Cats

Genre
Humorous stories
Picture books for children
Tone
Funny
Writing Style
Wordplay-filled
Illustration
Colorful
Subject
Cats
Chihuahuas (Dogs)
Imagination
Jones, Skippyjon (Fictitious character)
Pretending
Siamese cat

My son adored these books, fun and imaginative. Fun for including Spanish. ( )

Cute book from my childhood. Happy to have stumbled across it again. ( )

Am I the only person who loathes this book? It makes me cringe. The Spanglish is borderline offensive. Skippyjon is cute, but why do all the chihuahuas have to constantly talk about frijoles and banditos? Ugh, just awful. Maybe I'm hypersensitive due to my proximity to the Mexico border but it just seems really, really ill advised. Please note, I did ask 2 actual Spanish speaking coworkers if they found it offensive and they did not, so it's probably just me. ( )

I knew I had to include this in my entries as this was my absolute favorite book as a child. The writing in this book is very descriptive and engaging. This book also uses a lot of figurative language to paint the picture of what is going on. This book also has great illustrations that keep students engaged. The characters in this book are cats, but they are very well thought out and even show relationships between the characters.The point of view is from a third person outsider and the plot is very organized and yet silly. The story is silly, a cat wanting to be a chihuahua, but I think it delivers great messages. It talks about things like being proud of who you are, as well as following your dreams.

Skippyjon Jones is a magnificent picture storybook that has a Scholastic Readability level of K-2. This story highlights the life of a Siamese cat named Skippyjon Jones. He is constantly imagining himself to be other animals like birds. His mother constantly reminds him that he is a Siamese cat and that he should act like one. However, Skippyjon Jones imagination and desire to explore the cultures around him sends him on an adventure as a Chihuahua in Mexico. Throughout the book, simple Spanish words are mixed in and demonstrated beautifully with explicit, vivid illustrations that will help students deduce their meaning. The connection between the Spanish words and the pictures will help students add words from a different language to their vocabulary by hearing it used in a meaningfully context. If I were to use this story in my classroom, I would encourage the students to look at the pictures and try to figure out what the Spanish word may mean. At the end of the story, Skippyjon Jones acknowledges that he is happy to be a Siamese cat, but loves to explore. Following the story, I would have students choose a new identity. They would pick a name, place to live, food to eat, and things to do. That would help foster their creativity and give them the chance to consider and explore the lives that others live around the world. ( )

Technically, this book was read to me, rather than me reading it myself! ( )

Loved this tale of a Siamese cat who imagines he's a Chihauhau. As Skippito Bandito, Skippyjon has a great adventure and even throws in a little Spanish lesson. My 4-yr-old niece requests this one again & again. Her new phrase is "Holy frijoles!" ( )

Read a kazillions times because my niece and nephew love it.

Skippyjon Jones, is sent to his room to contemplate what it means to be a cat, but instead embarks on an imaginary adventure in which his Zorro-like alter ego, El Skippito, rescues a group of chihuahuas from a bean-eating bumblebee.

This book is about a cat who acts like everything else but a cat. One day, he makes a trip inside his closet for an adventure. ( )

Summary: This book is about a naughty cat who thinks he’s a chihuahua. His mom locks him in his room for a time out and he begins to imagine he is in Mexico wither other chihuahuas. He fights some kind of crime while he is his imaginary world.
Opinion: Honestly I think it was a little bit stereotyped and racist because there was fake Spanish in it and Skippyjonjones was pretending to be Mexican. I’m not sure if there was really a moral. I wouldn’t be comfortable reading this book to a group of kids. The illustrations are cute though. ( )

