What Spot?

by Crosby Newell Bonsall

Although his friend tries to discourage him, a walrus is determined to identify a small black spot he spies in the snow.

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Crosby Barbara Newell Bonsall, b. Jan. 2, 1921; d. Jan. 10, 1995 was an American artist and children's book author and illustrator. She wrote and illustrated more than 40 children's books.

Bonsall began writing and illustrating for juvenile readers after working for advertising firms.

Born Crosby Barbara Newell, she married George Bonsall.

Works were published as Crosby Newell, Crosby Bonsall, and Crosby Newell Bonsall.

Reviews

[John Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's picture books. It's the story of two friends (a walrus and a persnickety puffin) and a spot in the snow. A spot which is more than a spot. As fitting early reader books, the story is told simply, but this one uses several refrains which are a lot of fun to read. These refrains take on slightly different meanings as the story unfolds leading to a very funny and satisfying ending. My children and I still laugh every time we read it. Although the laughter may also have something to do with the voice I give to the puffin! I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who appreciates good children's books.

[J Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my Grammas favorite childhood book and she passed her copy down to my family. My kiddos love this book so much and it holds a special place in my heart, reminding me of her every time I read it aloud.

[keatssycamore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A puffin may, or may not, have eye-problems.

[Bryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this to my daughter. Completely pointless - an annoying book for adults. Stick to Dr Seuss if you want humor.

[Onionboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to get this from the library and read this to my son when he was little. I bought it and read it again today because I found out that this book caused him a lot of confusion, given what we taught him from it. We did not know at the time that he was on the autism spectrum. I am trying to help him make sense of this now.

So be careful if you teach your child that something is "nothing" when it is clearly "something". Now I am not sure what the point of this book is supposed to be, other than a fun story for young kids.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another old learning-to-read book from the in-law's closet, from like the 1970s. This one had a lot of repetition to it. I think it made Joe drowsy before bed which was a-ok, but it wasn't exciting for enticing him to learn to read. Features polar animals discovering a little red wagon.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too repetitive and weak payoff.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute fav.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

●

[Ben Nealis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. a cute short story about a puffin and a walrus. Everything you need from a child's story except for a lesson at the end, good art, quick pacing, talking animals.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up at the library because it's a Crosby Bonsall creation, and I am a devoted Crosby Bonsall fan. I enjoyed the illustrations (especially of the pious puffin) and the dialogue between the animals. The repeated refrains make it good reading practice for beginners and the humor will keep them interested. Because it is a beginning reader, it might not make a snappy read-aloud, but classrooms studying polar animals may want to add this to the "To Read" list.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an okay story -- there's not really much of a moral here, I don't think. Walrus is curious, which is good. Puffin is in a deep sea of denial. I loved the pages where Walrus imagined what could be underground. When they eventually uncover the "thing," Puffin ends up endagered by it -- and I didn't really understand why all the other animals said, "It's nothing," when they saw him. Taste of his own medicine or something? But in the end, Walrus is a good friend.

[Christine Turner]

The adventure of a walrus, a puffin, and a cart.

Subject: Walrus -- Fiction.
Snow -- Fiction.
Puffin -- Fiction
Objects -- Fiction
Geographic Term:
Arctic regions -- Fiction

Note: Nice size font, and text. Uses repetitive words to encourage success. Longer -- adverages 3 or more sentences a page.

[Norad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for very young children. I loved it as a child - I used to have my sister read it to me over and over and over again. It hasn't lost it's charm!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, simple story of friendship.