Children's Fiction Humorous Stories
The Thumb in the Box
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books Ltd
- Initial publish date
- May 2001
- Category
- Humorous Stories, General, Chapter Books
- Recommended Age
- 8 to 10
- Recommended Grade
- 3 to 5
- Recommended Reading age
- 8 to 10
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780888994226
- Publish Date
- May 2001
- List Price
- $7.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781554981656
- Publish Date
- May 2001
- List Price
- $7.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Out of print
This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.
Description
Leon and his friend Susan live in New Auckland, a small isolated fishing village on the coast of British Columbia. One day, the village receives an unexpected gift from the Government of Canada -- a fire truck. But New Auckland is surrounded by mountains and hugs a tiny beach. There are no roads, no cars, no fire hydrants.
What will the village do with its new truck? The man who comes to build the fire station brings with him a practical joke that scares the wits out of Leon and Susan -- a real live wiggling thumb, completely detached from its owner. Which will leave the biggest mark on the village -- the first vehicle most villagers have ever seen, or a simple joke?
About the authors
Ken Roberts is the author of several popular books for young readers, including Hiccup Champion of the World, Crazy Ideas, Pop Bottles, Nothing Wright, Past Tense (shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award) and two highly praised previous Thumb books — The Thumb in the Box and Thumb on a Diamond (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice, SSLI Honor Book, Horn Book Fanfare Top Ten List). Ken is chief librarian of the Hamilton Public Library. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
Leanne Franson spent her childhood winters in Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, building snow forts while her dad watched hockey games on TV. She was a really bad skater -- but she could draw really well! In 1991, after she finished her BFA in Montreal, she started illustrating books. Leanne is fluently bilingual and has worked on books in English and French, illustrating in total over 100 picture books, chapter books, and textbooks. In 2012, she and her teenage son Benn returned to Saskatchewan, where she draws and makes ceramics in her acreage studio.
Editorial Reviews
Roberts, Ken work has a special quality that soars above the usual silliness that often passes for comedy in books for the middle reader.
Globe and Mail
A funny and fresh David versus Goliath tale.
Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW
The story's humor and insight will appeal even to the most reluctant readers.
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