July 24, 2006
When hearing Cartwright create the voices of McDonald's cast, it's not hard to see why she was chosen as the voice talent for one of the best-known TV characters of all time, Bart Simpson: she has the perfect voice for rebellious kids. Cartwright, who learned her craft from Daws Butler, the performer who gave voice to Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, and many others for Hanna-Barbera, knows from her animation experience how to distill full drama into an audio-only performance. Stink, whom Cartwright depicts as having a chronically stuffed-up nose, is played a tad lower-key than Bart, but he shares the same energetic and buoyant laugh. When he receives 10 pounds of candy in the mail as a result of writing a letter of complaint (his jaw remained unbroken after eating a huge jawbreaker), it inspires a whole letter-writing campaign. In keeping with Stink's kid-like interpretation of things, more than 30 giggle-inducing idioms appear here (e.g. "cost and arm and a leg") which Cartwright reels off at the end of the story, making it not only a boisterously entertaining audiobook, but a delightful educational tool as well. Ages 5-8.
April 10, 2006
When hearing Cartwright create the voices of McDonald's cast, it's not hard to see why she was chosen as the voice talent for one of the best-known TV characters of all time, Bart Simpson: she has the perfect voice for rebellious kids. Cartwright, who learned her craft from Daws Butler, the performer who gave voice to Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, and many others for Hanna-Barbera, knows from her animation experience how to distill full drama into an audio-only performance. Stink, whom Cartwright depicts as having a chronically stuffed-up nose, is played a tad lower-key than Bart, but he shares the same energetic and buoyant laugh. When he receives 10 pounds of candy in the mail as a result of writing a letter of complaint (his jaw remained unbroken after eating a huge jawbreaker), it inspires a whole letter-writing campaign. In keeping with Stink's kid-like interpretation of things, more than 30 giggle-inducing idioms appear here (e.g. "cost and arm and a leg") which Cartwright reels off at the end of the story, making it not only a boisterously entertaining audiobook, but a delightful educational tool as well. Ages 5-8.
October 1, 2006
Gr 2-4-Megan McDonald shifts the focus from the title character in her popular Judy Moody series of books to Judys seven-year-old brother, Stink, in this novel (Candlewick, 2006). Stink purchases a gigantic jawbreaker that he thoroughly enjoys through its diminishing size and exotic flavors, but realizes that it didnt fulfill its promise because his jaw is still intact. He writes a letter of complaint to the company and is astounded when he receives ten pounds of jawbreakers as compensation. His success encourages him to write similar letters to three other companies, and he receives goodies from them all. After his parents forbid him to write any more letters, his attention turns to an upcoming pajama day at school. Pajama problems and the realization that he missed his best friends birthday party due to his letter writing obsession make the dress down event a disaster. Stinks father comes to the rescue with an idea that repairs a friendship and teaches Stink an important lesson. Nancy Cartwright assumes a distinct, childlike voice for each youngster. This engaging, versatile beginning chapter book will have a multitude of uses in the classroom, such as motivating students at the beginning of a letter writing unit or during a lesson on idioms (since Stink learns about idioms at school and uses them throughout the book)."Carol Y. Barker, Wheelerville School, Caroga Lake, NY"
Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.