Review of Jack and Walter in New School Niggles
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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Jack and Walter in New School Niggles" by Paulette Hallam and Charlotte Moerman.]
Beginning school is something almost every kid is nervous about. I know I was! Add to it the idea of shifting to a new school and leaving all your memories and friends behind; it feels all the more jittery and nervous! Similar is the situation for little Jack here, in the story “Jack and Walter in New School Niggles: Will I Make Friends? (Jack and Walter Book Series)” by Paulette Hallam and Charlotte Moerman.
So, Jack has shifted to a new house, and it is already pretty overwhelming for him because he does not like change. Now, he also has to go to a new school, and that is something that is, in Jack's words, giving him a 'jelly-belly.' In other words, Jack is super nervous. In this situation, his family, especially GP (who is Jack's dad's mother and whose full name is not known throughout the book because GP will not reveal it even though Jack has asked her 1 million times), comforts him by motivating him with her ‘GPisms’ (which are GP's pearls of wisdom) and tells him how he will surely make some new friends and that everything is going to be alright; he just needs to be brave.
However, even though Jack pretends to be brave and acts fine in front of them because he does not want his brother, Theo, and sister, Tara, to make fun of him, deep within, he is still feeling anxious. It is in such a scenario that Walter comes into the picture. Walter is actually a squidgy heat bag in the shape of a potato and was made by Jack’s grandma. He wears a smart jacket and a large pair of superhero shorts, and most importantly, he is Jack’s best friend. He is very real to Jack, and he also speaks back to him and gives Jack a dose of his no-judgment motivation. Basically, Walter is someone in front of whom Jack can pour out his heart like water pouring out of a kitchen colander. It goes without saying that they make a great pair of friends.
As Jack snuggles with Walter, he shares how he feels scared about whether he would be able to make any new friends or not, and what if the other kids laughed at him or, worse, ignored him? Would he be able to find the loos? What if the ‘evil-witch dinner lady’ asks him to eat 25 cabbages before he can exit the lunch hall? Walter tells Jack to always keep a smile, be brave, and be like a super-strong basketball player. I loved how this helped Jack and how he also kept a Walter card in his pocket when he needed some instant motivation. So, if you want to know what actually happened at the new school and also if Jack makes any friends or not, then you should surely read this book.
I loved the concept of this book and how beautifully the whole idea of a child's fear of starting a new school was dealt with. I liked how Walter’s character was brought to life in the book through Jack's companion, who was always there by his side, whether he was feeling worried, had hurt his toe by stepping on a Lego, or just needed a hug. The illustrations were also wonderfully done, though I would have loved it if there were even more illustrations, as most of them were just at the beginning of a chapter, and a handful were sprinkled in between. A proper picture book alongside the full story would have worked beautifully. Maybe the authors could think of releasing a new edition. Just a suggestion! I loved the story and the illustrations, anyhow.
I also loved the character of Miss Jenkins, who was Jack's teacher in his new school. The way she handles children with love and warmth was something I appreciated. Even one of GP's ‘GPisms' stayed back with me, and that was, 'You are never fully dressed without a smile.’ The interactive exercises at the end of the book, like answering a list of Walter's questions, cutting out a Walter collectible card, and Jack's dictionary of GPisms, where you need to complete them by writing down the meanings, were such a wonderful addition. I simply loved this idea.
I believe this book is a must-have for every school and library. It will help children in a lot of ways in a fun manner. A lot of kids would be able to relate to the character of Jack. Parents can also read the book along with their child. It can work well as a read-aloud book, too. This is one of the best children's books I have read in a while. Because I have no complaints or dislikes whatsoever, I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The editing is flawless, as I found no errors in the book.
I would recommend this book as a must-have for every school, library, and household with a child.
******
Jack and Walter in New School Niggles
View: on Bookshelves |
Beginning school is something almost every kid is nervous about. I know I was! Add to it the idea of shifting to a new school and leaving all your memories and friends behind; it feels all the more jittery and nervous! Similar is the situation for little Jack here, in the story “Jack and Walter in New School Niggles: Will I Make Friends? (Jack and Walter Book Series)” by Paulette Hallam and Charlotte Moerman.
So, Jack has shifted to a new house, and it is already pretty overwhelming for him because he does not like change. Now, he also has to go to a new school, and that is something that is, in Jack's words, giving him a 'jelly-belly.' In other words, Jack is super nervous. In this situation, his family, especially GP (who is Jack's dad's mother and whose full name is not known throughout the book because GP will not reveal it even though Jack has asked her 1 million times), comforts him by motivating him with her ‘GPisms’ (which are GP's pearls of wisdom) and tells him how he will surely make some new friends and that everything is going to be alright; he just needs to be brave.
However, even though Jack pretends to be brave and acts fine in front of them because he does not want his brother, Theo, and sister, Tara, to make fun of him, deep within, he is still feeling anxious. It is in such a scenario that Walter comes into the picture. Walter is actually a squidgy heat bag in the shape of a potato and was made by Jack’s grandma. He wears a smart jacket and a large pair of superhero shorts, and most importantly, he is Jack’s best friend. He is very real to Jack, and he also speaks back to him and gives Jack a dose of his no-judgment motivation. Basically, Walter is someone in front of whom Jack can pour out his heart like water pouring out of a kitchen colander. It goes without saying that they make a great pair of friends.
As Jack snuggles with Walter, he shares how he feels scared about whether he would be able to make any new friends or not, and what if the other kids laughed at him or, worse, ignored him? Would he be able to find the loos? What if the ‘evil-witch dinner lady’ asks him to eat 25 cabbages before he can exit the lunch hall? Walter tells Jack to always keep a smile, be brave, and be like a super-strong basketball player. I loved how this helped Jack and how he also kept a Walter card in his pocket when he needed some instant motivation. So, if you want to know what actually happened at the new school and also if Jack makes any friends or not, then you should surely read this book.
I loved the concept of this book and how beautifully the whole idea of a child's fear of starting a new school was dealt with. I liked how Walter’s character was brought to life in the book through Jack's companion, who was always there by his side, whether he was feeling worried, had hurt his toe by stepping on a Lego, or just needed a hug. The illustrations were also wonderfully done, though I would have loved it if there were even more illustrations, as most of them were just at the beginning of a chapter, and a handful were sprinkled in between. A proper picture book alongside the full story would have worked beautifully. Maybe the authors could think of releasing a new edition. Just a suggestion! I loved the story and the illustrations, anyhow.
I also loved the character of Miss Jenkins, who was Jack's teacher in his new school. The way she handles children with love and warmth was something I appreciated. Even one of GP's ‘GPisms' stayed back with me, and that was, 'You are never fully dressed without a smile.’ The interactive exercises at the end of the book, like answering a list of Walter's questions, cutting out a Walter collectible card, and Jack's dictionary of GPisms, where you need to complete them by writing down the meanings, were such a wonderful addition. I simply loved this idea.
I believe this book is a must-have for every school and library. It will help children in a lot of ways in a fun manner. A lot of kids would be able to relate to the character of Jack. Parents can also read the book along with their child. It can work well as a read-aloud book, too. This is one of the best children's books I have read in a while. Because I have no complaints or dislikes whatsoever, I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The editing is flawless, as I found no errors in the book.
I would recommend this book as a must-have for every school, library, and household with a child.
******
Jack and Walter in New School Niggles
View: on Bookshelves |
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