Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse

Skippyjon Jones #2

by Judy Schachner

For another loco adventure. In his room for a time-out, Skippyjon Jones lets his imagination take him to a shack where his Chihuahua friends are yipping and yapping and hiding out from the bad Bobble-ito, who has taken over their doghouse. How El Skippito chills the Chihuahuas and banishes the Bobble-ito will make more amigos for this endearing and irresistible rascal, who made his first appearance in the favorite Skippyjon Jones.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2005

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

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is full of racist stereotypes. A Siamese cat wants to be a chihuahua, and his pretend play involves Slowpoke Rodriguez accents like "monkey beez-ness." His Siamese cat mom just wants him to be Siamese, not a chihuahua! And yes there are a few Spanish words but there are so many better ways to learn Spanish words. Reading aloud to children should not involve racist accents. Also, this story makes no sense.

If you are looking for fun kids' books that are not racist, here are some suggestions:
Anything by Mo Willems, especially Piggy and Gerald books.
If you like wordplay, the Fancy Nancy series.
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads
Anything by Tomie dePaola
Alejandro's Gift

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my 6-year-old, hoping to replace Green Eggs & Ham as our routine bedtime story. It worked! We laugh hysterically every time we read about Skippyjon's shenanigans and overactive imagination. The author is pure genius. Who would've thought to create stories with a Siamese kitten who thinks he is a chihuahua? And he speaks slang? And he has a group of imaginary chihuahua friends, Los Chimichangos? Funny stuff! I highly recommend buying the hardback version with the CD.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic plot: Skippyjon continues his closet adventures as el Skippito, and now must defeat the dreaded Bobble-ito!

It wasn't nearly as cute, storywise as the first Skippyjon book, but was still pretty fun. I still like the art quality, but the story seemed forced and some of the rhyming sections seemed just off somehow. The little man likes it, though, so I gave it four stars instead of the three I was considering.

[Leonardo · Rating 1 out of 5]

My wife is a bilingual educator of kids. That means she, in her classes, teach both spanish and english to kids who are mostly of hispanic origin. I can speak for both of us when I say this book is highly filled with racist, stereotypical, self-centered and ignorant visions of world, that say much about who wrote it.

0/10, would create another account not to recommend it again

[Cayla Lile · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I think the story was fun and entertaining, however the underlying stereotypes and racism turned me off. At first it was cute, but then I realized how racist it was, it was making fun of hispanic culture and I am sure it is very offensive to many people of that culture. I will not be running to the stores for this book anytime soon.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom used to read this to me and my siblings when we were very little. My sister dug it out of our family bookshelf the other day read it aloud for me and my brother while we were all curled up on the couch together, and that healed my soul a little. Idk why we don’t curl up with our friends and family on a couch or bed and read our favorite kids books together more often. I think I’d be a lot happier if I did that regularly. Might start a new family tradition. Anyways this book is funny and cute and has great rhymes and adorable illustrations. And a cat that thinks he is a chihuahua. What more could you want?

[Magpie67 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Skippyjon Jones and his desire to be someone else. His imaginations are wonderful and his family dealing with them a hoot. His mom wants him to act like a kitten but says she is going to put him in the doghouse, if he acts like a Chihuahua. A must read for all children, this series is adorable and gives parents a chance to use their best Spanish accents when reading aloud. The children will giggle... heck I giggle.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids LOVED this book! I lost track of how many times we laughed out loud.

[Josiah Bolding · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This book is a fever dream

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Skippyjon Jones! Such a vivid imagination! I love Mrs. Junebug Jones too, and all the cute little names she has for him, like "little crumb cake". In this story, Skippyjon is caught drawing on the walls, and for that, "Mr. Doodlepaws" is sent to his room to think about being a Siamese cat and not a chihuahua. But soon enough his imagination takes him on another wild adventure as Skippito Friskito, and his punishment is forgotten. It's the artwork that really makes this series, from Mama's cat-face apron to the three little sisters. The dialogue in Skippyjon's "adventures" is part English, part Spanish, and part Spanglish, with "-ito" added on to the end of a lot of words, sometimes making reading it aloud quite a tongue-twister. The book is accompanied by a CD, presumably with the story and the songs on it, but I didn't listen to it. Wish I could have watched "Quiz Kitties" on TV with Mama and the girls! What will he get up to next? Well, I've read most of the books, and I think this one is my second favorite. I recommend the whole series to cat and dog lovers alike!

