The Snow Day from the Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon Adventures #11

by Mike Thaler, Jared Lee (Illustrator)

THE SNOW DAY FROM THE BLACK When a blizzard hits, Hubie knows that doesn't mean a snow day, it means a no day -- nothing moves, nothing happens. After spending all afternoon zipping zippers, snapping snaps, and buckling buckles, he's finally ready to explore the winter wonderland. Can Hubie plow through his snow-venture or will he be left out in the cold? APRIL FOOLS' DAY FROM THE BLACK It's the end of March, and Hubie is struggling to prepare his pranks for the big day. The whoopee cushion, the rubber tarantula, and the fly in the ice cube just aren't good enough anymore -- not when the worst joke comes from the place he least expects it. The joke's on you in the April Fools' Day from the Black Lagoon! 64 pages each.

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, School, Picture Books, Fantasy

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.

Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”

Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.

Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's snowing, and the kid is wracked with anxiety over putting on his snow clothes and going out.

Can't say as how I blame him.

[Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this snow day story from the Black Lagoon. Children will enjoy the many illustrations and fun story! Thanks, Abby, for sharing it with me before our next snow storm!!!!!

[Will Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was really funny and weird because it i like talking objects it was one of the funniest books i have ever read it has a big abominable snowman

[Tyler Wetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal response:
I liked reading this book to my little brother because it is a book that I read when I was little and it was nice to read something from my childhood. Wyatt liked this book because it was funny. He also liked it because everything was over the top and unrealistic, like the snowman they made that was bigger than a house.

Plot Summary:
The book is about a boy whose name is Hubie whose school gets cancelled because of snow. Hubie then has all day to play, he invites friends over to play outside, they build a snowman, have a snowball fight, and all other of the cliches about snow you can think of. At the end of the book Hubie is going to bed, hoping tomorrow will be a snow day again.

Characterization:
Hubie is a typical boy in elementary school, he hates school, likes to play with friends, and thinks girls have cooties.
Hubie's mom is a mom who is overprotective of her son. She makes him bundle up with a thousand layers. She also makes him stop the snowball fight because someone could get hurt.
Mrs.Green is the teacher in the book series, she calls all of her students to make sure they have fun on their snow day. She is an amazing teacher that all the students like.

Setting:
The setting is in present time at a kids house after a snowstorm. It is important that it is after a snowstorm because that is why there was a snow day. It is important it took place in present time because kids can connect to it easier.

Recommendation:
I recommend this book to boys and girls who are in elementary school. I recommend it to boys and girls because it is meant to be read by all kids not a specific gender. I recommend it to kids in elementary school because that is the reading level it is at and those are the kids that can best connect to the story.

[Molly Toomey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hubie doesn't like snow days. Even though it gets him out of school, he hates the layers of clothes, an endless amount of buttons, and the heavy shoes. Even with all the layers, he bundles up and heads out into the winter wonderland. There, he finds equally bundled up friends, killer snowmen, and a long list of winter survival tips. I love the illustrations and the little lists that will allow students to ease the transition from younger books to chapter books.

[Conquering · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Snow Day from the Black Lagoon is a good first chapter book. The illustrations make the book less intimidating for a young reader. There is humor that makes it an enjoyable read and it can be read in one sitting or divided up over a few smaller reading times.

We have this book in our winter book basket and it is perfect for a snowy day.

I do not recommend the book as a read aloud though. The captions for the pictures are not easily translated out loud.

[Janyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hubie is nervous about the blizzard that is coming to town. He does not like snow days because nothing happens. He hates having to bundle up. However, once it snows he realizes that the snow is not that bad. He has a fun day playing with his friends. They play games and tell scary stories. The following day when he gets to school he needs to write about his snow day.

[Joanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly story about a boy who hates snow and snow days until he has a great one. Jack seemed to like but didn't seem crazy about. I'm sure his request for "one more chapter" had more to do with his desire to stay up a bit later than to find out what happened next!

[Kristan Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was cute. I think that it would hold student's attention because of it's fun and interesting layout and storyline. It was okay, but I think that it could be confusing to some people because of the layout of the text.

[Keshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these books for school, because I think the students can relate to Hubie and what he thinks/feels in these stories. However, I do feel that some of the small additional illustrations and labeling could be confusing to new or reluctant readers. It seems messy at times.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a blizzard coming, which means a snow day. However, to Hubie, who doesn't care too much for snow, it means a no-day, because nothing moves. How will Hubie ever survive the blizzard, and not get exposed to cabin fever?

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a nice and easy read. I read it to my 3 kids and they seemed to enjoy it. This is a good book for early readers. This is also an AR book for those who want to know. I would recommend this book to others.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as as a pre-read for my students. This is a cute read about Hubie who doesn't like snow and has to deal with a snow day. His mom and friends think it is great. It is in chapter format with cartoon slides inserted as well.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

DescriptionWhen a blizzard hits, Hubie knowsd that doesn't mean a snow day, it means a "no day"--nothing moves, nothing happens. After spending all day zipping zippers, snapping snaps, and buckling buckles, he's finally ready to explore the winter wonderland.

[Gage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, good for starters.

[Mackenzie]

it was good silly story.

[Kyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute, quick read aloud for winter that my 4th graders enjoyed. They love the black lagoon books although, as they put it, there wasn't anyone from the black lagoon in it.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was funny and short and easy. That is why I chose it so I could read quickly and keep reading a lot. It was a funny comedy story.

[Isobel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a little easy but it is still reading

[Jxkdk · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

😎

[Alan]

it was cool but not that scary

[Isaac S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The snow day from the black lagoon by Mike thaler. Hudie hate winter and snow Hudie doesn't like to wear a lot of layers of clothes. the night snow it amazes Hudie that how pretty the snow is at night but quickly a white monster by morning. Hudie likes to stay in her bed because its warm dry and safe. It contention to the theme because its scary because Hudie is scared because there is a giant snow monster. I would rate this a 4 stars because it was a good book because it when with the scary theme. I would recommend this book to people who like the black lagoon books.

[Sadie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Lagoon Adventure books bring monsters and fun illustrations to their stories. The book “The Snow Day from the Black Lagoon” shows how a snow day can be fun and enjoyable despite the cold and all the layers that come with staying warm. Written by Mike Thaler and illustrated by Jared D. Lee, this humorous fiction book was published in January 2014 by Abdo Group. It can be read by students ranging from first through fifth grade.

[Ex Libris Animus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a scary story, not even for little kids. The cover is misleading. I found the main kid to be annoyingly negative. The illustrations were fun but the story was bland and all over the place. It has its moments but not a story I plan to read again. It also encouraged to use wet snow in a snowball fight. But overly wet snow makes ice balls which are not ment for fun, kids soft snowball fights. I think that should have been added for safety

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

*I am moving over to Storygraph. If you want to find me there, search for lily046*

I cannot believe this was published in 2008. Before looking at the copyright page, I was convinced it was written in the 1970s or the 1990s at the latest. The story sounds like it was written by an old man: word choices, etc.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book with my kindergarten students and they loved it!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wouldn't a snowman eating a snow cone be cannibalism?

[Ace Ribordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly short story hope I get another one soon!

[Mike Reiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack’s review: “three stars because the snow man monster wasn’t in the book.”

Claire’s review: “99 stars out of 100!”