Description:
Joe Capri is mighty old. He is creaky and wrinkly. One night he wishes on a star--"a wish that was older than he was." He wished he were young again. The next morning, while shaving, he laments that he is still old. But just as he sits down to eat breakfast, a strange, purple Something or Other appears. It has the most wonderful red hair, 379 teeth, beady eyes, a spiked tail, and some sort of problem with leakage. It dances badly, sings horribly off-key, but tells Joe that his wish will be granted... tomorrow. Boy, is Joe happy about that! His imagination goes wild with the opportunities that restored youth will bring--so he hops on a bus and takes it all the way across town to his grandson Michael's house to share his good fortune. "Grandpapa!" his grandson exclaims happily. "Computer boy!" Joe answers back. He breaks his big news of impending youth, and they laugh themselves silly at the thought that by the very next day they could be in the same class. They spend all day together, skipping stones and talking about Harpo Marx and Michael's grandmother, who had tall hair and smelled like fresh bread and was even nicer inside than out. That night, after a full and wondrous day, young Michael wishes on a star. He wishes that his grandfather's wish wouldn't come true--that he would stay just the way he was. The funny thing is, Joe wishes the very same thing that night, on that very same star. And as the frantic, leaking Something or Other shouts "Jumping fuzzy lizards!" they both get their wish. James Proimos has succeeded in creating a cartoony, original, certifiably quirky picture book while spinning an affectionate, uplifting story about the good parts of getting old and grandparent-grandchild love. A must for any kid who's wacky on the outside, but soft on the inside. (All ages) --Karin Snelson
| 