Skippy jon jones is a Siamese cat who pretends to be other animals and he gets in trouble for it by his mother. One day while he is grounded, skippy looks in the mirror and sees himself as a Chihuahua. He identifies as a hispanic chihuahua warrior. He enters his closet and enters the desert in Mexico where he meets chihuahuas that go by the name of "Los Chimichangos". Los Chimichangos think that skippy is the dog of their dreams as skippy tells them the password. They celebrate and have a fiesta as they practically worship skippy. Skippy finds out abut the "Great Bumblebeeto" whom takes all of Los Chimichangos' beans and now he is coming for Los chimichangos because they are full of beans. All of Los Chimichangos expect Skippy to fight the Great Bumblebeeto because they think skippy is a warrior. The Great Bumblebeeto comes and tries to fight the scared skippy but skippy slays the Great Bumblebeeto and a ton of beans fall out of him. Skippy after comes back out of his closet as his mom goes to get him. That night, Skippy is so happy that he saved the day. He tells us that he has a mind of his own and will always be a Chihuahua. I believe that this story is great for grades first through fourth as it tells an excellent story about imagination and that anyone can be anyone as long as they put their mind to it. I would definitely incorporate this story into one of my lessons as a teacher. This book also contains a few Spanish words which may make ELLs feel represented inside this story. ( )

Curtis LOVES these... so entertaining. ( )

This is such an adorable book. How can you not love a book about a siamese cat who thinks he's a chihuahua because his ears are too big. It is also so silly and fun to read it with voices and be over dramatic about it. Its so fun and kids get so into it and excited and so much giggling. ( )

Fun, imaginative book that tells the story of a young siamese cat who wants to be a chihauchua and uses elements of Mexican heritage and the Spanish language throughout. ( )

This book is a great way to incorporate some rhyming words. SkippyJon Jones, has a great imagination that takes him through an adventure while in trouble for being where he is not supposed to be. I would love to use this book to help reinforce rhyming words within this book. Genre: Picture Book ( )

This book is about a young siamese cat who believes he is anything but. He travels deep into his closet and takes on the personality of a Chihuahua and fights the great bandito so that his new friends can get their beans back to make their burritos. ( )

This book is about a cat who pretends he is a Chihuahua. He does this to explore the Latino heitage.

Summary; This book is about a siamese cat that acts more different than his siblings. Skippyjon Jones likes to jump on his bed that bothers his mom but he goes through an adventure when he's in his room taking him to "old mexico" to be the greatest hero out there fighting next to dogs fearing no "bandito" his mind is very creative and its a great folk book to bring to children. If I used this to teaching kids It would be used more to show diversity and imagination. The message it shows kids is that they can be whatever they like to be even if people doubt them. This book brings back the cultural aspect of "Zorro" the sword having bandito fighting cat. Recommend! ( )

I can use this book to show students that you can be anything you want! ( )

Fun story of a siamese cat who thinks he is a chihuahua who has a huge imagination. In his closet Skippy experiences amazing adventures with his chihuahua pack. I love the nick names his momma gives him and his sisters Jezebel, Jilly Boo and Ju-Ju Bee. A bit of a tongue twister to read out loud but worth the smiles and giggles you will get from your kids.

Summary:
Skippyjon Jones sees himself in a mirror and pretends he is a chihuahua. He imagines his closet is a place in old Mexico, where he meets many other chihuahuas who have been waiting for him. He creates many characters for himself, even if he is only a cat.
Review:
This book is a great example of a fantasy because it features talking animals who wear clothes and live in a house much like people do.
The pictures are done by Oil pastel.
Comments on use:
Children would like to read this book because it is a wonderful fantasy which would enrich their imagination.
Children will enjoy the humorous story.
Age appropriateness:
primary

In this Skippyjon Jones book, Skippyjon Jones sees himself in a mirror and pretends he is a chihuahua. He imagines his closet is a place in old Mexico, where he meets many other chihuahuas who have been waiting for him. The adventure concludes with Skippyjon Jones defeating El Blimpo Bumblebeeto Bandito. Skippyjon Jones values his imagination and creativity and creates many characters for himself, even if he is only a cat. This book does a good job at incorporating imagination and the Spanish language to better engage children. Genre - Picture Book.