By Andrea Skyberg
Wooden Nickel Press, LLC
www.snickeyfritz.com
PO Box 13091
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-429-3892
Snickeyfritz is about three little girls who have run out of things to do on a rainy day. Their Grandpa tries to solve their dilemma by sending them on a treasure hunt. The silly sounding phrases in the treasure hunt stump them while also sparking their creativity and imagination. To say that Snickeyfritz is a picture book is a massive understatement. Andrea Skyberg displays true originality in this creative book. Snickeyfritz is a picture book that blends language art, visual art, art history, and geography. The illustrations are actually picture images of large dolls the author built out of masking tape. This unique style is visually interesting. The book is also supported with a website that is full of interesting and educational extensions to the book, including downloads for paper dolls, arts and crafts, recipes, geography lessons, art history lessons, and much more.
Snickeyfritz uses jargon, gibberish, and slang to make the story interesting and clever. A list of these odd phrases (such as "geeze louise" and "knee baby") appears in the back of the book. This book can be read and enjoyed independently or in conjunction with any of the downloadable educational support resources from the website. There are many ways to use this book, and you can choose the way that's best for you. In the downloadable resources for primary grades, one option is to break up the reading and add a craft after each item on the treasure list is discovered. An intermediate study guide is also available to download, and it's full of art history and geography extensions that will provide for deeper learning.
Snickeyfritz is amazing fun. I was wowed by the originality and creativity of the author/illustrator. Andrea Skyberg has a true passion for art, and it shows in the story she created. She leaves no stone unturned. The layers of education included in this clever little picture book totally impress me.
You might find it difficult to keep Snickeyfritz away from your child away long enough to decide how you want to use it. My children read through it a number of times before I incorporated the extra materials from the website. Because this is a unique style, the book is priced a bit higher than other picture books. You can purchase Snickeyfritz for $17.99. Downloadable materials are free at the website but will add an additional cost in ink and paper.
Bottom line, your kids will love Snickeyfritz. You will too! I highly recommend this book. Be sure to check it out!
Product review by Heather Randall, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, January 2010
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