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Cesar Takes a Break
When the children are away…the animals will play. Susan Collins Thoms makes a sparkling picture book debut with this hilarious story of class pets on the loose; colorful and humorous pictures by Québécois artist Rogé add to the great fun.
Life is great for Cesar the iguana. After all, he went from living in Pets-A-Plenty to an excellent new home in Ms. Lee’s elementary school classroom—with 25 best friends to pamper him. But now spring break has arrived, the kids are gone, and poor Cesar’s a puddle of sadness. Until…he takes a vacation too! From classroom to classroom he wanders, meeting all the other school pets and making hilarious notes in his journal.
Before long, he’s feasting on strawberries, dancing the Iguana Shuffle, and playing hockey in the teacher’s lounge. Will he ever want to return to his cage?
Cesar’s having a blast—and young readers will too!
Life is great for Cesar the iguana. After all, he went from living in Pets-A-Plenty to an excellent new home in Ms. Lee’s elementary school classroom—with 25 best friends to pamper him. But now spring break has arrived, the kids are gone, and poor Cesar’s a puddle of sadness. Until…he takes a vacation too! From classroom to classroom he wanders, meeting all the other school pets and making hilarious notes in his journal.
Before long, he’s feasting on strawberries, dancing the Iguana Shuffle, and playing hockey in the teacher’s lounge. Will he ever want to return to his cage?
Cesar’s having a blast—and young readers will too!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2008
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 8, 2018
Funny story about class pets having their own “vacation” full of adventures while their classes are on spring break. It’s a bit long, so younger children lose interest. My kids especially loved some of the silly antics and the iguana facts at the end of the book.
November 29, 2008
I cannot wait to read this cute, clever, and soulful book aloud. I will use my Ricardo Montalban voice.
September 21, 2022
It's spring break and Cesar the iguana is left all alone in the classroom. Dissatisfied to stay alone doing nothing, he ventures out into the school. He meets a guinea pig and together they do all sorts of fun activities and meet all the other classroom pets that have been left behind. He's had so much fun enjoying his freedom, will he go back to being a classroom pet again?
This was such a cute story. It was fun to catch a glimpse of familiar school things told from the eyes of a classroom pet. There were sweet moments as well, such as when the iguana fulfills turtle's lifelong wish for him through some imaginative creativity. Iguana also trades a reptiles book for a mammals book with guinea pig, and actually learns a thing or too more about his furry friend.
This was such a cute story. It was fun to catch a glimpse of familiar school things told from the eyes of a classroom pet. There were sweet moments as well, such as when the iguana fulfills turtle's lifelong wish for him through some imaginative creativity. Iguana also trades a reptiles book for a mammals book with guinea pig, and actually learns a thing or too more about his furry friend.
July 11, 2018
I found it rambling and the kids have shown zero interest in revisiting it.
January 3, 2009
When I was student teaching, I remember the day we got a new class pet. I led students in voting to name the new goldfish. Everyone had two votes and they picked from a list of names we had already brainstormed. It was serious business, folks. Class pets maintain a pretty high profile in schools. Love ‘em or not, they instantly capture kid’s affection upon entering a classroom. “Cesar Takes a Break” focuses on one such animal and his adventures over spring break. Kids who like a touch of ridiculousness in their books will be pleased.
The first clue that this one is going to be silly (besides the cover) is when, on the first page, we realize that our hero Cesar, a green iguana, will be telling the entire story through journal entries. First-iguana narration is not for those who are looking for the next great cerebral picture book. This journal entry style gives the whole operation a distinct “Diary of a Worm” feel.
When Cesar gets left behind during vacation he strikes out from his second grade home and explores the school. Through the course of discovering the art room, the gym, the cafeteria, and bumping into other class pets, Cesar realizes that spring break isn’t just for humans. As class is set to resume, the green iguana must decide whether or not to return to the class who loves him.
Rogé’s acrylic illustrations have a bright, childlike quality that is well suited for the lighthearted subject matter. There’s even a page in the back with iguana facts (written by Cesar) to provide some additional knowledge.
While it may extend just a hair over where I think it should, “Cesar Takes a Break” is still a worthwhile pick for young readers devoted to the class pet.
The first clue that this one is going to be silly (besides the cover) is when, on the first page, we realize that our hero Cesar, a green iguana, will be telling the entire story through journal entries. First-iguana narration is not for those who are looking for the next great cerebral picture book. This journal entry style gives the whole operation a distinct “Diary of a Worm” feel.
When Cesar gets left behind during vacation he strikes out from his second grade home and explores the school. Through the course of discovering the art room, the gym, the cafeteria, and bumping into other class pets, Cesar realizes that spring break isn’t just for humans. As class is set to resume, the green iguana must decide whether or not to return to the class who loves him.
Rogé’s acrylic illustrations have a bright, childlike quality that is well suited for the lighthearted subject matter. There’s even a page in the back with iguana facts (written by Cesar) to provide some additional knowledge.
While it may extend just a hair over where I think it should, “Cesar Takes a Break” is still a worthwhile pick for young readers devoted to the class pet.
January 11, 2011
I bought this for the Nook color when i was looking for books with the read to me feature.This story was so fun and entertaining for me and my children! The illustrations are wonderful the narration for the Nook Color read to me is very catchy and doesn't sound boring at all. The story was easy to follow for my 6 & 9 year old kids and i felt it was the perfect length, not long enough to loose their attention but not so short that it feels like a waste of money. This book quickly became a favorite and now I have to pry the nook color away from them!
I highly recommend!!
story line 5/5
illustrations 5/5
narration 4.5/5
re-readability 5/5
I highly recommend!!
story line 5/5
illustrations 5/5
narration 4.5/5
re-readability 5/5
December 2, 2009
A fun story that would be perfect for any classroom with pets. A bit longer than our normal picture books, but the diary-style entries broke it up nicely. Had some cute wordplay with a turtle named Peace, along with other little humorous bits. It also had lots of good learning material about iguanas, both interspersed in the story and separately at the end of the book. Well done.
November 20, 2008
This is probably a book I will end up buying. Amazing debut.
February 4, 2009
Delightful book about a lizard's spring break. I'll love doing this one at Circle Time.
July 9, 2009
Fun story of a school-pet iguana who gets bored and lonely on spring break--till he meets other school pets.
July 16, 2011
Cesar is devastated when his class goes off and leaves him for spring break. He wanders out and has some adventures of his own. Great story and excellent illustrations. A keeper!
March 8, 2013
This is my 8 yr old son's favorite Nook book. Perfect for his age, and one we have recommended to others.
April 6, 2013
Cesar, the pet iguana of a 2nd grade classroom, keeps a diary of his days surrounding spring break.
January 16, 2016
Charming illustrations, humor will be appealing to children. I liked the fact page at the back of the book.
June 17, 2016
Sue Thoms is a wonderful writer -- and a super nice person! This is a great story for kids of any ages.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews