What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe and Sparky
Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels: Candlewick Sparks
"Turtle Sparky enjoys the safety of his shell while giraffe Joe is up for any adventure. . . . Utterly charming." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Sparky is a turtle who likes to stay inside his shell. Joe is a giraffe who likes to stretch his neck and see the world. When a car appears one day at the famous cageless zoo where they live, the two set off on the ride of their lives, with Joe behind the wheel and Sparky hanging on for dear life. From the shopping mall to the car wash to the take-out burger joint, Joe and Sparky cause mayhem everywhere they go. Young readers will love sharing the road with this unlikely pair in a string of adventures that are by turns innocent, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Sparky is a turtle who likes to stay inside his shell. Joe is a giraffe who likes to stretch his neck and see the world. When a car appears one day at the famous cageless zoo where they live, the two set off on the ride of their lives, with Joe behind the wheel and Sparky hanging on for dear life. From the shopping mall to the car wash to the take-out burger joint, Joe and Sparky cause mayhem everywhere they go. Young readers will love sharing the road with this unlikely pair in a string of adventures that are by turns innocent, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny.
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2009
2 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Michalak
43 books68 followersJamie Michalak is the author of more than thirty children's books, including the highly praised Joe and Sparky series of early readers; Frank and Bean; Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter; and Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites, co-written with Debbi Michiko Florence.
When not writing, she can be found singing off-key, playing outside, or hanging with her two sons. Jamie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in the same neighborhood where Dr. Seuss once lived. She now resides in Barrington, Rhode Island.
When not writing, she can be found singing off-key, playing outside, or hanging with her two sons. Jamie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in the same neighborhood where Dr. Seuss once lived. She now resides in Barrington, Rhode Island.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 27, 2010
Joe and Sparky are unlikely friends. Not only is Joe a giraffe while Sparky is a turtle, but Joe loves to stretch his neck and see the world while Sparky likes to hibernate in his shell on a warm rock. When Joe sees a shiny yellow convertible sports car pull up at the zoo gate, he’s convinced it’s his prize from a contest he entered. With a little nudging, Joe riles up Sparky and together they zoom off for a day of wild adventures.
Their differences are vast but their friendship is as tight as the glue that holds the fruit on Joe’s new hat. As they explore a store downtown, a drive-thru restaurant where they order flies but receive fries, a car wash and more, the reader will fall in love with this quirky duo. And by the end, I bet you’ll be begging for a pet giraffe.
Jamie Michalak has created a timeless book about friendship with just enough laughs to keep kids begging to read it over and over again. Frank Remkiewics’s illustrations are bright and fun, allowing us to feel as if we’re there with Joe and Sparky on that perfect blue-skied day.
Their differences are vast but their friendship is as tight as the glue that holds the fruit on Joe’s new hat. As they explore a store downtown, a drive-thru restaurant where they order flies but receive fries, a car wash and more, the reader will fall in love with this quirky duo. And by the end, I bet you’ll be begging for a pet giraffe.
Jamie Michalak has created a timeless book about friendship with just enough laughs to keep kids begging to read it over and over again. Frank Remkiewics’s illustrations are bright and fun, allowing us to feel as if we’re there with Joe and Sparky on that perfect blue-skied day.
March 28, 2011
Introverted turtle Sparky and adventureous giraffe Joe are best friends despite their differences. When Joe spies a car he’s certain he won in a contest, he convinces Sparky to come out of his shell and depart on an adventure like nothing Safari Land has ever seen before. The pair learn how to shop ‘til they drop, the difference between fries and flies, and the joys of wearing a fruit be-decked hat.
The characterizations of fun-loving Joe and safety-conscious Sparky are consistent throughout, and the illustrations perfectly capture the humor of the text. Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels is a charming story that will have children begging for re-reads. Parents will appreciate the sentiment that while there’s no place like home, it’s a good idea to stick your neck out for adventure every once in a while. Safety first, of course.
The characterizations of fun-loving Joe and safety-conscious Sparky are consistent throughout, and the illustrations perfectly capture the humor of the text. Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels is a charming story that will have children begging for re-reads. Parents will appreciate the sentiment that while there’s no place like home, it’s a good idea to stick your neck out for adventure every once in a while. Safety first, of course.
