| Title | : | A Prickly Problem (Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1627798757 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781627798754 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 112 |
| Publication | : | First published April 10, 2018 |
When the Tate family dog, Ajax, has a run-in with a porcupine, things get prickly―and dangerous―quickly. It'll take Callie's quick thinking and doctoring, along with a little help from Dr. Pritzker, to make things right. Will Ajax learn to leave other critters alone?
From Jacqueline Kelly, the author of the acclaimed books, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate, comes a series for younger readers, featuring a smart and spunky heroine and the lushly imagined world of turn-of-the-century Texas.
A Prickly Problem (Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet #4) Reviews
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Won this here on GR and read it before passing it on to my kiddies. I found it a sweet little story about a girl who wants to be a vet. I especially liked the narrative style (the way Calpurnia told her story). But I was a bit iffy on the inclusion the poor family that Calpurnia's wealthier family donated to. I suspect that's actually set up for a future book. All in all, I found nothing objectionable enough to prevent me letting my little ones read it.
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One thing I'm appreciating about this series is how solid the science is. Calpurnia uses logic effortlessly. The descriptions of animal behavior feel genuine.
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We had gotten the original two books (The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and its sequel) and will NOT be finishing them. I reviewed the first one with some content considerations I wish I had known before my daughter read almost 150 pages.
So it was with a decent amount of trepidation I began skim reading these before clearing them.
Likes: the illustrator, the layout, Travis and his big heart for animals-honestly he's more the desired role model for my daughter than Callie.
Didn't like: Callie and her preference for what her grandfather thinks/science and not respecting her teacher, her mother, others. Negative attitudes toward womanly/home skills (cooking, sewing, etc). Somewhat negative relationship with at least one brother and her mother.
Counting Sheep Book 2: secret keeping;
Who Gives a Hoot? Book 3: pg 12 "bloodthirsty Comanche", pg 28 self name calling "idiot", pg 42 witches scream compared to owl sound, pg 57 "Good Heavens."
A Prickly Problem Book 4: The very first page already had me lowering my opinion of the book with its name calling-big theme about being stupid. The dog and humans. Secret keeping (from her mom) to spare her. Negative attitude toward teacher, name calling multiple times. Her punching the new kid because of his comment about her grandfather being weird and thinking her mean brother and this kid deserved each other.
Not a series I would own, reread, or recommend. -
As is the case for so many other readers, I loved the original book that gave birth to this series for younger readers, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, and I've enjoyed the other three books in this series. In this installment, Callie relates a series of anecdotes concerning her father's beloved dog, Ajax, and his misadventures with a porcupine. Not only does the dog get stuck with quills once, but poor old Ajax doesn't learn his lesson the first time around, and he attacks a porcupine and suffers an almost-deadly dose of quills. In fact, Ajax is in such pain that Calpurnia has to find a way to get him to the doctor as quickly as possible. She even manages to remove a quill before the doctor returns to help. Finally, Ajax seems to have learned his lesson after his near-death experience. The text and detailed pen-and-ink illustrations capture the essence of this frightening incident in rural Texas in 1901. Fans of the series will love this one. The only thing I dislike about these stories are that they are so short and leave me wanting so much more.
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I truly enjoyed this book and though I have not read the other books in this series, it was easy to jump right in and follow along. Calpurnia is a girl who loves to learn. Her grandfather encourages her and teaches her how to use her mind. When her beloved dog, Ajax, is attacked by a porcupine, Calpurnia must step up to the task to save him. She is both brave and clever. Not only is an animal story told here, but also one of compassion and community. Throughout the tale, Calpurnia meets with a girl much less fortunate than herself, and rather than shying away or looking down on the girl, Calpurnia choose to befriend and serve. This part of the story is the most valuable and I appreciate that Kelly has added an aspect of sharing and sacrifice to the book. The illustrations are also superb. I look forward to more of this series.
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The books in this series are great for read-aloud in 2nd or 3rd grade because they are short enough to read in a few short sessions. I actually liked the two full-length Calpurnia Tate novels a lot better but those are for an older audience (maybe 5th-8th grade). The relationship of the two original Calpurnia Tate novels and this new series of much shorter novels is a little awkward because chronologically the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet series takes place after the two original Calpurnia Tate novels but readers can’t really read them in order because of the big difference in the ages of the target audiences. You can read the Vet series alone, but the young readers will not have a very good understanding of Calpernia’s family and grandfather because they would not have read the two original books.
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Calpurnia's dog Ajax is the best bird dog around, but he's certainly not very smart. After chasing a porcupine up a tree and getting a muzzle full of quills, Ajax should have learned his lesson, but when he encounters the porcupine again, Calpurnia may need to practice her vet skills on the family dog.
I love this series so much! Designed for the much younger reader that the original novel, these short illustrated stories are charming, nostalgic and perfect for a bedtime story or a read along.
Cross posted to
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT! -
Love this series!
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This series is a cut above the usual beginning chapter book. Calpurnia Tate has a strong voice and does brave and interesting things.
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Kelly, Jacqueline A Prickly Problem 104 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan) 2018 $16 Content: G.
EL (K-3) ESSENTIAL
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018... -
Really like this series- recommend it often to my students.
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SM
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Really great books especially for anyone that enjoys Little House on the Prairie style books. A quick easy chapter book with lovely black and white illustrations.
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Another fun early chapter book by Kelly. Long live Calpurnia!
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This was a cute and quick read. I would like to go back and read the other books in this series, because I liked Calpurnia and how she told her story.
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Awesome!
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4 stars for me - 1 for H. I think we're about done with Calpurnia Tate.
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The original Calpurnia Tate was a Newbery Award-winning novel. The new Calpurnia Tate is a series of beginning chapter books that is perfect for the young reader who loves animals. Though the odds are stacked against her as a female in the early 1900s, Calpurnia is determined to become a vet. She is kind to those in need, she stands up to bullies, and she's curious about the world around her. I wish I could have been friends with Calpurnia when I was younger! Age 7+
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Not as good as the original Calpurnia Tate books, but still entertaining
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A snippet of Calpurnia Tate in an easier to read format. Larger print, pictures and shorter length will engage emerging readers of all sorts. Calpurnia’s love of science comes through, as does her independent spirit. Positive historical fiction in an easier to read format!
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The illustrations are adorable.
Kids ... might enjoy this one. They do like dog stories.
I just miss all the humor and beauty in the original ones. In ... simplifying they lost something.
