The Fleatastics
(Book)

Sarafleana was a born jumper. The older she got, the more she jumped. Although her one-of-a-kind talent is fantastic, Sarafleana often gets in trouble for jumping when she's supposed to be doing anything else. When her family auditions for The Fleatastics, a famous acrobatic troupe, Sarafleana is determined to show off her amazing ability. Desimini's frolicking microscopic world of fleas is a realm within a realm Sarafleana and her family all live on an old dog named Snoozer, who is napping at a dog park, and their traveling circus takes them from dog to dog. Amid the plot about perseverance, Desimini sprinkles in the flea family's running commentaries, which range from scoldings, complaints, and random comments to dog facts, riddles, and knock-knock jokes. But when the dog they're performing on gets curious about all the itchy activity going on, it's up to Sarafleana and her amazing ability to save the day. The engaging, brightly colored scenes filled with comical asides should be a great storytime read for high-energy kids.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2017 Booklist

PreS-Gr 1-Snoozer is a sleepy dog at the center of a lot of activity. On him live a community of fleas, including ball rollers, trapeze artists, and tightrope walkers. -Sarafleana and her siblings audition for and join The Fleatastics, a famous acrobat troupe. Sarafleana has more of a solo act in mind; tired of being scolded for amazing jumping skills, she's ready to put them to use. One day, during a performance, the dreaded T-word ("TREAT") is muttered, and it is Sarafleana's jumping abilities that save the day when an overexcited Snoozer threatens to disrupt the event. This story is simple, pleasant, and suited for young children. The major issue is the use of many tiny asides and dialogue balloons, which muddle up the bold illustrations. The busy and crowded pages make this title difficult to read aloud. VERDICT A solid purchase for large libraries, best shared one-on-one.-Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

After a flea family auditions and wins a spot in the acrobatic troupe The Fleatastics, young daughter Sarafleana, a "born jumper," itches to go solo. The book contains winning wordplay ("The greatest show on dogs!"; "grand fleanale") and applause-worthy artistic detail, but the layouts are so chaotic--there's running text, dialogue balloons, and micro-size asides--that it's hard to know what to read when. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

It's "the greatest show on dogs!"Born on a drowsy basset hound, Sarafleana is a natural jumper. Snoozer the hound is actually home to a community of fleas; his pelt even boasts its own acrobatic troupe, The Fleatastics. Sarafleana and her siblings easily impress Mr. Itchy, the troupe's leader, and Sarafleana seems destined for the tippy-top of the Parasite Pyramid. But that would mean staying still, and she doesn't want to. Earning acclaim as "THE HIGHEST-JUMPING FLEA EVER" is her dream. One morning when Snoozer is at the dog park, the flea circus packs up and parachutes to Sparky, a dog napping nearby. As the crew sets up the circus tent and the hot dog stand, Sarafleana secretly practices. The circus begins, and Sarafleana's siblings build their pyramid. She goes to the top, planning to impress everyone with her jumping. But, inexplicably, she can't leap. The show continues and is at its fleanale when a child in the audience calls out for "another TREAT!" Uh-oh. Sparky perks up and starts to scratch, threatening the flea circus. Sarafleana becomes a hero by jumping all over and shouting "Treat," distracting Sparky and allowing everyone to flee to safety. Desimini's story is more than a bit disjointed, but her universe of fleas delights with boundless imagination and pockets of hilarious flea dialogue, vivaciously depicted. Kids enjoying the intricate visuals won't worry that the story doesn't make much sense. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

"Sarafleana was a born jumper. The older she got, the more she jumped." Although her one-of-a-kind talent is fantastic, Sarafleana often gets in trouble for jumping when she's supposed to be doing anything else. When her family auditions for The Fleatastics, a famous acrobatic troupe, Sarafleana is determined to show off her amazing ability. Desimini's frolicking microscopic world of fleas is a realm within a realm—Sarafleana and her family all live on an old dog named Snoozer, who is napping at a dog park, and their traveling circus takes them from dog to dog. Amid the plot about perseverance, Desimini sprinkles in the flea family's running commentaries, which range from scoldings, complaints, and random comments to dog facts, riddles, and knock-knock jokes. But when the dog they're performing on gets curious about all the itchy activity going on, it's up to Sarafleana and her amazing ability to save the day. The engaging, brightly colored scenes filled with comical asides should be a great storytime read for high-energy kids. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

PreS-Gr 1—Snoozer is a sleepy dog at the center of a lot of activity. On him live a community of fleas, including ball rollers, trapeze artists, and tightrope walkers. Sarafleana and her siblings audition for and join The Fleatastics, a famous acrobat troupe. Sarafleana has more of a solo act in mind; tired of being scolded for amazing jumping skills, she's ready to put them to use. One day, during a performance, the dreaded T-word ("TREAT") is muttered, and it is Sarafleana's jumping abilities that save the day when an overexcited Snoozer threatens to disrupt the event. This story is simple, pleasant, and suited for young children. The major issue is the use of many tiny asides and dialogue balloons, which muddle up the bold illustrations. The busy and crowded pages make this title difficult to read aloud.