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Title: The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country! by Lane Smith ISBN: 0-670-03594-7 Publisher: Viking Childrens Books Pub. Date: May, 2003 Format: School & Library Binding Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75
Rating: 4
Summary: A kids' book for mom & dad...
Comment: Rarely does a children's book come along that appeals more to adults than kids (Shel Silverstein's "Uncle Shelby's A B Z Book" comes to mind), but for out and out cynicism nothing can beat Lane Smith's "The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country".
Smith has established himself as a major force in children's books winning many awards not only his zany illustration style that has graced many other authors' titles, but also for the stories he authors alone. His campy and somewhat bitter look at the world guarantees an amusing story, and his off-kilter approach endears him to children.
In this latest work, Smith revisits his Hocky family after more than a decade, this time putting the hapless city-dwellers out in the hollers of the country. Writing slice of life mini-stories, he follows the Hockys as they are overwhelmed by their new surroundings. Ineptly stumbling through the adjustment, they make the reader wonder if they will eventually be consumed by a pack of roaming wolves. Yet somehow, against all odds, the family turn its misfortunes into triumph at the conclusion.
The spare Art Deco meets Cubist illustrations are rendered on kraft paper-like pages and are charming in their retro look. The style makes it seem as if the world is coming apart at the joints. And while the appearance of the cover art and pages makes the book look "cheap" it is well made and definitely high quality.
Younger children will get lost in this book, though. The "wink-wink" style of humor will sail over most kids' heads, appealing more to adults. As a family that did just what the Hocky's did, jettisoning suburban life for a "Green Acres" existence, my wife and I howled at the scenarios the author depicts - they were spot on. Our son, though, didn't get the jokes, but still laughed because we were.
Loved the book, but maybe for mom and dad more than for the kiddies. Still, every child needs a book in his collection that mommy and daddy want to pick up and read first, and "The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country" is just that book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Funny? Yes. Also meaningful.
Comment: This book *is* very very funny, but I think by the reviews I've read, people are missing the point. The Happy Hocky Family is happy - regardless. No matter what life throws at them, they always face it with optimism. So what if your favorite caterpillar turns into a butterfly and escapes? You still have the cool jar, right? Buy the book to laugh, but learn the lesson of the Hockys. Be happy - regardless. Life is too tragic to let the little things slip by unappreciated.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great!
Comment: This is not as funny as the first Happy Hocky Family book, but what is? I consider "Happy Hocky Family" to be the funniest book I have ever read. I laughed so hard I cried, coughed, and drooled. This sequel, while not quite THAT funny, is still funnier than most. The art and writing are great. The humor in this book may be a little more accessible to children than the first book.
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Title: The Happy Hocky Family by Lane Smith ISBN: 0670852066 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: September, 1993 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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Title: Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller ISBN: 0805062831 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller ISBN: 0805058028 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: October, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Pinocchio, the Boy: Incognito in Collodi by Lane Smith ISBN: 0670035858 Publisher: Viking Childrens Books Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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Title: Morris the Artist by Lore Segal, Boris Kulikov ISBN: 0374350639 Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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