Kangaroo Stew

by Norman Bridwell

Book by Bridwell, Norman

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

Paperback

First published July 1, 1979

About the author

Norman Bridwell was an American author and cartoonist, best-known for the Clifford the Big Red Dog series of children's books. Bridwell attended John Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lived on Martha's Vineyard, MA, where he wrote an average of two books a year.

Reviews

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars -- I had mixed feelings on this one. Two children decide they're going to make "kangaroo stew," so the boy visits the zoo looking for one of the unique animals. The zookeeper hands off a kangaroo who is "old" and "maybe can be used."

The kids are on board with turning the kangaroo into stew until they realize they have to chop him up, and they decide they can never do this. So they're on the hunt for boxed or canned or frozen kangaroo, but what ends up is another live 'roo leaping out of the container and crashing the house. "Kangaroo stew" ends up being a bunch of 'roos acting as chefs and helping the kids prepare dinner.

So on one hand, you have the wacky, Looney Tunes- style scenario, as well as the positive content of the kids making the connection between a live animal and an ingredient. To most readers, this is just going to be a silly story and it will end there. But I really don't like the zookeeper who just hands off his charges to be "used" because he is bored with them.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best types of children's books. Very brief, to the point and very funny. Yes, it's a bit gruesome if you think about it, but a lot of small children love that. And like the best stories, it all ends happily ever after.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. The author visited my grade school ages ago and I got an autographed copy. My kids love this book, too, but not many people have heard of it!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% will be adding to my collection. I laughed out loud at the unpredictability of this and was so glad to have read it!