In the fall of 2009, I had the opportunity to speak with author Judy Schachner. Judi was touring for her book “Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice.”
We talked about her popular character Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese kitten who thinks he’s a sword-fighting, Spanish-speaking Chihuahua. Skippy is actually based on her own cat who had an unfortunate altercation with a bumblebee and something magical happened, Judy said. “He began to speak Spanish to me that day.”
“I’m always thinking of things that Skippy would do,” she told me. “There’s just so many opportunities for jokes and puns, and it just kind of takes on a life of its own.”
What makes Skippy so special is that children can see themselves in him, Judy said. He’s just a little kid with ADD. “They see that he has this huge imagination and all the possibilities that imagination provides.”
Skippy also breaks down the language barrier. He offers children and adults the opportunity to play act without judgment.
Judy says teachers have seen Skippy bring their classes together. “The Spanish kids will correct the teacher for their incorrect pronunciation, and they take ownership of the words,” she said. “And then the English-speaking kids who don’t know Spanish learn to understand a little bit more about their (Spanish-speaking) culture and language through a really fun and a lovable character.” (Read the full interview)
Now, Judy has partnered with Kohl’s and its Kohl’s Cares program. Through the end of September, Kohl’s Department Stores are offering exclusive hardcover storybooks and coordinating plush toys. The books include “Skippyjon Jones: Class Action,” “Skippyjon Jones: In the Dog House,” “Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice” and “Skippyjon Jones: The Big Bones”
As a fan of Judy and Skippy, I was excited to receive the above books and two plush toys for review.
Judy’s Skippyjon books, are full of action and imagination. Skippy is lovable and creative. And Judy’s rhyming dialogue is a perfect mixture of Spanish and English. Skippy is an exuberant playmate that young readers will eagerly want to revisit again and again.
There are five plush toys available — I received Skippy and a sock monkey. The sock monkey is super cute and cuddly. Skippy, not so much. Skippy is an interesting-looking character to begin with, but in plush form, he’s kind of creepy, and his head is so big he barely stands up on his own. I don’t think kids will mind, but it’s obviously not my first choice of the five plush options.
The books and toys are available through the end of this month for $5 each — a great price for a hardcover picture book (they usually run in the $16.99 range). One hundred percent of the net profit from the sale of the books and plush toys to benefit kids’ health and education initiatives in communities nationwide.
