Spinky Sulks

Spinky is sulking. His family does not understand him, or so it seems to Spinky. He has many other misgivings and is harboring a long litany of slights. His brother Hitch tries to cheer him up. "'You are posilutely right' Hitch said. `I looked it up. Philadelphia is the capital of Belgium'". It doesn't work. Spinky continues to sulk. Other family members try to comfort him as well. "I'm sorry I called you Stinky, Spinky", his sister Willamina admits. Notwithstanding Spinky's obnoxious behavior, his family persists in its demonstration of unconditional love. Here are some examples of Spinky's demeanor in response: * Spinky lay there like a stone. * Spinky's mother sat with him and held his hand, but his arm hung down like a noodle. * She (Spinky's grandmother) gave him a big fat hug, but Spinky went limp in her arms. Meanwhile, the family pets, a blunt nosed pooch with a snout like a sawed off shotgun, and a very clever looking cat, file meaningfully in and out of the scene. In the end there is forgiveness and redemption all around. Something of importance has been learned and broken relationships have been healed. Kids will love this book, and parents will enjoy reading it too.

I was surprised to see the reviews here that were critical of this book, because of Spinky's attitude. Spinky is not supposed to be a role model. His is an example of how NOT to behave. This message wasn't too subtle for my seven year old son to pick up on. It's a shame that a couple of adults here had it fly over their heads. I believe that William Steig has created a wonderful story that accurately depicts how children act, and that willfulness, stubborness, and self-centeredness need to be overcome. The pictures are also some of the funniest that I've ever seen in a children's picture book, or anywhere else for that matter.

I grew up reading William Steig books, and this was one of my all time favorites. Every kid finds him or herself in a bad mood that just gets worse over time. The point of the story, though, is that Spinky gets himself out of his funk. Instead of putting me in a sulky mood, this book always helped me get out of one, because I felt like someone else knew what it was like, too.

I am 36 years old and noticed this book, by the author of SHREK, on the shelf at the public library and checked it out for my daughter. I was expecting a good book, but this one just plain blew me away. It's funny, poignant, and has a couple lessons in it that every parent (maybe even every *person*) should keep in mind, about the difference between a sincere apology and an insincere one, and about how carrying a grudge forever is self-defeating.

"Spinky Sulks" is hilarious! William Steig has caught the exact feelings of every child at some point in their life. It is a great story that I enjoy reading to my five year old daughter over and over. Appealing to adults and to kids.