October 7, 2011
I really love this early reader! The second one is just as great, Joe and Sparky, Superstars! The stories are adventurous and funny and I can see kids curled up in a chair cracking up over Joe and Sparky's antics. The two opposite characters (Joe, an outgoing giraffe and Sparky, a turtle content to sit on a warm rock) not only add to the charm, but show kids that you can be great friends with people that are not at all like yourself. They are crazy and fun and the illustrations are superb. I'm definitely adding these to my gift-giving list!
November 14, 2014
Good story, which helps children understand that they should appreciate what is around them. They never know what they have until it's gone.
September 15, 2018
This book is filled with likable characters, silly humor, and short chapters. It's perfect for beginning readers. It is not something to take seriously but it is a lot of fun to read. There's always and adventure with this duo and its great and fun to see what they are up to next. I feel like kids won't be able to go a page without laughing, and parents will enjoy it too. I love all the artwork supporting the pages and all the bright and playful pictures etc.
December 8, 2018
Joe the giraffe, and Sparky the turtle take a car that Joe thinks he won in a contest on a road ride. With Joe driving, and Sparky hanging on for dear life they explore life outside the famous cageless zoo. They explore a shopping mall, and a car wash, and a burger joint all before returning to the zoo.
December 31, 2020
Big hit with the 2 and 4 years olds!
August 5, 2023
A very entertaining book about a giraffe who steals a car with his turtle friend and has misadventures all over the town.
November 21, 2013
This is a fun beginning chapter book featuring two unlikely pals, a turtle and a giraffe. They make somewhat of an "Odd Couple" kind of pair, with the curmudgeonly turtle who just wants to warm himself on his rock and a fun-loving giraffe who thinks up all kinds of crazy adventures. In this story, they go on an adventure to discover Sparky's special talent.
The illustrations are great and we immediately noted that the illustrator is Frank Remkiewicz, known to us best for his illustrations for the Froggy series with Jonathan London. The story is fun and it is a good introduction to chapter books.
We enjoyed reading it together and will look for the third book about this odd pair, Joe and Sparky Go to School, at our local library.
The illustrations are great and we immediately noted that the illustrator is Frank Remkiewicz, known to us best for his illustrations for the Froggy series with Jonathan London. The story is fun and it is a good introduction to chapter books.
We enjoyed reading it together and will look for the third book about this odd pair, Joe and Sparky Go to School, at our local library.
December 23, 2009
Joe the giraffe believes he has won a car, so he grabs skeptical buddy Sparky the turtle, and goes joyriding. Joe (the adventurous one) and Sparky (the cautious one) experience a shopping mall, a drive-in restaurant, an amusement park and a car wash. Hijinks ensue! Young readers will get a kick out of the friends' obliviousness to human constructs. This book reminded me very strongly of the excellent, similarly themed and even-more-hilarious Minnie & Moo series by Denys Cazet. Both are for K-2nd graders who love a funny story and grown-ups who also love a funny story. I really hope Joe & Sparky becomes a series!
January 26, 2011
Sparky is a turtle who really enjoys staying inside his shell in his pond; Joe is an adventurous giraffe who believes in stretching his neck to see the world--and who has just won a shiny yellow sports car in a contest. Joe is ready to see the world; Sparky is ready to go back to his pond, but will accompany Joe for a short, safe trip. This easy-to-read beginning chapter book describes the adventures the twosome have in the "new wheels." The illustrations are funny and brightly-colored and pair wonderfully with the story. Kids will want to read more about these escapees from Safari Land, the cageless zoo.
September 5, 2011
Joe (a giraffe) is the adventurous leader, Sparky (a turtle) would rather sit on his rock in the pond. But Sparky being a good friend, follows along, rather reluctantly, as Joe finds ways to spice up their humdrum existence. The writing is clear and easy to follow and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. The plot lines are appealing, involving a day outside the zoo in a car and the followup (Joe and Sparky, Superstars!) involves discovering one's talents. Character-wise, Joe's enthusiasm and Sparky's love of home make for a pair of endearing characters. Highly recommended as a read-a-loud or for early readers.
