The Blabber Report

Blabber Mouse has a runaway mouth. He's also a jokester, a doodler, and a wiggler in school. He's a very active and noticeable student in Mrs. Numley's room, but he is silenced at the prospect of giving an oral report. (By the way, he's never identified as someone who has ADD --Attention Deficit Disorder--either with or without hyuperactivity.) While Blabber has abn almost Ali-like ability for improv rhyme (talking about the report, he bluffs, "No prob, Bob! It's a breeze, Louise! No worry-ah, Gloria!") he has a history of reports gone bad: "The too-short short story" and the "too-long haiku poem" among them! He has problems deciding on his topic, and, like his classmates, he wishes they could skip the oral reports and eat the Mrs. Numley's cookies promised for a good class effort. When it's his turn for the report, Blabber goes blank, even though he had read his book four times the previous summer! In a wonderful montage against a black background, Blabber looks up, looks down, blinks, giggles, jiggles, and turns red, then white, then green. "'Thank you, Blabber,' said Mrs. Numley. 'You tried. You can try again later.' Blabber's heart sank. Later would be even worse! He had let everyone down. And now he hated his favorite book." Author/illustrator True Kelley skillfully captures the variety of students and range of emotions encountered in 4th or 5th grade classroom. The pictures delightfully highlight and enhance her story. We see the students' anxiety, contradicted only by the self-assured confidence of the "annoyingly ready" Joan, who does her report on Volume "J-K-L' of the encyclopedia! Young readers will laugh with recognition at Mrs. Numley's somewhat conflicting teacher roles: The somewhat stern Mrs. Numley (there's a great drawing of the teacher giving "The Look" with an arrowed so labeled pointing at her face), and the warm Mrs. Numley, who gives Blabber a second chance. The resolution is useful, albeit a bit too saccharine. Blabber gets oral report hints from the other students (all of whom, except Lisa, had their own difficulties with the report--apparently it's easier to give hints than to perform them!). The well-meaning mouse kids suggest that Blabber practice in front of a mirror, and use pictures, note cards, and sticky notes. These work well in rehearsal, but the next day Blabber forgets to bring his notes! Luckily for the A-for-Effort Blabber, his classmates have already made signs that repeat some of the teacher's outline of required contents (e.g., "Tell me something I don't know," and "Why did you pick it?"). While the conclusion is more metaphor than realism, the lessons and examples are valuable ones: Everyone (well, except for the "Joan's" out there) faces difficulties on oral reports, friends can offer emotional support and concrete tips; persistence pays off. I like how Ms. Kelley "gets" the elementary school experience, and the heightened emotions of the students. Her varied, surprising use of color, an

A WONDERFUL story about a smart, excitable kid-mouse who overcomes his fears with the help of his friends. It's the most inspirational book for ADHD kids I've ever seen. I just love how Blabber is portrayed as a really nice, smart, mouse-kid who is just a little TOO motivated to help and skip from task to task. Great stuff, and wonderful drawings as well. I highly recommend it!

True Kelly's THE BLABBER REPORT tells of Blabber Mouse, who is afraid to talk. His greatest habit is talking - except when it comes to a scary assignment: oral book reports. He's too busy chatting to work on his assignment - and as Oral Report Day comes nearer, he's more worried. Can he translate his greatest talent to a fine report?

[[ASIN:05 25478094 The Blabber Report]] FIVE STARS All kids have to go to school, and school holds terrors that make the evening news look paltry. This funny book is the story of a blabbermouth who becomes frozen with fright at having to do an oral report. How he dreads his ordeal, and how he gets through it, is the plot. Half the gags are in the pictures, where funny details abound to be found. The zany realism of the illustrations make the book great to read to little kids and for bigger ones, like third-graders to enjoy on their own. And it stands up to lots of repeat readings. Highly recommended!