Comments on: Review of the Day: Sadie and Ratz by Sonya Hartnett

By: Cybil Awards Honor Palacio, Sheinkin, Hartman | School Library Journal

Cybil Awards Honor Palacio, Sheinkin, Hartman | School Library Journal — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:50:38 +0000

[...] Chapter Books Sadie and Ratz. Sonya Hartnett. Illus. by Ann James. Candlewick. Illustrated in charcoal, this edgy, subversive [...]

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:11:49 +0000

Oh, I love Snake and Lizard! Whenever I recommend out-of-country early chapter books that’s always at the top of my list. Try Wombat and Fox by Terry Denton if you get a chance too. It’s a hoot!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:24:39 +0000

I bought Sadie and Ratz after reading your recommendation. My daughters, ages 7 and 5, both loved the book. They tried Baby Boy’s banshee bull cry, unfortunately.

Regarding writing coming from outside of America, I think you may be onto something. The girls also enjoyed a book out of New Zealand called, Snake and Lizard, by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop. It reminds me of Frog and Toad, but with a bit of a twist a ‘la Jon Klassen, I Want My Hat Back.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:59:08 +0000

Aw! Our edition doesn’t mention that fact! Thanks for the inside scoop.

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:25:43 +0000

Oh I’m glad that this is being published in America. I hope it’s successful there. I haven’t read every Aussie Nibble by any stretch, but this is certainly my favourite so far. I thought the idea of naming a child’s two naughty hands was fantastic, there was a note at the end of our edition that said that Sonya Hartnett’s neice named her hands when she was 2. It’s still a great idea!

By: Judy

Judy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:05:28 +0000

Thank you Betsy. You are spot on with this one.

My five year old who has a just turned three too smart little sister LOVED this book, completely identifying with Hannah’s frustrations with Baby Boy. We read it twice through initially, then again a few hours later. She’s named her hands, feet, tongue and teeth, advised me who is in charge in each pair, and made a poster for her bedroom wall identifying all of them. We’ll be giving it to many friends with annoyingly clever little sibs.

By: Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:07:27 +0000

Oh, I’ve no hard and fast rules on ages. I was putting it in the 7-10 area since it’s an early chapter book, but I can be convinced that 5-8 would make more sense. You make a strong case.

By: Jules

Jules — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:09:37 +0000

I totally called this “Sendakian” in both my Kirkus column and again in the 7-Imp follow-up post, so I don’t think that’s crazy. I even think James’ art is reminiscent of early Sendak, but the most Sendakian of it all is the subtext of the story itself.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:10:57 +0000

Just spotted your added note, quoting the Australian publisher to the effect that “[t]hese books would suit kids aged between 5 and 8.” I guess you don’t agree, and I’m curious as to why now.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:05:24 +0000

I purchased this immediately based on your strong recommendation, Betsy, and was not disappointed. My 7 year old daughter and I both loved it. Just bought a copy for some friends who have girls named Hannah and Sadie, and a brother, whose ears I hope survive some inevitable rubbing by his sisters’ hands this week.

While its chapter book format may put it in the 6-10 age range, I think it would be hard to get a 9 or 10 year old to read this book, given its brevity and large font size. I think it might be a 5-8 (if that’s a category).