[Flugschütz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars instead of 1 because there are things about the book I do like. I like the artwork. I liked the premise of the story.

However, overwhelmingly, there is just too much to dislike about this book. Skippyjon clearly misbehaved by writing all over walls, speaking back to his mother, refusing to do what he was told to do, and never did learn anything from his misbehaviour.

The biggest problem I have with this book is the clearly offensive language in the book. Other reviewers say that they and their children are learning Spanish words by reading this book, but all I got from it was stereotyped Mexican spanish, as portrayed in the United States. Absolutely ridiculous! I find that to be racist and unacceptable. Not a good book for early age children -- really disappointed that my child's school library has this book. A strongly worded note will be accompanying it back to the school.

Not recommended.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second adventure of the tempestuous Siamese kitty who thinks he is a Chihuahua version of Zorro, is a fun story of an overactive imagination. When the hyperactive, misunderstood Skippyjon Jones gets in trouble and has to spend dinner time in his closet, he goes on an adventure that lands him in the dog house where he must defeat a dreaded bobble head.

But, the writing is not as strong as the first book. The songs seem forced and there is a random encounter with a bean-spitting ancient chihuahua that is never explained and very out of place. Also, my concerns about lingualism and stereotyping still persist (see my review of the first book in the series).

Schachner’s colorful and exciting illustrations of the adorable, big-eared Skippy are half the fun of the story and, I am convinced, why the kids love the books as read alouds.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children like these because they recognize a Skippyjon Jones book when I pull it out, but nothing more. Although we're learning some of the basic Spanish words, it's still hard to recognize them among all the rhyming and alliteration chatter that Schachner is famous for. Perhaps my Spanish just isn't good enough to make the flow of the text sound good, but in any case, even I have a hard time getting into these. I really enjoyed these books when the cd of the author reading it is in the back of the book, thereby relieving me of my accent speaking duties. The illustrations are wonderful and I always enjoy them, Skippy being such a cutely drawn cat - excuse me, I mean Chihuahua. And I really enjoy the imagination this kitten has in his storytelling.

[Gina Pecoraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: audio

Skippyjon Jones, a siamese cat, still thinks he is a Chihuahua. In this book he is sent to his room for drawing on the wall. His mom hopes he will start to think like a Chihuahua. Once in his room he enters his closet and that's where he finds his Chihuahua friends. Now his adventure really begins.

The book is read by the author, Judy Schachner. I thought she does a nice job reading the text, giving it a authentic feel with a Sanish accent. I would have liked to look at the book while I was listening to the audio, the pictures are very colorful. Listening to the book only, you miss out on the illustrations.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The good: it's strikingly original, and has fun art and great read-aloud potential.

The bad: unclear narrative, and a borderline offensive reliance on Hispanic/Mexican stereotypes. I'm only half-Hispanic, and not particularly sensitive. I've made & enjoyed jokes involving Hispanic stereotypes and nonsense "Spanish" before (usually with an eye at skewering the ignorance of people who believe those stereotypes, however).

But it's so excessive and unaware here. Shades of Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's-type unaware. I can see the good in this book, and would never tell anyone not to read it, but I can't help wondering how well this will age.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skippyjon is at it again, but this time he is COLORING ON THE WALLS! I made sure to let the kids know that they would not get off as scott free as their kitty counterpart if I caught them coloring on the walls. Also I dont really like that the mommy cat won't just let him be what he wants to be. However the kids enjoy his adventures and I just make sure that we talk about the issues I have with the story (coloring on the walls, being who you want to be, obeying your mother. My husband even laughed a few times while I was reading this book.

[Joey Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skippjon Jones series are great for imaginative writing, since Skippyjon Jones often find himself taking on an imaginary adventure in his own home. Once again, the silly made up Spanish is a silly and fun approach to young readers. It can help encourage them to make up their own words in their writings. Bilingual students especially Spanish speakers will find this book more relate-able with a Siamese cat who thinks he's a Spanish speaking chihuahua. The story also included a few rhyming songs that would be a great lesson tool.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my son's favorite series of story books it is about a Siamese kitten that thinks he is a Chihuahua. Each story has Skippyjon venturing into his closet on an adventure. This story really teaches about using your imagination in a very creative way. We love the various pet names that Skippy's mom calls him, in this one it is "Pickle Pants." We laugh every-time we read this story. The color pictures are adorable and definitely a book to keep.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese cat who wishes to be a Chihuahua, is back! Skippyjon is in the "doghouse" for coloring on the walls and is sent to his room to "think Siamese". While there he goes on a wild adventure in his imagination while in his room, except he is not thinking Siamese, he is thinking Chihuahua!

