Snakes & Pigs & Chickens, Oh My!



     In the zany and hilarious story of The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, a little girl depicts her class field trip to an animal farm. The setting of this realistic fiction story begins at the girl’s home where she tells the daily events of the activities at the farm to her mother. The illustrations detail the setting at the farm where the chaos begins. The plot is original and believable, but the girl may have a very creative imagination, as shown in the extravagant illustrations. The story is written in the first person point of view and is expressed through dialogue with her mother. She begins by explaining that the pandemonium was set in motion by Jimmy’s pet boa constrictor that came on the field trip to meet all of the farm animals. As any mother would be, she is surprised and curious at the incredible story she is hearing. She continues by explaining a series of catastrophic events that occur when the children throw eggs in the hen house, the pigs overtake the bus and eat the student’s lunches, and the boa constrictor gets loose and scares the farmer’s wife, Mrs. Stanley. The climax is revealed when the boa constrictor consumes the farmer’s wife’s laundry, the student’s leave the farm suddenly, and Jimmy leaves the snake behind. The children, the farmer, and the farmer’s wife are all realistic characters that are consistent with the emotions and actions of real people their age. The children react silly and mischievous on the field trip causing the incidents, and the farmer’s wife reacts as any other woman would when confronted with an enormous snake! Even though it all seems like a disastrous day, everything turns out just fine because Jimmy kept the pig that was left on the bus as his new pet, and the farmer was thrilled to add the boa constrictor to his farm family! The theme of appreciation in this story is ideal for children in elementary and primary grades. It enlightens readers that people can have fun with all different types of animals, and we should respect and appreciate all living creatures of this world.

The Catastrophe in the Hen House!

Poor Mrs. Stanley!

 

This was a funny, charming story that I will definitely share. The silly antics of the children and the delightful illustrations make this a very enjoyable read. The events in the story could possibly happen on a field trip to an animal farm, but I sure hope it does not happen to me! Reading this book would be a great way to introduce young children to animal science, and follow it up by researching different names and species of animals. ~Elma

I thought this story was such a cute and entertaining piece! I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations, plot, characters, and theme. I feel like I would use this in the classroom for introducing fiction and perhaps an animal lesson (as Elma added!). The story unfolding into such a catastrophy is what keeps the reader wanting more, and I would love to add this wild and crazy book to my classroom library! --Lindsay