From Publishers Weekly
The creators of Alligator Baby and Andrew's Loose Tooth again rely on hyperbole to make the narrative and visuals tick in this slim one-joke tale. The paper-over-board volume stars Christopher, who makes two "cookies" out of red clay and gives one to each of his parents. As they bite into the inedible confections, their eyes bulge, their faces turn scarlet and they utter identical sentiments: "YUCK! PWAH! SPLICHT! PLAY CLAY! GLA-GLA-GLA-GLA!" Such sound effects and a good deal of repetition make Munsch's narrative a quick and sprightly read-aloud. When Christopher's parents make a phone call informing the boy's teacher of his prank, she makes a similar cookie and gives him a taste of his own deception, after which the entire class bakes up an authentic, gigantic cookie to deliver to Christopher's parents. Martchenko's brassy, over-the-top watercolors overflow with silly images, such as Christopher's dog biting big chunks out of the kitchen cabinet, the boy and his classmates creating colorful chaos as they mix up the batter and the children and a menagerie of animals feasting on the final (real) oversized cookie. A light morsel. Ages 3-6. (Mar.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Another participation story from the author of Mortimer (1985) and 50 Below Zero (1986, both Annick), with much repetition and a touch of mean-spiritedness. Christopher makes a "cookie" out of play clay and presents it to his mother, telling her his Dad made it for her. She bites into it before realizing her son has played a joke on her. The child then tricks his na ve father the same way. After the chagrined parents inform their son's teacher of his pranks, she makes sure he gets his comeuppance by giving him a taste of his own medicine. Then, when the schoolmates make a huge, real cookie and offer it to Christopher's parents, they cringe in horror. The last page shows all of the kids munching on the gigantic treat. Martchenko's bright watercolors with their expressive, exaggerated facial contortions are entertaining, but can't save the one-joke tale.Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Christopher's playdough cookies may look delicious, but when he tricks his parents and teacher into eating them, they soon realize that these "cookies" are NOT what they seem! When they decide to give Christopher a taste of his own medicine, and he falls for his very own trick, the entire class is in for an hysterical adventure!With a playdough recipe included, here is yet another off-beat story from the author of bestseller LOVE YOU FOREVER, bound to have kids and cookie fans of all ages cheering for more.



Card catalog description
After Christopher plays a trick on his mom and dad by serving them cookies made of clay, they engage his teacher in a way to get back at him.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Christopher's playdough cookies may look delicious, but when he tricks his parents and teacher into eating them, they soon realize that these "cookies" are NOT what they seem! When they decide to give Christopher a taste of his own medicine, and he falls for his very own trick, the entire class is in for an hysterical adventure!With a playdough recipe included, here is yet another off-beat story from the author of bestseller Love You Forever, bound to have kids and cookie fans of all ages cheering for more.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The creators of Alligator Baby and Andrew's Loose Tooth again rely on hyperbole to make the narrative and visuals tick in this slim one-joke tale. The paper-over-board volume stars Christopher, who makes two "cookies" out of red clay and gives one to each of his parents. As they bite into the inedible confections, their eyes bulge, their faces turn scarlet and they utter identical sentiments: "YUCK! PWAH! SPLICHT! PLAY CLAY! GLA-GLA-GLA-GLA!" Such sound effects and a good deal of repetition make Munsch's narrative a quick and sprightly read-aloud. When Christopher's parents make a phone call informing the boy's teacher of his prank, she makes a similar cookie and gives him a taste of his own deception, after which the entire class bakes up an authentic, gigantic cookie to deliver to Christopher's parents. Martchenko's brassy, over-the-top watercolors overflow with silly images, such as Christopher's dog biting big chunks out of the kitchen cabinet, the boy and his classmates creating colorful chaos as they mix up the batter and the children and a menagerie of animals feasting on the final (real) oversized cookie. A light morsel. Ages 3-6. (Mar.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

School Library Journal