Tough Cookie

by David Wisniewski

Book Overview

Sam Spade, move over In his years on the force, Tough Cookie Busted the Ginger Snaps and broke up the Macaroons. Now living as a private eye at the bottom of the cookie jar, he learns that Fingers has gotten his old partner, Chips. With his best girl, Pecan Sandy, at his side, Tough Cookie sets out to put Fingers away, for keeps This hilarious spoof will have readers rolling in the aisles. 00-01 Keystone to Reading Book Award Masterlist

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688153372
• ISBN13: 9780688153373
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.6" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

"You Play the Horses, Slim?"

Yeah, it's terse. Tough. Even cynical at times. But funny as all get out. It's probably no big trick to pull off a noirish children's book with a protagonist based on Bogart roles, but Wisniewski has just the right touch. It's clever/sassy for grownups ("A slap stings my cheek like a velvet bee." ) but colorful and funny for children.Our hero, "Tough Cookie," aided by the smart and svelte Pecan Sandy, live in a cookie jar with assorted, uhhh, cookies (and crumbs). Tough Cookie and friends go after "Fingers," a ravenous foe who puts Cookie's former partner "Chips" in the cookie hospital: Like Sam Spade, Cookie goes after him (or her) "It's a long ride to the Top of the Jar. I begin to think maybe I'm a nutbar to do this. Then I think of Chips..." 29 pages of fun, it's an inventive twist on a proven formula.

Tough Cookie

Tough Cookie by David Wisniewski is a departure from his retelling of folktales from various cultures, which the illustrator has done in at least four of his previous books. His book, Golem, won for him a Caldecott award, which is a showcase for his cutwork art talent, however, this book shows his sense of humor and creativity. When reading this book the reader learns that Wisniewski is not only an award winning artist, but he also has a sense of humor too. What a wonderful combination! This book is a crime thriller in which Tough Cookie, a detective, and his girlfriend, Pecan Sandy, must solve the mystery of what is happening to the missing crumbs.It shows how rough life can be at the bottom of a cookie jar, especially when Fingers shows up. It's a must read for all ages, featuring Wisniewski's characteristic cutwork illustrations.

On My Top Five Favorite Children's Book List

I work in a children's library, and I read children's books all the time; this book stands out above and beyond many others. It's funny and cleverly illustrated with paper cut-outs, a specialty of the author. I've shared this book with all ages (including my co-workers) and it has been well received by all of them!

Creatively superb!

TOUGH COOKIE is one of the most creative and humorous books I have read. Because of its mix of adult humor with children's imagination, I think it is best suited for children ages 11 and up. What an excellent use of language and humor!

A tasty cookie caper!

Readers will delight in this visit to the cookie jar underworld where class is deternimed by your freshness and staleness dooms one to the bottom of the jar. David Wisniewski mimics a Mickey Spillane novel in voice and plot while delighting us with a whimsical look at a civilization that may exist beneath the lids of our cookie jars.