Skippyjon Jones: Up and Down

Skippyjon Jones

by Judy Schachner

Skippyjon Up and DownPlease ask if you need a specific version. The data provided here may not be correct. With buying and not asking you are accepting the book as is.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Cats, Animals

14 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2007

About the author

Judith Byron "Judy" Schachner is an American children's writer and illustrator. Her works include the Skippyjon Jones series. Schachner lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bob, and a dog and her two Siamese cats.

Reviews

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: This Review Contains Spoilers

Skippyjon Jones: Up and Down has emerged as a critical favorite and frontrunner for the top spot in the Storytime Selection Committee's annual review of Lapsitting Literature. This ingenious juxtaposition of opposites within the daily rituals of a bright-eyed Siamese Cat serves as an excellent introduction to themes of binary opposition and dialectical theory. Consider using Skippyjon's tail as an illustration of aesthetic relativism and the futility of conformity to societal beauty standards.

[SPOILER]:
With just three words ("all over again") on the final page, Schachner creates a theoretically never-ending story. Fortunately, the inevitable re-re-re-re-reading of Skippyjon Jones: Up and Down will serve as a valuable opportunity to discuss Schlesinger's cyclical theory. (This is apropos to my ongoing exasperation with GoodReads' lack of a satisfactory rereading feature.) An engaging, well-illustrated read overall.

[Blakely Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew skippy was a cat. Mommy thought he was a chihuahua.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trent loves acting out the opposites! And since I rate his books based on his reactions, this is definitely a 4.

[Katherine Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Skippyjon is a little kitten. In this book, children get to look at life through the eyes of a little kitten and his daily habits. Kids learn about opposites in this book like up and down, big and small, etc. This is a great book for classroom use because students can learn about something in a fun, colorful way that makes sense to them. The illustrations do a wonderful job of bringing the book to life and clarifying the content.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
Kindergarten.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
When students are learning about opposites.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students who are interested in kittens or need more clarification on opposites.
5) Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
Students could read the book in small circles and the discuss things like opposites that were not in the book, what they found interesting, etc.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
Read aloud during carpet time.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-Skippyjon Jones Color Crazy
-Skippyjon Jones Lost in Space
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
None available.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skippyjon Jones is a new character for us, but we're learning to like him. This board book is a great introduction to opposites for my preschoolers, but my 5 yr old was bored. Still, the cat is cute and we were learning something, so that's a thumbs up in my opinion.

[Austin Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book is good

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of prepositions with the very cute Skippyjon Jones helping to illustrate the meanings. Sadly there is no rhyming or Spanish that you would expect if you’ve read other Skippyjon books.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much too this one, but Skippyjon is such a likeable character he garnishes more stars.

[Little Champs]

BB 137

[Ember Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the series aimed at younger readers. Great for 4ish to try and read on their own.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

So ridiculously cute, brightly illustrated, easy to read, just lovely!

[Kat Sheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little one loves it and what I wasn't expecting was the fake sleeping when Skippy was sleeping and Lyric is only 16 months old...

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly fine opposites book, probably particularly enjoyable for Skippyjon Jones fans. But...do cats tails really grow big and small?...every day??

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and so did the kids!

[Jodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short of a story although I love Skippyjon

[The Badger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students adore these books, and I have so much fun reading them to the class! I used to schedule "Skippy-dates" with students who were having a rough time (I'm the counselor) and we'd go somewhere private to read, but as time went on my quiet kids started asking if they could bring friends. Of course! Except then we'd end up with so many kids that I'd just set up "classroom dates" instead!

P.S. I thought Skippy was a chihuahua in cat "drag" for several books. It didn't "click" that he was really a cat until the students in my actual Cat Club (I bring my special needs foster cats to work) explained that he really WAS a cat!

[Taylor De La Fe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a concept book featuring Skippyjon Jones. This is a perfect story to introduce younger children to the Skippy adventures. Children will learn all about opposites as they read how Skippy goes up and down and back and forth. This book has a colorful cover, as do all the others in the series. The pictures match up perfectly with the words, which helps young readers to better understand the concept of opposites in the story. The words are large and clear which is very helpful as well. Children are sure to enjoy the colors and the character while learning about opposites.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple board book based on the beloved picture book series about the fiesty kitten Skippyjon Jones. This book focuses on opposite concepts like near and far, big and small, over and under, near and far, as well as the more abstract concepts of back and forth. Interestingly, the title opposites of up and down are not portrayed. The pictures are simple and try to directly relate the concept in the text.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiny tots are initiated into the cult of Skippyjon Jones with this board book. Up and Down is actually preferable to Skippyjon’s full-length adventures, as this basic book of opposites doesn’t have the opportunity to get into the maddening wordplay and mush-headed storylines of the originals.

That’s a relief; you can enjoy the cute illustrations without suffering through the Three Caballeros-on-speed dialogue.

[Violet Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever this book was available at the library, Violet insisted that it come home with us. I wasn't highly impressed at first but as my child's love of this naughty Siamese "kitty boy" grew, so did mine. This is one of her utmost favorites. We also got the rest of the Skippy Jon Jones board books and they are lots of fun as well. The paperback books are good too and are a great way to introduce children to Spanish, but they are definitely for preschool/elementary - aged children.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Judy Schachner took simplistic elements and made them into a cute board book that little children and adults could read and enjoy. While it wasn’t a full-blown story, it still had enough Skippyjon aspects that made the book endearing.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Courtney]

I love the illustration of Skippyjon Jones. He is a cute siamese cat with giant ears. this board book focuses on pairs of opposites for toddlers. When you open the book to two open pages contain the pairs. The main owrds standout in red. This is another case where a picture book character has been adapted to the board book format. This one works because of the simplicity of the plot.

[Sarah Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great board book for toddlers about opposites. My 13 month old son laughs at all the funny pictures of the cat and will even "read" (flip through the pages) by himself. I like the simple text and highlighted words (up/down, over/under, etc).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the book that got my 2-year-old hooked on Skippyjon Jones. The book is written for very young children and teaches opposites. It's very similar to the 20 other books we have in our home that do this, but it includes the adorable cat, Skippyjon Jones.

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn directions, as you are taken through a day in the life of the cute kitty, Skippyjon Jones.
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[Lisa Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skippyjon is a cute board book. The story didn't leave impact on me or children in my class. Up and down did have good examples of opposites/antonyms that were easy for Pre-School children to understand.

[Marela Carmenaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book shows positional words. Many descriptive and repetitive words and colorful enhancing illustrations. A good book for children to learn their opposites. A very simple and basic vocabulary easy for children to learn.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's another great introduction to Skippyjon Jones. This book also introduces opposites to kids.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, simple opposites book for babies and toddlers.

[Holly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for learning directions and opposites. my two year old daughter loves this book and can tell me what up, down, back, forth, etc are !