By Tammi Sauer
Illustrated by Bob Shea
Published by Paula Wiseman, 2012
Ages: 2-5
Themes: pets, stone age
Opening Lines:
Cave Boy had lots of things. Rocks. Sticks. A club. But no pet.
Synopsis:
Set in a stone age cave, one little caveboy is bemoaning his lack of a pet, proving that this question has been plaguing parents since the dawn of communication. Written in simple 21st century version of homo sapiens sapiens lingo, boy try find different pets. Just as in Melvin and the Boy which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago, stone age parents come up with the same arguments of too large, not house-trained etc. It takes the threat of an imminent stampede of unknown beasties and boy+ potential pets quick thinking to rapidly change the parents’ minds. This proves a win-win for all involved!
Why I like this book:
Sad, but true, I reread this to myself several times chuckling away because I so love caveman speak and all those big woolly mammals and saber tooth tigers. This story has so much universal appeal and I cannot imagine a child who won’t like it. This is a gem of: simple, brief text, sweet humor, great repetition, bold almost crude illustrations and, common theme and satisfying twist at the end. Just love the cat-dander allergy! Me want more like this, Tammi!
“In this Stone Age comedy, Sauer and Shea imagine a child with a demand as old as time.” – Publisher’s Weekly
* 2012 BCCB Blue Ribbon Winner
* 2012 Los Angeles Public Library Best Book of the the Year
* Top Ten Picture Book Read-Aloud of 2012 (Betsy Ramsey Bird, NYPL)
* Scholastic Book Clubs Selection
- The Stone Age for Kids website is a great resource.
- Have kids research and draw which stone age animal they would choose as a pet an why.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
This is great! How did Tammi know how cave people talked?
I’m intrigued to read Tammi’s book because of the cave language. It does have a universal theme for kids and sounds very funny. Looked at the Stone Age for Kids website and really liked it.
This sounds like a fun book!
Love this book. It’s a Tammi classic – LOL! 🙂
Yep, a classic!
Another brilliant idea for a PB. Thanks for sharing, Joanna!
That cover had me rolling on the floor. (I must admit that lots of things get me rolling on the floor.) But that cover is pretty funny! I’m trying to imagine what kind of pet a cave kid would end up with. I’ll have to find this book. Thanks!
Captain Caveman was one of my favorite shows as a kid. This looks fun!
Me want book. Me like cavepeople. Me want know more. Me AWESOME!!! 😉
This book looks like so much fun, Joanna! I can’t believe I have somehow not read it yet! So many books, so little time 🙂 Thank you for adding it to our list!
Love it! Love the language. Great find, Joanna!
Thaanks for your review. Tammi Sauer knows hr stuff!
I love this book.
I love this one, too. The cave man talk is all kinds of fun!