50 Below Zero

By Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

Jason's dad tends to walk in his sleep and ends up in the most unlikely places. On one especially cold night it falls to Jason to find his father and keep him safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annick Press
• Release date: Nov 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781453262733

Robert Munsch

Robert Munsch, author of such classics as The Paper Bag Princess and Thomas’ Snowsuit, is one of North America’s bestselling authors of children’s books.

Reviews for 50 Below Zero

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought this would be a board book edition of the 1985 picture book "50 Below Zero". One of my favourite Munsch books. Instead it is an adaptation of that book, which has had the text simplified and the art has also been revised. The basic plot of the original story manages to come through fine enough but its rollicking humour is inevitably lost in this simplification. If you want a book baby can chew on, this may be your way to go. But I'd rather read the original aloud, even to toddlers. This will be a personal preference as to which you chose.

[shardy2-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for a couple reasons. I liked how engaging the author made the book to the readers. The father in the story kept sleepwalking to new places which kept the reader engaged as wondering where Jason's father would end up next. The first place Jason finds his father is on top of the fridge, from there the reader is engaged and questions where Jason's father will end up next. I liked the suspense created within the story. At the end of the story Jason's mother is woken up from a startling noise. Jason tied his fathers toe so that he could no longer sleepwalk out of this house so suspense is created as to what caused that noise. It turns out to be Jason who apparently sleepwalks like his father but the author did a good job with creating suspense within the story. The main message in the story is there is a solution to every problem you may face. Jason creates a solution to his fathers sleepwalking by tying his fathers toe to his fathers bed so that he can no longer escape the house.

[wickedshizuku · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book so humorous. The illustrations were funny and/or amazing. Nice coloring, and flowing story line. This is very easy to follow for an advanced first grader. Though the story is long and might give children with reading problems a challenge. Parents take the time to read this one with your kids, because you to might like the outcome. Don't freeze out there when It's 5o Below Zero.

[jenn.s · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Adorable and funny story that is enjoyable to read time and time again. Children and adults will both find themselves wanting to turn the page. Well placed text and illustrations. This one is a keeper and should find its way into library shelves and teacher's desks. The idea is well thought out and presented perfectly for curious little minds. The illustrations are very well done.

[emilysadler · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think this is a great book for young children because it had repetition, making the writing rhythmic, and the storyline was very silly. For example, every time Jason woke up, the book read, ?He woke up! He heard a sound. He said, ?What?s that? What?s that? What?s that!?? Then Jason would open the door to some room in his house and find his father sleeping in a funny place. The story also used descriptive words that appealed to the senses. When Jason brought his father inside the house, the author used ?bump, bump, bump, bump?, ?scritch, scritch, scritch, scritch? and ?glug, glug, glug, glug? to describe how he went up the stairs, across the hall and into the bathtub. These words help the child to picture and hear what is going on in the story.The message of this book is to solve your problems when they happen so that they do not repeat. Each time Jason found his father sleeping in a weird place he was too tired to do anything except wake him up. At the end of the book he decides to create a solution by tying his fathers big toe to the bedpost. He still heard a noise but his father fell asleep standing while attached to the bed. If Jason had done this earlier he would not have had to go outside when it was 50 below zero to find his father. Overall, I thought this book was cute and good for preschool children.

[mdierd1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

50 Below ZeroBy Robert Munsch (1992)I liked 50 Below Zero by Robert Munsch for three reasons. First, I liked how Jason?s dad ends up in the most unlikely places while sleepwalking. For example, he ends up on the fridge, in the bathroom, on top of the car, and outside in the cold. The places his dad sleeps are unbelievable, yet humorous. The second thing I liked was Robert Munsch?s use of repetition. Specifically, he repeats the phrase, ?Jason went to sleep: zzzzz---zzzzz---zzzzz---zzzzz. He woke up! He heard a sound. He said, ?What?s that? What?s that? What?s that,? which emphasizes the severity of Jason?s dads sleepwalking; his dad is destructive. Finally, I liked that Jason was brave. Though most children would be afraid to answer to mysterious sounds at night, Jason woke up every time and discovered the sound. Overall, the ?big idea? of 50 Below Zero is somewhat unclear, but I believe this book is exciting, and emphasizes the problems associated with sleepwalking. Although many view this habit as harmless, sleepwalking is dangerous and can lead to harsh consequences such as traveling outside in the cold.