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Plankton Is Pushy
In this funny, underwater picture book, Plankton says hello to Mussel, but Mussel doesn't say anything back. Plankton tries everything to get quiet Mussel to talk. In fact, Plankton gets VERY pushy about it! Will Mussel ever open his mouth? Kids will relate to Plankton's frustration with Mussel, and they will be anxious to see what happens when Mussel finally does open his mouth... Geisel Award Honoree Jonathan Fenske delivers a laugh-out-loud ocean story, and this is the perfect follow-up to Barnacle is Bored.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published April 25, 2017
4 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Fenske
47 books37 followersJonathan Fenske is the author and illustrator of the leveled readers Woodward and McTwee, Love Is in the Air, Guppy Up!, and A Pig, a Fox, and a Box, which was a 2016 Geisel Honor book. He is also the author of two picture books, Barnacle Is Bored and its follow-up, Plankton Is Pushy. Jonathan lives in South Carolina with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 1, 2017
Plankton is about to learn an important lesson about being too pushy!
April 20, 2017
I'm very clearly plankton. The pushy part, not the greeting stuff. Bah. And I loved that ending.
July 30, 2017
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
A quick and comical read, rife with sarcasm.
A particular plankton is used to eliciting a response from every sea creature it encounters. So when a mulish muscle refuses to respond to its greeting, the plankton can’t just let it go. First the plankton gets louder. Then it tries persistence. When that doesn’t pay off, it progresses to impatient prompting. And then begging, followed by condescension. In the end, Plankton receives a snappish lesson in social graces.
The book’s artwork is vivid, cartoonish, and playful—full of demonstrative poses and expressions on simple near-pastel backgrounds that will clearly convey emotion to even the youngest range of readers. The font is large and sparsely spaced out, making it more ideal for the earliest readers, but with a “biting” humor older kids may better grasp.
Unfortunately, the copy I received for review was unbound. So I can’t comment about the quality of its cover. Also unfortunately, my daughter dropped the book before we had a chance to open it, and much time was spent trying to sort out the loose pages into the right order (which I’m still not entirely sure we accomplished.)
All in all, a potential visual training aid for kids who have trouble knowing when to leave well enough alone. Painlessly humorous for parents!
A quick and comical read, rife with sarcasm.
A particular plankton is used to eliciting a response from every sea creature it encounters. So when a mulish muscle refuses to respond to its greeting, the plankton can’t just let it go. First the plankton gets louder. Then it tries persistence. When that doesn’t pay off, it progresses to impatient prompting. And then begging, followed by condescension. In the end, Plankton receives a snappish lesson in social graces.
The book’s artwork is vivid, cartoonish, and playful—full of demonstrative poses and expressions on simple near-pastel backgrounds that will clearly convey emotion to even the youngest range of readers. The font is large and sparsely spaced out, making it more ideal for the earliest readers, but with a “biting” humor older kids may better grasp.
Unfortunately, the copy I received for review was unbound. So I can’t comment about the quality of its cover. Also unfortunately, my daughter dropped the book before we had a chance to open it, and much time was spent trying to sort out the loose pages into the right order (which I’m still not entirely sure we accomplished.)
All in all, a potential visual training aid for kids who have trouble knowing when to leave well enough alone. Painlessly humorous for parents!
April 30, 2017
First sentence: Why, hello, Mister Mussel! I said, "HELLO, MISTER MUSSEL!" Well, that is just RUDE! Let me tell you how this works.
Premise/plot: When Plankton greets "Mister Mussel" and doesn't get a response, well, Plankton gets PUSHY. Also frustrated, exasperated, and sarcastic. Will Mister Mussel open his mouth and speak? Will Plankton really want him to when all is said and done?
My thoughts: For readers--young and old--who like picture books with twist-endings, this is a fun treat. I'd also recommend it to anyone who read and loved Barnacle is Bored. I think if you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably like this one as well. I haven't quite figured out how to voice Plankton, but, I'm going to guess that it can be done and done well. (Maybe not by me...but we'll see. Barnacle is Bored is one of my favorite read alouds.)
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
Premise/plot: When Plankton greets "Mister Mussel" and doesn't get a response, well, Plankton gets PUSHY. Also frustrated, exasperated, and sarcastic. Will Mister Mussel open his mouth and speak? Will Plankton really want him to when all is said and done?
My thoughts: For readers--young and old--who like picture books with twist-endings, this is a fun treat. I'd also recommend it to anyone who read and loved Barnacle is Bored. I think if you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably like this one as well. I haven't quite figured out how to voice Plankton, but, I'm going to guess that it can be done and done well. (Maybe not by me...but we'll see. Barnacle is Bored is one of my favorite read alouds.)
