Big Plans

by Bob Shea

Book Overview

"I've got big plans, BIG PLANS I say!"A little boy sits in the corner of a classroom, plotting his future. He's got plans...and have you heard? They're BIG. With the help of a mynah bird and lucky stinky hat, he'll find a quarter...boss around some muckety-mucks...become the mayor-or even the president! And while he's at it...fly to the moon! This exuberant story is perfect for any child who is ready to dream BIG. Are you in?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1423111001
• ISBN13: 9781423111009
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 12.5"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

stunned that anyone could have a neg reaction to this book

I love this book...my husband loves reading this book..and my son can't hear it often enough. This book gives the reader so many chances to be silly and loud it's perfect to keep a child's attention and to encourage imagination. We seem to quote this book at least once a day.. "Any big plans today?" and it's a great way to encourage connectedness...from books to reality. To the reviewer who was complaining that don't know what the big plans specifically are....!!! what!! such a 'neh sayer' that's for you and your children to decide..open up your imagination ..everyday your 'big plan's' could be different. buy this book. enjoy this book..and I can't wait until another Bob Shea book hits the market.

WOW!!! What an Excellent Book!!!!

My daughter picked this book out at the library and I was reluctant. My mind changed quickly when I started to read it aloud. This is a book for the strong-willed child and anyone who has the gift of knowing one. One could say the boy is defiant and ill-mannered, but you can also say he is full of energy and life and determination. I prefer the latter. My daughter is strong-willed and I believe she can relate very well to the characters. It's not an easy road when you feel the world is against you. It's wonderful for children to find an outlet for their feelings. This book does it. We went on vacation and my daughter climbed to the top of a climber and yelled from the top of her lungs, "I've got big plans, I say!!!"

Our Favorite Book of the Year!

We loved this book! It's a favorite of my 6 and 4 year olds. I absolutely love the insertion of ridiculous catchphrases ("Are you a naysayer? Do you say nay, I say?" "What do clothes make? The man!")-and his "new stinky lucky hat" never fails to produce fits of giggles in my kids ("Stinky luck I say!"). The art's awesome and the main character is hysterical. Also, don't forget to read the lines the boy has been made to write on the board prior to the start of the story. ("What I say does not go." "I will not laugh when others speak.")

Book Review: Big Plans

I got in trouble as a kid. It didn't happen too often, but it happened. "Mocked" the guitar player during the assembly (sincerest form of flattery, I say), got a bit too rough playing Ninja Turtles at recess - standard stuff. Like a bucket of cold water on the head, getting in trouble as a kid always reminds you of the fact that adults are unquestionably in charge. "Big Plans" exuberantly turns this notion on its head. In terms of read-aloud-ability, it will likely prove to be one of the highlights of Aught Eight. The story begins with our unnamed protagonist stewing in Time Out. As the title suggests, he has a few ideas about how things should be, and is not afraid to share. Are they specific? Not at all. But you don't need details when you've got this kind of persistence. With the gusto of Alex Baldwin's character in "Glengarry Glen Ross", our hero's fantasy jumps into action. He's making it clear who's in charge, ordering people around and demanding to know if you're "in or out". Along the way he acquires a mynah bird sidekick, a skunk-coon cap, and a wake of adults impressed with his determination. He wins football games, crashes board meetings, and talks the President into handing over his job. All while never losing focus of his mission: to proclaim his big plans to the world. A warning: this book is fairly relentless in its methods. It's not made for "quiet time in ye olde story corner". The fonts sizes vary between huge and massive. Lane Smith's collage illustrations fit right in and add to the craziness. It's fair to say that, if done correctly, you can expect to hear "A Clamor of Children" during this storytime. But that's the fun, right?

this book is great, GREAT I SAY!

Lane Smith has been a favorite ever since STINKY CHEESE MAN found its way into our children's lives. And about a year ago we discovered Bob Sheas' NEW SOCKS, which became an instant favorite in our house. A truly great nightly read aloud. So we're beyond delighted to see two of our household favorites come together to work on this book. All the great visuals of a Lane Smith classic with the laugh out loud read along style of Bob Shea...perfect. Hope they're off somewhere working on another...ANOTHER I SAY!