The Stupids Have a Ball by: Harry Allard and James Marshall

Ages: 4-8

The Stupids children, Buster and Petunia, come home from school with failing report cards. This is a cause for celebration. The Stupids plan a family costume ball party, and invite all of their relatives. The Stupids get their house ready for the party and find costumes. Will the party be a success? Find out in The Stupids Have a Ball.

The Stupids Have a Ball is a controversial children’s picture book. After reading the book, I personally agree that it should be considered a controversial book. First, I believe the book is controversial because of the family’s last name, Stupids. There are several parents who do not want their children using the word stupid. This word is found throughout the entire book, both as the family’s last name and where they live, Mount Stupid. Second, the way the family is depicted and acts is controversial. The book reinforces negative behavior. The first thing that stands out in the book is the fact that the family decided to have a party to celebrate their children’s failing report cards. This portrays a message to children that it is okay to get bad grades in school, and it should be a reason to celebrate. Petunia’s dress has simple addition facts on it that are all wrong, for example 2 + 1 = 4. Young children who are learning their simple addition facts may find this confusing. Also, the report card does not give letter grades, but instead words such as lousy, awful, terrible, ridiculous, and hopeless. These words to describe how the children are doing in school can depict low self-esteem. The family does a lot of things and acts in ways that are not “normal.” As a future teacher, I personally would not want this book in my classroom. I once again think it is up to children’s parents as to whether or not they are allowed to read this book. The book is set up with the text on one page, and the illustrations on the other page. The illustrations are colorful, cartoon-like, and odd. They seem to depict the text well. Overall, The Stupids Have a Ball may be funny to some people and a controversial book to others.