[.ca] Rhinos Who Skateboard (ISBN 0811823563)

Sidewalk Surfin' Rhino-Style:
Rhinos Who Skateboard is a wildly colorful ride down urban streets and city-scapes accompanied by the "gnarliest" skater lingo and a glossary to help decipher the garble for those who might not don baggy pants and crash-helmets. It's fun for kids and adults who enjoy reading to kids. Its illlustrations are eye-popping and give a perspective in visuals and language that stretches the ebonics arguments to newer levels!

Inappropriate Content for Age Group:
I bought this book for my two-year-old son who loves to watch skateboarders at our local park. While this book has fantastic illustrations, I feel that the written content is inappropriate for children of any age. I anticipated a nice story about Rhinos and their adventures in skateboarding. Instead, this book fosters the "teen punk" skateboard culture of questionable language and social skills. For example, there is one page in which the Rhinos are making fun of less talented skateboarders at a "geekfest". The book is littered with slang such as "throw down pole jams" and "sick flip tricks". As a mother who purchases books to encourage reading and learning, I find this book totally inappropriate for any age group. Our kids learn street language soon enough without seeing it in print. So, my son and I just look at the pictures!

Fun for kids and parents:
I just purchased this book for my 4 year old son who is obsessed with skateboarding (but not allowed to have a skateboard yet) - he loves it! The terminology is fun and keeps us both laughing. My only wish is that the rhinos were wearing appropriate safety gear - although there is a disclaimer at the end saying that rhinos heads are hard and kids aren't so kids should wear helmets. Overall I would highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.