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skippyjon Jones is at it again. That little Siamese cat just can't seem to stop thinking chihuahua! Reading this aloud is such a hoot. Using my best Spanish accent and clapping during the songs was a lot of fun for both myself and my son. A must read for those who love an easy to read, yet hilarious book. Frijoles!!!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of students in my first grade placement LOVE this series! Such a humorous, creative, and fun story. Includes a vivid imagination, interaction with the story (repetition and singing), and lots of descriptive language. My students asked me to read this book to them over and over again :)

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to read Skippyjon Jones books outloud. I know many people including my son love these but they are just not my favorite books. This one came with an audio CD so I turned the pages as the author read the book. Much better to hear someone else read it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole series is loads of fun! I love reading these to my library classes. Lots of opportunity to use all your silly voices. Skippyjon is a Siamese cat who thinks he is a Chihuahua. He also has an imagination that is as big as all outdoors! Everyone loves Skippyfjon!

[Rikelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite picture book. To get the full effect of this book you must read it out loud using voices, accents and of course singing. Fun, fun!!

[Datoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

kids love this series, but it is very racist. I would not have it in my class.

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and funny, Skippyjohn Jones had me laughing out loud. For real! Full review here:

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=4487

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not stand this book. The illustrations of the cover and the cat drew me to this book because it looked like an interesting and cute read, but I couldn't even finish it. I tried, but it just got so annoying and I decided not to waste my time with the rest of the book. First of all, I didn't like how the mom kept calling the cat different nicknames and I felt like she was also really rude. She yelled a lot and I really felt the anger and yelling as I was reading. I would have like it better if the author would have stuck with the cats' names than continue with all the nicknames and make the mom not be as rude or mean. There's also a lot of rhyming in the story. I usually like rhyming, but the rhyming did not appeal to me in this book. Most likely because of the nicknames and also the stereotypes of Hispanic culture later in the story. When I got to that part I felt like it was just really wrong and it turned me off from the book even more.

I tied liking this book, but I just couldn't. It needs better wording or maybe not rhyme as much or not rhyme at all.

[JD JD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skippyjon Jones in The Dog-House written by Judy Schachner is a sweet and silly picture book about a Siamese cat that simply wants to be a Chihuahua. Skippyjon Jones always is trying to think like a Chihuahua and his mother puts him into timeout to try and get him to think more like a Siamese cat. This does not work at all and Skippyjon Jones sneaks out of his house and goes to hang out with his Chihuahua friends. Moreover, this story seems to be a coming of age book about breaking away from being exactly like your family and finding your own path and identity. The author brings in some Spanish phrases which makes this book a good book for children to be introduced to Spanish culture! This was not my favorite book because I felt how it was written was very disorganized which made it hard for me to follow. Lastly, the images were colorful and brought to life Skippyjon Jones’s journey that was being portrayed in the text.

[Samantha Ocampo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting because the Siamese cat wants to be a Chihuahua instead and even tries to act like one. Skippyjon Jones is very imaginative in his journey of being a dog instead of cat also while trying to speak Spanish. The writing style could be confusing when it comes to this because of how much rhyming there is throughout the book while also trying to incorporate Spanish words. While it may appear confusing in some context, it is still very fun to read because of all the different words that are being created from Skippyjon Jones’ imagination. The illustrations also go along with the text very well. It’s kind of crazy how realistic some of the images may be, from the crayon on the wall to the places they go. It almost seems like you are in there experiencing this all with him. I think this is a great, fun read for children who just want a good laugh because there were so many funny things that Skippyjon Jones did.

[Kinley Schnell]

Summary: Skippyjon Jones was a siamese cat who thought he was a chihuahua. He colored all over the walls one day and made his mother very upset. He goes to the “doghouse” where he joins his amigos where he did everything chihuahuas did. But it turns out he was just talking to a bobble head the whole time, “thinking” like a chihuahua.

Thoughts: I used to love these books in Elementary school because they were so entertaining but I would say I got a little lost reading it this time. I think it is a fun story kids can read in the classroom, but I don’t think I would necessarily choose it for a read aloud.

Classroom: I think I would use this book to talk to kids about imagination. I am not really sure how else I would create a lesson plan on this. I would probably have the kids pick an animal that they would want to be and write a story about it.