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Fleas!
From the whimsical world of Steig!
When Quantz stops to pet a big red dog, what does he get for his efforts? FLEAS! And those fleas are itchy! So he trades them for a talking uncle, but that uncle just talks too much, so Quantz is happy to give him up for a huge wheel of limburger cheese. But that cheese is too heavy, so he trades it for a beat up banjo . . . then an auburn wig . . . a tiny pet rabbit . . . a dried up bone . . . and finally a big red dog—who becomes a fast friend.
This wonderfully Steigish tall tale concludes with a flea circus you’ll never forget! With whimsical, retro illustrations and a hilarious text, Fleasis a book children will be itching to hear again and again!
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 24, 2009
This book is unique and unlike anything I have ever read. I still cannot decide if this is a good thing. The book was visually appealing and I felt that the illustrator did a fine job portraying the different characters in a way that reflected their personalities the same way as I saw them. The illustrations were colorful and humorous, but the end pages were plain white. I feel that children would enjoy this book because of its goofy nature, but I do not think that they could relate much to the characters. I am also having trouble of finding a topic that it could tie into other than the sequencing of trading one strange object for another. This book was not horrible but I do not see myself ever wanting to read it again due to the fact that its contents do not relate to me or anything I have ever experienced.
August 11, 2010
Great art work. Great story. Nothing is worse than fleas, except maybe mosquitos and the author turned a bad situation into a riotous adventure.
May 1, 2020
Funny story and great illustrations!
January 7, 2018
Steig, Jeanne Fleas! Illustrated by Britt Spencer. PICTURE BOOK. Philomel (Penguin), 2008.
Quantz' good deed - giving a dog a scratch- leaves him with a reward of fleas. When Quantz trades his fleas for an annoying uncle, his problem continues to get worse and worse, in an "Old Lady Swallowed a Fly" manner, until it reaches a very pleasant conclusion. Vivid pictures an a quirky story with a very satisfying ending will delight children of many ages.
EL - ESSENTIAL.
Quantz' good deed - giving a dog a scratch- leaves him with a reward of fleas. When Quantz trades his fleas for an annoying uncle, his problem continues to get worse and worse, in an "Old Lady Swallowed a Fly" manner, until it reaches a very pleasant conclusion. Vivid pictures an a quirky story with a very satisfying ending will delight children of many ages.
EL - ESSENTIAL.
July 14, 2014
This book uses the familiar technique of having a character trade one item for another, seeing both the positive and negative in each trade until all comes together at the end.
The trades are what make the book interesting - a wig, a talkative uncle, a bone, etc. The illustrations are vibrant and fun, adding immensely to the enjoyment of the story.
The trades are what make the book interesting - a wig, a talkative uncle, a bone, etc. The illustrations are vibrant and fun, adding immensely to the enjoyment of the story.
March 9, 2016
A fun little story about trading one trouble for another. It's fun to see how the characters are willing to trade their problems for someone else's problems.
The illustrations are great, so much fun to look at!
The illustrations are great, so much fun to look at!
July 2, 2012
Love the stylized realism of Britt Spencer's illustration Good story, too.
February 3, 2013
"Perfect, Perfect, Perfect!" Said Quantz."
Quirky book that goes full circle. I liked how it rhymed when ever the characters spoke but not during the narration. Fun illustrations.
Quirky book that goes full circle. I liked how it rhymed when ever the characters spoke but not during the narration. Fun illustrations.
June 24, 2014
Fun and silly, great art
November 17, 2014
Lots of exchanges in this read. Comical swaps and a happy ending.
December 7, 2014
Fun book about bartering. I really enjoyed it and I can see that elementary aged kids would find it very entertaining.
October 7, 2015
Long, long, long. Between the stunning illustrations and the sweet story, it was worth it. Excellent use of vocabulary. I'd recommend for 5-6 yesr olds.
April 7, 2016
Loved the storyline and resolution of this picture book. It had very detailed illustrations and kept every page engaging. Great for 2nd and 3rd grade.
June 11, 2021
A cute and creative little picture book. My kids asked to read it multiple times.
October 2, 2008
Quantz gets fleas from a dog. Luckily he is able to trade them off quickly! His bartering keeps him busy all day until his rejoins everyone for a big surprise!
This book would have been sweeter with less text, but it is still enjoyable.
This book would have been sweeter with less text, but it is still enjoyable.
August 20, 2011
This story was just okay. It starts with a man who gets fleas from a dog and trades them for a talkative uncle. He continues to trade everything he gets. The story ends with all the characters coming together enjoying the items they received in trade.
June 26, 2008
it lost me. i couldn't even read it!
December 10, 2009
"Circus, folktale about swapping troubles"
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November 19, 2013Used this book for a book analysis - to teach setting, character, problem, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2009
Children love culmulative stories. What a great book for sequencing. A great read aloud!
August 17, 2014
Illustrations were nice, but the story was a bit strange.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews