KID´S BOOK RANT: Skippyjon Jones
Book Title: Skippyjon Jones
Author: Judy Schachner
Recommend: Highly
R A N T
It was a typical Tuesday evening. A night that had been set aside to babysit my awesome 3 year old nephew. To set this scene properly you must know that I am not the “fun” aunt. My excuse is that I am perpetually stuck in “mom mode,” and mom mode doesn’t seem to coexist with “fun aunt” -at least to me. The most spontaneous “funtivity” I ever thought of during my nights of babysitting, was to bring my nephew french fries as a treat once in a while. But, as a mom and an aunt, I am always game to read aloud. If they’re interested and it’s passing the time, I will read aloud ‘til the cows come home.
On this particular night, my nephew, oh so casually, handed me a book. It looked safe enough. I read the title – “Skippyjon Jones.” I gasped.
Now, I had heard of these books. It has even been requested that I rant about these books. But up until this moment, I had yet to ever see or hold one of them. The time had come. I took a deep breath, settled my nephew onto my lap, and began to read.
Fair warning, if you have never READ “Skippyjon Jones,” the original- or any in this New York Times Bestselling Series- Don’t read on. I will not be explaining the oh so complex world of “Skippyjon Jones;” go find a copy and read it.
I almost don’t want to do this rant. Technically I don’t even OWN the book. Which is part of this rant- I have read it about 10x now, and have yet to decide if I actually want it to be on our bookshelf at home.
After reading the book to my nephew a few times on that fateful Tuesday night: I am leaning towards NEVER EVER EVER making this a part of the regular reading rotation in my house with my kids- EVER.
Many of you have been in this situation before. The first time you stumble through a Skippyjon Jones book. The tongue twisting Spanglish, the claps; getting through a page and realizing you could have read that section MUCH better had you known where the flow was going, and now that you DO know, you are going to rock it next time. Yet, the whole thing leaves you feeling a bit- unsettled.
I am generally a person who complains about our culture’s “politically correct” obsession and lack of ability to use discernment on cultural appropriation and things of that nature. But let’s be honest… Skippyjon Jones borderlines on a few things that make it uncomfortable to read aloud. I mean- uncomfortable if someone were to walk in and HEAR me READING it to my kids.
For starters, when Skippyjon’s mother talks in the book the writing style lends itself to a particular accent. And of course the accents change as Skippyjon enters his imaginary life as a Chihuahua dog in old Mexico.
This Siamese cat that thinks he’s a Chihuahua, likes to use his best “Spanish accent’ when he pretends to join the Los Chimichangos gang of other Chihuahuas. I’m sorry, did you read that right? YES, THE LOS CHIMICHANGOS.
Now, I am all for a bilingual book to read to my kids. I try to throw some Spanish into my kids’ brain now and again. I have enough of a Spanish education to read the average kid’s book in Espanol pretty confidently. But I think my biggest peeve with this book is, it is not all Spanish words or language but it sometimes seems like a mockery of the language. Or is it? If you think about it in terms of kid’s playtime having pretend accents it make sense. A kid that is pretending to speak Spanish wouldn’t know the difference. But reading that the Los Chimichangos say “eato” because it rhymes with Skippito- feels off to me. Except, then at least I know how to read it- I understand it is meant to give an accent to the reader- and it IS hilarious.
In all honesty. I’m not sure if culturally I should be proud of this book- or continue to feel awkward. But I do know this:
My inner thespian loves this book! Sure the accents and language are nuanced and feel a bit wrong to say “beeg” instead of “grande” as the Spanglish dictates. But because of the accents, the mixed language, the rhythm of the story, and the complexity of the Siamese cat that thinks he’s a Chihuahua who wants to live in old Mexico, whose mama sounds like a mama from the deep south (seriously, who else would say Kitten britches?)- this book is so much fun to “perform.” I truly never feel like I read this book; I PERFORM IT! I almost want it in my repertoire just because it is challenging, fun, and hysterical to call in so many acting and accent patterns I never knew I needed as an aunt or mom!
But do I want my kids repeating this book? Performing this BACK to me? That’s an easy NO. It can stay at my nephew’s house.
