Popcorn

“Popcorn” (Copyright 1979 Frank Ash), by Frank Asch, Is a funny modern fantasy book about a young bear who throws a popcorn party while his parents are out. I had mixed feelings about the book. I liked the illustration within the book. The pictures go along with the text of the book. At one point the illustrated popcorn emphasizes the text “there was so much popcorn, it filled the whole house” by a picture of popcorn spilling out of the house. Although organized, there was very little plot to the story. There was little conflict tot the story. Yes popcorn created conflict by taking over the house but I thought the parents finding out would add better conflict. The language was very clear and concise. It was easy to follow what show more was being said and how the character was saying it. The language was the most clear when the characters were buried underneath the tremendous amount of popcorn. It was very clear that the characters were scared and did not know what to do. I thought that the characters were week at times. The characters did come across as believable. The main character, Sam, was believably happy that he was left home alone for the first time. However, there was very little to no character development within the story. Sam seemed very mischievous at the beginning and at the end of the story. In the beginning he pulled the typical child happy to have his parents out of the house and wanted to throw a party. At the end he tries to hide the popcorn from his parents when they come home from their party. At the end of the story they surprise Sam with a bag of popcorn. The central theme in this story is to respect your parents and to not disobey them when you have the house to yourself. show less

"Frank Asch, [the author and illustrator] published his first children's book in 1968 and since then has written in almost every category of children's literature. . ." Source: The book's inside back cover. This story of excess shows that there can be too much of a good thing. Sam is left home while his mother and father go to a Halloween party. He decides to call his friends for his own party and they all bring guess what--popcorn. The result is a lesson for all.

I had completely forgotten about this book. I saw it on the bookstore shelf and instantly remembered having read it as a kid. It was a delight to be able to buy a copy for my nephews. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did!

Frank Asch was on my entering kindergartner's Summer Reading List (they simply stated "anything by this author") and to tell you the truth we were not familiar with his work. "Popcorn" changed all that. My 3 year-old son loves this book and my 5 year-old daughter likes it too.

Mr. Asch has a real talent for finding topics that children find fascinating. In this case, there were two topics: Halloween and popcorn.

Essentially, the other reviewers are right. This is a good, if not great, book for children that they will read (or have you read) over and over.

**See also, www.frankasch.com for the author reading some of his stories. My kids just loved it!

Pam T
mom and reviewer for www.BooksForKids-reviews.com

This was my favorite book when I was a child. I'm pretty sure my parents got sick of reading it to me. I died laughing when the parents came home every time. Who am I kidding? I still die laughing!!! SPOILER ALERT: They bring home popcorn...hahahahaha!!!

Kids will like what happens when mom and dad go out and the kids have a party. Everyone brings popcorn to it. Parents will know what happens but the kids will delight in it. I have a craving for popcorn!

On Halloween night, Sam invites all of his friends to his house for a costume party. As his guests arrive, each one brings the same treat—popcorn! They make it all, and soon the house is overflowing with popcorn. What will Sam and his friends do with so much of this tasty treat?