By Tedd Arnold
Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 32 pages
Walter’s room is nearly at the top of a tall apartment building. While he gets ready for bed, his father reminds him there is no jumping on the bed. He warns that if Walter keeps it up, he and his bed might punch right through the floor and crash into the apartment below. Walter says good night, and in his dark, quiet room, the only sound is thumping from above — his neighbor Delbert, jumping on his bed! Walter says, “If Delbert can jump on his bed, so can I!” So Walter starts to jump … and jump … higher … and higher. And then it happens — Walter and his bed crash through the floor. He lands in Miss Hattie’s spaghetti, but it is just the beginning. He keeps on crashing through to the next floor where Mr. Matty lives, along with Miss Hattie and Walter’s bed going along. And so it goes. Or is it just a dream?
“Walter’s bedroom was directly above Miss Hattie’s dining room. She was quite surprised when Walter landed in her spaghetti and meatballs.”
This 25th anniversary edition of Tedd Arnold’s book is updated with all new artwork in his well-known style. It’s a great edition, one youngsters will love, because it is silly and funny and the pictures make it more so.
Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
