Rappy Goes to School

by Dan Gutman, Tim Bowers (Illustrator)

Overview

It’s Rappy the Raptor’s first day of school, and he’s having a hard time keeping his cool!

But when Rappy spots a classmate being bullied, he finds the nerve to speak up—in rhyme, of course! Parents and kids will snap, tap, and dance first-day jitters away with this funny school story with dino-size heart.

What’s today’s date?

I don’t want to be late!

Is it time to go?

Does anyone know?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062291813
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/21/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dan Gutman is the New York Times bestselling author of the Genius Files series; the Baseball Card Adventure series, which has sold more than 1.5 million copies around the world; and the My Weird School series, which has sold more than 35 million copies. Thanks to his many fans who voted in their classrooms, Dan has received nineteen state book awards and ninety-two state book award nominations. He lives in New York City with his wife. You can visit him online at dangutman.com.

Tim Bowers has illustrated over thirty children’s books, including the New York Times bestsellers Dream Big, Little Pig! by Kristi Yamaguchi and Dinosaur Pet by Neil and Marc Sedaka. His artwork has received much recognition, including the Children’s Choice Award and Junior Library Guild selections. Tim lives with his wife in Granville, Ohio. You can visit him online at www.timbowers.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2016
Gr 1–3—Rappy the Raptor is back, and this time he tackles the universal experience of the first day of school. Rappy expresses his enthusiasm through rhyme to the excitement of his parents and schoolmates. When he encounters one of his classmates being bullied, he uses the power of rap to come to his aid and stands up to the big bad bully in the process. He makes a new friend and shows everyone that school can be cool. The author's note in the beginning of the volume implores parents not to read the book but to "RAP IT!" Many readers, especially younger ones, may find this difficult, as the rhythm of many of the lines is off and will prove to be a challenge. Bowers's digital illustrations capture the happy expressions of many of the characters. This is a slight story that readers may not find enthralling. Those seeking this type of tale may want to turn to Chris Raschka's Hip Hop Dog. VERDICT Readers may want to look elsewhere for a rapping good time.—Christopher Lassen, BookOps: The New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library

School Library Journal

2016-05-04
Following series opener Rappy the Raptor (2015), Gutman and Bowers team up again to bring readers another chapter in Rappy's life story: the first day of school.The rapping dino is definitely nervous on the first day—about school supplies, about making friends, about whether the teacher will be kind or not. But despite nervousness (and the huge and terrifying-looking—in Rappy's eyes—teacher), the rapping dino manages to use that talent to distract both a bully, Chris, and his victim, Aidan. But rapping won't help Rappy to spell, and that's the first lesson of the day. But luckily, Aidan comes to the rescue with some whispered letters, and suddenly Rappy can spell some words. It's the start of a new friendship for them both. And Chris? Mrs. H. "said we shouldn't make fun of others, / and if we did she'd tell our mothers. / Being a bully isn't cool, / so she made Chris stay after school!" Gutman's slight tale is quite similar to the first—right down to the very similar refrains—and the resolution is too pat to be believable. Still, it's fun for a read-aloud (practice the rhythms first), and the bullying message goes down easily. Bowers' digital dinos are full of personality, and readers will enjoy seeing the friendship between Rappy and Aidan develop.Fans of rap and dinos will enjoy this; others may want something with more story. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews