What would you do if this happened to you?

Grandma Found a Gecko

What would you do if you found a Gecko inside your shoe? This small mostly nocturnal tropical lizard related to the family Gekkonidae, has toe pads that cling to smooth surfaces. Hence, the problem that grandma is about to encounter. This animal is sometimes kept as a pet and is also found in warm regions. But, the adhesive pads on his digits, allow him to climb on smooth surfaces. When Grandma found this gecko inside of her right shoe she screamed and yelled. Grandpa heard the echo and had no idea what to tell her to do. Poor Grandma was scared because this little gecko was inside her right shoe. Running, stomping, hoping that this would just jump out, which it did not, you can tell from the colorful illustrations that poor grandma seriously had no idea how to rid herself of this creature. But, even with Grandpa telling her to hold still Grandma did not listen and ran out of the house stomping her right foot.
Mr. Lee is her neighbor and thinks he just might have the solution. What about taking off the shoe and pulling it off to get him out of the shoe? But, Grandma was adamant and refused to do that her answer was EW EW! Just look at the expression on her face, the fear and the frustration as the mail lady, Mrs. Hall comes down the street. Calming hoping to help her Grandma screamed and pointed to her shoe and yelled INSIDE INSIDE! But, when she finally told Mrs. Hall the problem she asked how did it get that way? But when the mail lady pulled off her shoe you won’t believe what happens. Looking inside the shoe, around the shoe where did it go? Where would a gecko hide? How come when they checked the shoe up and down and inside out it disappeared? Of did it? You won’t believe where it turned up and what poor Grandma did. This gecko is smart, clever and what he does well you have to see it for yourself because you might think he’s human, got a sense of humor or a just a kid who wanted to play a practical joke on poor Grandma. She screamed, yelled get it off me and the illustrations bring it all to life and the large font helps kids and adults know that Grandma was yelling and scared. But, wait until Grandpa comes out and tries to calm her down. Where was the little guy? He was no longer in her shoe and no longer on her blouse. He was no longer anywhere or was he? When she finally calmed down and was relaying her terrible experience to so many people you won’t believe what Grandpa saw. If you want to know where the little guy is or what he did you won’t get that from me because I promised the gecko I wouldn’t tell. After all we don’t want Grandma to start yelling again and only Grandpa, the gecko, me and of course of the young readers that read this hilarious story will know the answer. This is a brightly illustrated book by James P. Cottage and written by author Vincent F.A. Golphin to teach young readers what happens when a grownup gets anxious, upset and has to learn to remain calm. This is a great way to teach children about the gecko, make up their own adventures for him and hopefully they won’t send him back to Grandma. What would they do if a Gecko was stuck inside their shoe? What would you do? Grandma Finds a Gecko is great for children in the lower grades and for parents to read to them at home. Non-readers can understand the story just by looking at the pictures. So, the next time you put on a pair of shoes make sure there is no one hiding inside one of them.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine