Book

Bonaparte Falls Apart

by Margery Cuyler

📖 Overview

Bonaparte is a young skeleton who faces a unique challenge - his bones keep falling apart at inconvenient moments. He worries this will affect his ability to participate in activities at skeleton school. Bonaparte's friends try different solutions to help keep him together, testing various approaches to solve his skeletal situation. Their creative attempts showcase friendship and problem-solving as they work to support Bonaparte. The story follows Bonaparte's journey to find confidence and acceptance, highlighting how differences can become strengths. This picture book uses humor and heart to explore themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and learning to embrace what makes each person unique.

👀 Reviews

Parents and children appreciate the humor and gentle message about friendship and acceptance. The book connects with kids who feel different or struggle to fit in. Several reviews note that children request repeated readings and laugh at Bonaparte's antics. Readers like: - Creative solution to Bonaparte's problem - Supportive friend characters - Silly bone-related puns - Illustrations that enhance the story Readers dislike: - Some find the skeleton premise too spooky for very young children - A few note the resolution feels rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (511 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (156 ratings) Sample review: "My 4-year-old loves this book. The message about friends helping each other resonates, and the skeleton theme made it a hit during Halloween." - Amazon reviewer Another notes: "Touches on anxiety in a way kids understand. The bone puns give parents something to enjoy too." - Goodreads reviewer

📚 Similar books

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Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler A skeleton tries numerous remedies to cure his hiccups while his ghost friend offers suggestions.

The Haunted House That Jack Built by Helaine Becker A cumulative tale follows Jack through a haunted house where he meets ghosts, skeletons, and monsters who live inside.

Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett A ghost searches for belonging after the new family in his house does not welcome his presence.

🤔 Interesting facts

🦴 Bonaparte's name is a clever play on "Bone-apart," since he's a skeleton who literally falls to pieces – and it also references the historical figure Napoleon Bonaparte. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Will Terry, created Bonaparte's expressive face and lovable personality despite working with a character who has no skin, muscles, or facial features. 📚 Author Margery Cuyler has written over 45 children's books, many dealing with childhood anxieties and fears in humorous, accessible ways. 🏫 The story tackles the universal childhood worry about the first day of school while teaching young readers about acceptance, friendship, and creative problem-solving. 🦮 Bonaparte's friends – each named after their monster type (Frankie Stein, Blacky Widow, and Mummicula) – demonstrate how different abilities can help solve problems, promoting themes of diversity and inclusion.