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
May 11, 2017
This is a fun picture book from the author of Barnacle is Bored. Plankton says "hello" to Mussel, but becomes very bothered when Mussel doesn't answer back. Plankton won't give up and continues to try to get a "hello" back. There's a fun twist in the end that will have young readers giggling for sure.
December 12, 2016
That's pretty funny. I think fans of Mo Willems might appreciate this one.
January 3, 2017
I will never tire of these sarcastic humor books.
February 19, 2017
Funny story about manners. Fans of Pig is a Pug and Jon Klassen's Hat trilogy will like the humor in this one.
February 23, 2017
What a funny story about a dominating personality.
June 10, 2017
I didn't expect that ending. Kids will love it!
June 28, 2017
Cute book about not being rude.
August 28, 2017
Cute story about a plankton that thinks a muscle is being rude by not saying hello to him.
October 17, 2021
I'm still giggling over this one.
What a funny ending.
This story is incredibly simple, it's a pared down graphic novel, reliant only on drawings of the characters and dialogue. There is nothing in the background to distract the reader and the bright colors of the background are a little jarring, but the plankton is...hilarious. He's officious, sanctimonious, and condescending and all of this comes through the art perfectly.
Despite the simplicity, the pacing is great and the whole narrative builds to a great climax.
Excellent.
I'm going to go read it again.
Story: Narrative
Art: Bare
Price: $14.99
What a funny ending.
This story is incredibly simple, it's a pared down graphic novel, reliant only on drawings of the characters and dialogue. There is nothing in the background to distract the reader and the bright colors of the background are a little jarring, but the plankton is...hilarious. He's officious, sanctimonious, and condescending and all of this comes through the art perfectly.
Despite the simplicity, the pacing is great and the whole narrative builds to a great climax.
Excellent.
I'm going to go read it again.
Story: Narrative
Art: Bare
Price: $14.99
January 3, 2024
Decent plot twist. Easy to read picture book. Small children find it funny over and over again.
January 24, 2019
As I started this book I thought it might have great potential to teach kids an important lesson about not assuming someone is rude simply because they didn’t respond.
As a child I often was assumed to be rude because I wasn’t overly loud. In this case I thought maybe the mussel didn’t say hello because he was deaf. Instead what we have here is a series of pages of the plankton being quite rude to the mussel for not returning his greeting and the implication that the mussel mighty speak another language.
Frankly I’m disappointed as I would have greatly preferred a book that helps kids see that there’s no reason to assume or harass someone for not doing what’s expected of them, even if that expectation is the social norm. Yes some people are rude and don’t say hello. But some people are hard of hearing, speak other languages or don’t speak very loud themselves and I know from experience it can be quite painful as a child to be “in trouble” for something that’s not your fault.
Long story short the plankton is in fact pushy but he does not learn anything by the end of the book that would benefit him growing out of this.
As a child I often was assumed to be rude because I wasn’t overly loud. In this case I thought maybe the mussel didn’t say hello because he was deaf. Instead what we have here is a series of pages of the plankton being quite rude to the mussel for not returning his greeting and the implication that the mussel mighty speak another language.
Frankly I’m disappointed as I would have greatly preferred a book that helps kids see that there’s no reason to assume or harass someone for not doing what’s expected of them, even if that expectation is the social norm. Yes some people are rude and don’t say hello. But some people are hard of hearing, speak other languages or don’t speak very loud themselves and I know from experience it can be quite painful as a child to be “in trouble” for something that’s not your fault.
Long story short the plankton is in fact pushy but he does not learn anything by the end of the book that would benefit him growing out of this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2017
This book is great at any time of the year in a classroom when you want to remind students that being pushy, or bossy, can have some nasty consequences. No, in real life you won't be eaten by a mussel, but there are some natural consequences that might occur. It is a great way to get the conversation started. I also adore that this book, like Barnacle is Bored, starts on the end papers and even includes Barnacle for the kids to find. I love using it in the Environments/Food Chain unit of science as well, to have some fun. Finally, this book is wonderful for inferences as well since the expressions say as much, if not more, than the words.
August 11, 2017
Fenske, author-illustrator behind the delightfully zany Barnacle is Bored, is back with a follow-up of sorts. No Barnacle this time, but starring a pink plankton, Plankton is Pushy is a Mo Willems’-esque story about manners and patience. Plankton is a surprisingly determined protagonist, and readers of all ages will be on edge to see what happens when his silent- and arguably impolite co-star- Mussel- finally reacts.
October 15, 2017
Made me laugh out loud! "Killer" ending.
May 11, 2017
Plankton says hello to Mussel and is frustrated when Mussel doesn't say anything back. Refusing to give up, Plankton hangs around and tries to coax a response out of Mussel only to sorta kinda get the desired response.
Nice surprise ending. Overall, a fun read aloud for PreK-2 with digital artwork.
