38

I am just really impressed by the depth with which James Howe writes in these short Pinky and Rex volumes. Taking a simple story, he injects the characters with warmth, verve and real feeling, letting the reader feel right along with them and experience their days as if they were personal friends of theirs.
There are many short juvenile series in existence, but hardly any of them can compare in any way to the adventures of Pinky and Rex. I have been more impressed with each succeeding entry that I have read, though I am no longer at all surprised when James Howe manages to amaze me. "Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee" is the best in the series that I have read to this point (having taken them in chronological order), and I am very much looking forward to reading more of the Pinky and Rex books in the near future.

"And I will never laugh at you, even if all the other kids are laughing."

—Rex, "Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee", P. 37

[Tym · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a lot better than the first Pinky and Rex book. Perhaps it was because this one hit a lot closer to home, I didn’t have the same experience as the main boy character did but it was close enough. Plus I was also very good at Spelling just like Pinky and was also the best in my grade. Anyway this book is actually about how to deal with embarrassing situations and how to be a good friend. I feel like embarrassment is rarely addressed in any sort of depth in most children’s books like it is here, kudos to Mr. Howe.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've read several books in the Pinky and Rex series by James Howe and Melissa Sweet and we like the unusual characters and the purposeful challenge to stereotypes.

Pinky and Rex are in the second grade and the stories reflect issues and concerns for children this age. Our girls love these friends, especially because Rex isn't afraid to like 'boyish' things are Pinky isn't afraid to like pink.

This is a story about embarrassment and friendship that shows Pinky and Rex experiencing mortifying situations when other children laugh at each of them. I liked the realism of the story, such as when Rex shows frustration with Pinky for not understanding how she feels. I also liked that she stands by him when he is distressed and ashamed.

We enjoyed reading this book together and we will certainly look for more of the books in this series from our local library.

interesting quotes:

"The truth was, Pinky no longer cared that he had won. Rex had been right. There were worse things than losing." (p. 27)

"After walking a little way in silence, Rex bent down and picked up two small stones. One was white, the other was gray with spots.
'These are Friendship stones,' she declared. 'Hold out your hand.'
Pinky held out his hand, and Rex placed the white stone in it.
'Okay, repeat after me.'
'As long as I keep this stone...'
'As long as I keep this stone,' said Pinky.
'I will never think you're stupid.'
'I will never think you're stupid,' said Pinky.
'I will never laugh at you, even if the other kids are laughing.'
Pinky closed his hand tightly over the white stone.
'I will never laugh at you, even if the other kids laugh,' he said.
'Because you're my friend,' Rex said.
'Because you're my friend,' said Pinky." (pp. 37-38)

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use the Pinky and Rex series of books each year when I teach character studies and character traits. These fast moving chapter books do a great job of showing unique and fun character traits, Our two main characters are best friends but exhibit some very differing character traits as well as changing and growing between books. Because of this, the books are very well suited to use for teaching how to learn about characters, and seeing how authors can teach us more and more about them across books. The fact that these characters are realistic, sometimes rude and funny characters means that kids will be engaged and interested as each lesson progresses. Be prepared for some giggles and ewws as Pinky wets his pants, but also count on having some discussions about friendship and the challenges that sometimes come along with it. Its perfect for higher level first graders all the way up to 3rd or 4th grade.

[Melanie, Aaron, Annie, and Mary Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by: Melanie
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Author: James Howe Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Interest Level: K-2
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.1
DRA: N/A
Lexile: 480L

Pinky is excited for the spelling bee, but his friend Rex is dreading it and being made fun of for not being a good speller. Pinky ends up winning the bee, but has something embarressing happen to him at the end. Rex does all she can to make him feel better and eventually he realizes that it is okay to have an accident. Accidents happen and it is important for students to knwo that it is okay and to support one another. This book could interest all students in the classroom as it has topics including friendship, nervousness and embarrassment.

[Reader05 · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this "Ready-To-Read" book, the author has a tendency to use the word "stupid", which is not appropriate to teach a child. It is an unfortunate display of a lack of creativity, and lets a child think it's okay to use this language, unless parental supervision is exercised. Poor judgement on James Howe's part, as the idea within the book is good. Definitely not a "Reading Alone" book, as is displayed on the cover. This book is going to the recycle bin.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My then 6 year old daughter was reading this book aloud to me, and I will never forget how she started to giggle when she realized what was coming, and she laughed til she cried. Watching her, so did I :)

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3 year old was very bothered that the girl is named Rex and the boy is named Pinky. We had a little argument about it. That aside, I like the message about how to deal with embarrassing situations.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story that is probably unfortunately biography for at least one younger reader: In trying to avoid The Worst Thing Ever (embarrassing yourself in front of class by spelling a word incorrectly in the spelling bee), the Actual Worst Thing Ever happens instead (though not the ACTUAL Actual Worst Thing Ever, since this is a younger reader book that isn't ever going to cover content like Sandy Hook, which isn't something that's that easy to explain even to OLDER readers).

The story is pretty good for learning to read, with an extra lesson about dealing with bullying in its weakest form (other children laughing because, hey, better him than me, but also most likely out of sight, out of mind). A little confusing for newcomers, since... what kind of name is "Rex" for a girl? Probably the first book I've read that makes absolutely no fuss about a girl having a "boy's" name!

[Savannah Stapley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won’t the spelling bee in sixth grade so I can relate

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little read. Wonderful beginner chapter book.