Genre: Children's Picture Book

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Candlewick Press (May 13, 2010)
ISBN: 9780763647971
Reviewed: July/August 2010

When Uncle Ernie, an NYPD officer, slips on a doughnut and is rushed to the hospital, Mom flies to New York and Uncle Ted comes over to baby-sit the kids at the last minute. At first, everything goes smoothly, and Clarice says, “Nobody is arguing and we are like one of those families on television who always say things like please and thank you and sorry.” But soon, chaos ensues, and at least half of Mom’s six house rules are broken. Albert, the school guinea pig, escapes; Uncle Ted kicks a soccer ball at little brother Minal’s head and knocks him out; and after they return from the emergency room, the family finds granddad watching TV in the neighbor’s apartment. Clarice Bean’s sense of the world is simultaneously naïve and aware. The illustrations are a unique combination of cartoons and real photographs, adding more quirkiness to complement Clarice Bean’s character. For ages six to ten.

Lydia Belanger