Drinking Fountain Joe by Justin Matott

by Justin Matott

Rhyming tale of a primary school student whose concern about germs leads him to create a potion that not only cures every disease on earth, it grows a little hair, as well.

Hardcover

First published April 14, 2000

About the author

Justin Matott was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame in September 2021. His books and presentations have been entertaining the young and old since 1996.

He is best known for his "OUTRAGEOUS, EDUCATIONAL and HILARIOUS" assemblies, where he tells the stories behind the stories bound in his books, followed up by "absolutely fun and educational creative writing seminars!"

If you would like a signed, personalized copy, along with some good savings, please go to justin@justinmatott.com and order. If you buy three, simply email Matott at randomwrtr@aol.com to let him know to whom the books will go to and to request a free fourth book to be included for free.

Matott was in the corporate world when he wrote his first published adult book (though his fourth try at publishing). Random House picked him up and he has been writing full time and doing public speaking events ever since. Justin has been a storyteller all his life. In his books he blends real life events with imagination, believing there are stories all about us, just waiting to be written down.

A best selling, award-winning author of books for children and adults, Matott finds much of his inspiration while in schools, listening to the "AMAZING IMAGINATIONS" of kids and from his own sons and family. Matott spends days writing with his Rhodesian Ridgeback girl Butters. Matott enjoys many sports, hobbies and interests besides his first love of writing. The likelihood of an inspiration will come from weekly ski trips and jogging with his pup. There is just something about the rhythm of activity that inspires humor and creativity.

Reviews

[Haydn Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will most definitely be adding to the list of books I will buy for my classroom one day! It is a great picture book with detailed pictures of the narrative going on throughout the story and a rhyming theme as well. I love the rhyming theme and believe that it creates and easy and fun read for children. The story is based on a boy, Joe, who everyone views as odd because he has different interests than others. By the end of the story, it shows that being different is a good thing though and Joe wet on to lead a great life although he was not the most popular boy in school. I think this would be a great read aloud book to read to students and after reading the book, discuss how it is good to be different and have your own identity. Overall, this book is a lot of fun to read and has a great message which is why I am giving it a five star rating. It is a book that I hope my students will learn to love in my future classroom.