Joe and Sparky, Party Animals!

Reviewed by: Barbara Merritt - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 26, 2018

Review

With four short chapters and mostly easy sight works, this book is a good choice for early chapter book readers. The story will keep them amused, though some references (Vegas) may go over their heads. Joe the giraffe and his turtle friend Sparky live in a famous cageless zoo where they come across "noisy short people" having a birthday party. The party looks like a lot of fun, especially the conga dance. Joe manages to ruin the birthday cake then decides to have a party for his worm friend Wiggy. The party is fun, especially the conga dance, the birthday cake gets ruined, but Wiggy is nowhere to be seen. He finally makes an appearance escaping in a hot air balloon. The story is amusing, and will keep young readers' interest.

Overall Book Score: good