Nice surprise ending. Overall, a fun read aloud for PreK-2 with digital artwork.
May 7, 2017
This is like a weird hybrid picture book-easy/early reader, but in a good way. Also, this one is way better than Barnacle is Bored. I think this book would do well as a read aloud to preschoolers as long as you put some emotion into it.
Read
September 1, 2020My three year old cracked up to this book. A comical book full of sarcasm and a surprise ending. He went on to "read" this to me once we were done, and basically got all the words down without actually reading it.
August 23, 2017
LOVE this series of books! I think that some people would question whether it would be entirely child-appropriate, but to heck with that! I LOVE THEM!
September 17, 2017
Sometimes the strong silent type gets the last word.
October 28, 2017
From the author of Barnacle Is Bored, this picture book contains a wry reminder about the results of being just a little bit too pushy and insistent. Plankton is a friendly fellow, and he loves greeting everyone he meets. When he encounters Mussel, he gets no response to his friendly overtures. Mussel just sits there, waiting, refusing to utter a syllable or open his mouth. This frustrated Plankton, who goes to great lengths to elicit a response from his would-be friend, even begging. When he finally does respond, it's not in the way Plankton expects. Young readers will enjoy hearing this story and reading it for themselves while also realizing that sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone. The simple digital illustrations add to the pleasures of reading the story. The fact that Plankton simply will not stop talking, even on the very last page, will amuse readers, of course, perhaps reminding them of some folks they know who tend to do the same.
December 14, 2017
Jonathan Fenske has written another ocean centered picture book but this time it is a plankton and mussel who take center stage. The plankton comes upon Mr Mussel and politely says hello. There is no response. This repeats itself a couple of times with plankton getting into the manners of meeting another person or animal, how it is polite to say hello back. Mussel still does not speak. He does open his mouth a little, and when he plankton comes closer(spoiler alert) eats it.
The illustrations in this picture book remind me of the style of Jan thomas (Rhyming dust bunnies, what will fat cat sit on); repetition of simple text, black outlined characters, and a humorous ending although this one is a little more blunt than Thomas endings, since the main character gets eaten.
This book could be a great story next to an ocean unit for the very young.
Pre-Kindergarten
Written
AD+
The illustrations in this picture book remind me of the style of Jan thomas (Rhyming dust bunnies, what will fat cat sit on); repetition of simple text, black outlined characters, and a humorous ending although this one is a little more blunt than Thomas endings, since the main character gets eaten.
This book could be a great story next to an ocean unit for the very young.
Pre-Kindergarten
Written
AD+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
Fenske, Jonathan Plankton is Pushy. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic, 2017. $15.
Plankton sidles up and says hello to Mr. Mussel, who has nothing to say back. Plankton is persistent, however and finally gets a reaction out of Mussel – but probably not the one he was looking for!
Fenske is back again with another sly, wry look at life in the ocean. I love his illustration style so much! This book will give young listeners just enough heebie-jeebies to make them squirm as they approach every time.
Pre-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Plankton sidles up and says hello to Mr. Mussel, who has nothing to say back. Plankton is persistent, however and finally gets a reaction out of Mussel – but probably not the one he was looking for!
Fenske is back again with another sly, wry look at life in the ocean. I love his illustration style so much! This book will give young listeners just enough heebie-jeebies to make them squirm as they approach every time.
Pre-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
November 26, 2018
Plankton says high to Mr. Mussel, but Mr. Mussel doesn't reply. Plankton proceeds to badger Mr. Mussel, telling him how rude he is not to answer (not realizing his behavior has grown rude as well). Eventually, Mr. Mussel "answers" by eating Plankton to shut him up.
I used this one during "good manners" storytime. It was a good storytime book. First I got to explain to the kids what plankton and mussels are, and we had some good discussion during the book about whether Plankton's pushy behavior was nice. Everyone loved the ending, and we followed it up with one of our favorite songs, "Slippery Fish".
I used this one during "good manners" storytime. It was a good storytime book. First I got to explain to the kids what plankton and mussels are, and we had some good discussion during the book about whether Plankton's pushy behavior was nice. Everyone loved the ending, and we followed it up with one of our favorite songs, "Slippery Fish".
January 28, 2024
When my daughter saw this book advertised in the back of another book she demanded we get it to read. I requested from the library and my daughter has read it two night in a row lol (well I still have to help her a bit). This one was cute and plankton is a character from the Crabby books so my daughter liked that. And the ending made her laugh and laugh. Way to hit another book out of the park!
We would recommend this one for sure.
(She did mentioned that she wants more plankton books HINT HINT, and also that this one is better than Barnacle is Bored).
We would recommend this one for sure.
(She did mentioned that she wants more plankton books HINT HINT, and also that this one is better than Barnacle is Bored).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews