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Dav Pilkey hits the halfway mark in this cheerfully ridiculous, easy-reader series that spans the solar system, as Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot takes on the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter.
Little Ricky (a smart young mouse, for those of you just joining us) is having a birthday, and that's cause for some serious robotic celebration. The family--along with cousin Lucy ("a little PEST!")--piles on top of the Mighty Robot for a trip to see dino skeletons at the local museum. Unfortunately, General Jackrabbit, evil ruler of Jupiter's "billions of carrot-loving jackrabbits" (the carrots make the planet orange, you see), has other plans for our heroes. He's hoping to take over Earth, but he knows that first he's got to take down Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot. And how better to accomplish that than using the museum's dino skeletons, some of the General's own DNA, and a Meany Machiney to create three big, mean Jurassic Jackrabbits?
There's no doubt that Pilkey can be much funnier when he has more words to work with--witness any of the Captain Underpants books (and Ricky Ricotta is no George or Harold)--but this series at least gives younger readers something fun to do while working on their reading chops. And, of course, you don't have to read a single word to thoroughly enjoy Flip-o-Rama, Pilkey's "world-famous cheesy animation technique," which lets readers flip pages back and forth to animate the action. (Also includes step-by-step drawing tips from equally fun-loving illustrator Martin Ontiveros.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
From Publishers Weekly
Ricky's birthday excursion takes an unexpected turn as he tries to prevent General Jackrabbit from taking over Earth in Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter by Dav Pilkey, illus. by Martin Ontiveros. Ages 4-up.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-In the fifth entry in this popular series, Ricky Ricotta celebrates his birthday by battling General Jackrabbit, evil ruler of Jupiter, who has traveled to Earth to clone mutant dinosaur-jackrabbits. Along with his Mighty Robot, Ricky and his cousin Lucy outwit the Jurassic Jackrabbits, capture the villain, and still have time for birthday cake and ice cream. Special features include instructions on how to draw the characters as well as several "flip-o-rama" chapters that let readers animate the action. Large black-and-white cartoons appear on every page. This slight bit of silly fun will appeal to beginning chapter-book readers.Doris Losey, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, Tampa, FLCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
It's Ricky Ricotta's birthday, and as a special treat, his parents are taking him and his Mighty Robot to see dinosaurs at the museum. Too bad they've also invited Ricky's little cousin Lucy--she's a real pest! When they get to the museum, all the dinosaurs are missing their heads . . . because an evil spacebunny from Jupiter has used the dino DNA to create Jurassic Jack Rabbits! Now it's up to the entire Ricotta family, including Lucy, to stop them from taking over the planet. With their easy-to-read language and action-packed pictures, the Ricky Ricotta books are ideal for beginning readers.
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