Joey

by Jack Kent

Joey, a young kangaroo, is bored in his mother's pouch and, when he invites his friends over, they show up with play equipment that dismays Joey's mother

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Humor

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

John Wellington "Jack" Kent (1920 – 1985) was an American cartoonist and prolific author-illustrator of children's books. He is perhaps best known as the creator of the comic strip King Aroo. In addition to his own books, he illustrated more than twenty books by other authors.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey hilariously defeats his helicopter mom's attempt to "keep him safe"

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's a cautionary tale for over-protective parents, and it's not strictly needed: as the plot relates, you'll soon live to regret not turning young Joey out for awhile on his own! XD

I'm not sure Joey knew what he was doing. And I think it would only serve as 'instructive' to older children who wouldn't want to read a picture book anyway...

The moral of the story is: if your mom won't let you out, bring the party to her until she snaps and chucks you all out for some GD peace and quiet.

Again, I think it's more like a natural progression of parenthood. You shelter them until they become too annoying and you're rather forced to turn them loose for the sake of your own sanity..! XD

[Matthew Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book by Jack Kent, it will get humorous and quite silly. A mother kangaroo doesn’t want her Joey to get lost. She insists that he stays in her pouch. He gets lonely and asks his mother if his friends can come inside with him. Soon the antics increase as more friends and more of their items go into the pouch. Soon, the mother will have enough of all of it and…well I will not spoil the end. This book brought a smile to my face.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mom won't let Joey go play but told him he could invite his friends over. Will it be too much for mom, will she let Joey grow up a bit?

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fun story about keeping your kids too close.

[Victoria Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book to read. Some kids may be able to relate because the momma Kangaroo is very easy going until it just becomes too much.

[Richard Mendoza]

DFDFSDFSD

[Alexandra Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a helicopter mom learning to loosen up after her son’s friends all drive her nuts.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn’t matter that Joey is a kangaroo. He is an average child in every way. Joey wants to play with his friends, but his mother is worried that he’ll get lost. His mother makes him stay in her pouch at all times so that she will know where he is. When Joey asks to play with his friends, his mother tells him to invite them into her pouch. Her pouch gets filled with four children, some musical instruments, a television and a record player. She finally gets exhausted from carrying everyone around and kicks them out of her pouch.
Joey could effectively be used in a toddler storytime. The reader could involve the children by asking them what they would bring into the pouch to entertain themselves and their friends. A craft could be made that allows the kids to keep putting things in a paper kangaroo’s pouch.
This book will have children and adults bursting into laughter. The pictures are very comedic, so the children will enjoy the crazy scenarios. The adults will sympathize with the overprotective mother, and the children will relate to the child who just wants to leave his mother for a big to go play with his friends.

[Miss Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mom won't let Joey go play but told him he could invite his friends over. Will it be too much for mom, will she let Joey grow up a bit?

[Elanor]

All by herself!