20. Too Many Toys

Title: Too Many Toys
Author: David Shannon
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Copyright Date: 2008
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Comedy Humor

Summary
Spencer has too many toys. They cover up everything so that the floor is barely visible. He has so many toys that he has specific ones for certain areas. The big toys are outside in the sand box, the little ones are in the bathroom for the tub and there are so many that he puts them on parade covering the whole length of the house and back again. It isn’t Spencer’s fault of course that he has so many toys because everyone gives him toys all the time. He gets them from everyone imaginable from the Dentist to Uncle Fred. He gets knew toys for every occasion even the fourth of July! Well parents get tired of stepping on toys all the time and it can really hurt when you do. Mom can’t take it anymore and orders Spencer to get rid of some of his toys. Spencer tries sympathy first and then haggling in order to save some of his toys but Mom manages to win out with the threat of losing TV privileges. Finally the box fills up and Mom goes to get it to put them in the car. She is met with a hall full of toys spilled out from the box. She screams to Spencer for an explanation and finds him playing with what he calls the “best toy ever,” the box.

Recommendation
I would read this to a child just to laugh with them. Spencer is so dramatic and I think kids would just have fun trying to figure out what is going to be on the last page.

Problems/Conflict
Some parents might be a little disgusted with just how many toys Spencer has accumulated.

My Reaction
The illustrations are incredible! I love the vibrancy that they have and the energy it creates and pulls into the story. This book flat out excites me for many reasons; first of all, it’s hilarious; second Spencer is so like me it’s ridiculous; third I love the name Spencer and plan on naming a son that. My mother had initially bought this book for my nephew Adam but when we read it she realized the boy’s name was Spencer and promptly reshelved it for a future grandson. I love my mom. (She bought Adam another book don’t worry.)