November 6, 2010
Joe the Giraffe thinks he as won a prize in a contest. He sees a brightly colored convertible by his gate and decides they have sent the car for him as his prize. He gets his friend Sparky the Turtle to go along for a ride with him. They then go on an adventure in the car. From getting fries at a restaurant to buying lots of new things at a store, their day is filled with adventures. It was a fun read. Easy to understand and even had elements of adventure. I liked that they tried something new and didn’t care about what anyone else was saying about them.
May 9, 2016
Joe the giraffe thinks he's won a car in a contest. (In reality, it belongs to a lady visiting the safari park, but both are clueless.) He takes his friend Sparky on a wild trip to town where they go on a shopping spree in a clothing store, visit a drive-in restaurant, and have all sorts of adventures.
Well, this was one wacky adventure of a book. It's divided into chapters for readers just starting to get confident in their skills, but is still packed full of eye-catching, colorful illustrations. Hand this to kids who like wacky animal adventures.
Well, this was one wacky adventure of a book. It's divided into chapters for readers just starting to get confident in their skills, but is still packed full of eye-catching, colorful illustrations. Hand this to kids who like wacky animal adventures.
Read
June 13, 2019I picked out this book, and as soon as my daughter saw it she took it from me and sat down to read! I think the cover and the pictures helped win her over and made her want to see what it was all about.
To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.
To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.
April 12, 2010
Ridiculously cute! It's a fun book about a giraffe and a turtle who go off on an adventure in a (stolen) car. Their naivete makes them endearing as they get themselves into all sorts of trouble. The wording of the text leaves much to be desired but the story and the brightly colored illustrations are superb!
August 9, 2012
Hilarious. This is a total comedy of errors. A kleptomaniac Giraffe & an OCD safety conscious turtle who can be friends against all odds. Loved watching my kid who is just about to start 1st grade read it to herself and laugh out loud after listening to me tell the story. We promptly went out and looked for any other books in this series and found Joe & Sparky Superstars!
February 10, 2025
Joe had entered a contest and believes he won the sports car that a woman drove into the zoo. Joe and Sparky take the car for a ride, and Joe, wearing the hat he found in the car, is mistaken for a lady everywhere they go. Fun story.
Short chapters: The Big Prize; Another Prize for Joe; Welcome to Tasty Burger; On the Road.
Short chapters: The Big Prize; Another Prize for Joe; Welcome to Tasty Burger; On the Road.
April 15, 2009
Minnie and Moo fans will love these friends. Silly animals who get themselves into some crazy ideas. I laughed and loved these two zoo animals who (think they) win a car. Great for a kid looking for a funny reader! Finally! Grades 1+
May 15, 2009
Joe is a giraffe and Sparky is a turtle and they have many adventures when Joe finds a car and talks Sparky into going for a ride. Oblivious to the craziness that they are causing, they travel to the mall, the car wash, and a drive-up restaurant. Fun reader for 1st/2nd graders.
January 4, 2014
RL 330. Joe (and adventurous giraffe) and Sparky (a reluctant turtle) escape the zoo to go shopping and eat at a drive-in restaurant. Humorous illustrations and story sure to hook early readers. Grades 1 and 2.
July 20, 2012
What's it like when a turtle, Sparky, who likes to stay in his shell adventures out with a giraffe, Joe, in a new car to see the sights? Lots of fun, that's for sure! Cute little beginning chapter book.
June 27, 2009
This one was really funny! I don't often find "beginning reader" books with an interesting plot and engaging characters, but this one has both.
December 1, 2009
A thoroughly cute and funny easy reader. The pictures are clever and tell even more of the story. My niece and nephews enjoyed this one, and so did I!
Read
December 10, 2009"unlikely friends, road trip, cars, 4 chapters"
March 23, 2010
Kind of cute!
June 1, 2010
Just the kind of silly book first graders enjoy!
August 7, 2011
This was a cute little book. Plenty of action and funny stuff for little kids. A bit long for preschool, but fun for kids learning to read.
November 29, 2011
This is a cute book that children enjoy reading. It is a book that is at the higher end of it's reading level. Children enjoy looking at the pictures as well as reading the book. Very enjoyable!
March 11, 2012
This short chapter book is written with large dollops of humor about two friends and their hilarious foibles on a road trip adventure away from the zoo. It's sure to be a favorite of young readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews