This is a story about a little boy who lives above a convenience store with his mom. When he goes to spend his pocket money on candy—only when Mom’s not looking—he gives the knot on the clothesline by the outdoor stairs a good yank (it makes the best sound). One day, he tugs a little too hard, and takes the stairs a little too fast, and—whiiiiiz!—gets stuck hanging smack in the middle of the clothesline.
He cries for help, but Mom doesn’t hear. He waits for someone to save him, but only a black cat slinks by. His arm gets tired—but if he hangs on with both hands, he’ll risk dropping his coins! It’s a true dilemma. Finally, he cries out so loudly that he tumbles to the ground. He still spends his pocket money on candy. But he NEVER touches the clothesline again.
Told in sequential illustrations with simple text and vibrant sound effects, this is a suspenseful narrative offering an accessible entry point to early graphic novels and a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud reminder of the consequences of our choices.
Full-color illustrations.
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Reggie and his mother live above a corner store, and when the five-year-old helps around the house, he earns a small allowance. Once he has earned some coins, he goes down the stairs and around the corner to buy some candy, tugging on a knot in the clothesline and making a pleasing “ftoiing!” sound on his way. One day, he tugs too hard and ends up stuck in the middle of the clothesline. His time spent dangling teaches Reggie a valuable lesson. Orbie’s energetic cartoon illustrations call to mind Dennis the Menace, though his dilemma on the clothesline has less to do with bad behavior and more of a mere accident. Reggie earns 30 cents for his chores, which he thinks will buy him a lot of candy at the corner store, adding slightly silly humor and evoking childlike thinking when it comes to letting go of the precious coins. Despite being somewhat lengthy for a picture book, the simple text and easy to follow graphic novel–style illustrations make this easily digestible to young readers. A quick, engaging read for fans of comic style texts.