Just a Minute

by Bonny Becker, Jack E. Davis

Little Johnny's mother is taking forever shopping--so long, in fact, that Christmas has come and gone, and he has grown up, gotten married, and had children!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Bonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I've enjoyed Bonny Becker's Bear and Mouse books. But this is just weak. It's all about a kid who's so impatient, he starts coming up with ever more outlandish ideas about how long his mom's been shopping. It gets to the point of ridiculousness, and though I well remember how interminable waiting could seem when I was a child, I don't like how this book portrays the passage of time. First, it implies that going through puberty makes one a "freak" (great message!) and then it goes on to basically describe the end of the world, with earthquakes and the sun burning out. I absolutely hated that sort of stuff when I was a kid, being a worrier and all.

The pictures are okay, and illustrate the ridiculous story well enough. I guess.

Stick with Bear and Mouse. This book is pretty forgettable.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waiting. What child hasn't felt the burden of a parent who will be "just a minute", especially while shopping? Little Johnny MacGuffin endures that experience in a comic exaggeration of how long that minute can be to a child. He begins to sees his life passing before him, all while being "stuck in the basement of Bindle's again". His dismay and wonder as he undergoes the changes of a lifetime contribute to the reader's fun.

The rhymed text and caricatured illustrations lend lightness to the story. The characters' faces are large and expressive, contrasting with the muted colors of the scenes. In the spirit of time fantasies and true science fiction, Just a Minute is an enjoyable play on the ideas of time, reality, and perception.

[Naia Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our 5-year-old much prefers Waiting is Not Easy by Mo Willems

[Zim · Rating 3 out of 5]

superb illustrations

[betanine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me too much of how my mom's time was prioritized for her interests with little time left for my interests as a kid.

I have endeavored to explain what he can expect on our outings and to make sure he has some time for his interests, too.

That being said the boy's imagination is entertaining, this book just rubs me the wrong way. I chose not to bring it to my boy's attention at the library.

[Taylar Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for third through fifth graders. It took me back to when I used to have to wait for my mother when she took me shopping. Seemed like it would be years until we would leave out of the store. I think students would enjoy this read because i'm sure they could relate with their mothers.

[Rhonda K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story hinges on that crazy statement all parents make to their kids, "just a minute." This story is done in rhyme, the illustrations are entertaining with exaggerated scenes that fit the action well, as this boy imagines aging into an old man while waiting for the "just a minute" that his mom needs to shop, to finally be over.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious book about a boy waiting for his mother to finish her shopping at the mall; he feels so much time has passed he has become an old man.

[Beth Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid waiting for his mom at the store. He thinks it's much longer than it is.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book about having to wait for a family member to finish shopping. I hate waiting as much as the main character. Was a fun twist on shopping and waiting on someone.

[Greta]

She just leaves her son alone in the basement of a department store?

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story written in a charming poetry style (not rhyming) about how hard it is to wait. Fun art.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book about a boy's overactive imagination and what he perceives happening when his mom is shopping in a department store. Kids will definitely relate.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really enjoy the concept, but LOVED the art. Jack E. Davis never disappoints!

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Age Range: 4 - 8 years

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost too true to be funny. For young kids whose moms seem to take forever while shopping.