Sneezle Beezle, he Runs on Diesel
The Very Best Friend for a Kid with the Measles
By Bruce Laybourn
Book App
Published on Jul 31, 2013 by Sneezle Beezle Ltd
32 Pages – ages 5+
Sneezle Beezle is a little robot who was built by a monk in the Himalayas and was sent out to find out about the world. Sneezle Beezle ends up in New Zealand, where he was picked up by a man and brought to a house where he meet a young boy named Dylan (who had the measles.) Dylan finally figures out what makes Sneezle run – he gives Sneezle diesel and then they have lots and lots of fun.
The story has a very interesting origin. Mr. Laybourn wrote this book as a way to help his son, Dylan, learn English. Dylan was abducted when he was four months old from his home in New Zealand and taken to Turkey by his mother. After the author was able to see his son again, Dylan didn’t know English, and Mr. Laybourn didn’t know Turkish, so Mr. Laybourn started reading Dylan stories in English that interested him. After a bit, he ran out of stories and started making his own. Sneezle Beezle is one of the stories.
I enjoyed the story in this book. The book app worked well and was formatted very nicely. The story itself is great. I like that the boy finds the robot and has to figure out how he works. I really liked the tongue-twistery feel to the rhyme in the story. It reminds me a bit of Dr. Seuss. The illustrations are detailed and go with the story very well. They have a realistic quality to them that I enjoyed. The Mr. Laybourn has written a very cute story for beginning readers. I think that the story behind the story is an added bonus. The rhyme, illustrations and story are a great combination!
I give Sneezle Beezle 5 out of 5 bookworms.
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Categories: Age 1-5
What an interesting origin to the story. It reminds me that when life deals you lemons, you make lemonade. The rhyme does sound delightful and cheers for the author for turning something so heart breaking into a story that children can enjoy. We will definitely check it out.
I think it’s interesting how authors come up with ideas. It is a sad story. The author does get to see his son now. 🙂
Measles?? People always say I look like I have measles because of my million spots. Why doesn’t Mom bring me a robot? All I have is the mechanical hamster, and that thing scared me so much I chewed it to bits.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
You need a robot Cupcake!
What an interesting book and a great story behind it. I’m so glad they were reunited.
Thank you Ms. Johnson!
An added bonus indeed!!
🙂 Thank you Mrs. RoZo!
I like the cover. What a sad story behind the story. Maybe this will be the happy ending the little boy deserves. 🙂
The story is fun too Ms. Morris! 🙂
The back story is deeply moving and such an inspiration to write children’s stories. Great review, Erik.
Thank you Dr. Clune!
I find the father’s story very moving. It does add to the story, which sounds like a fun read for kids.
There is a 60 minutes segment on Mr. Laybourn’s ordeal (the publisher sent it to me) that was very sad. I am happy he made a great book out of this terrible thing. There of picture of him and his son in the back of the book (Dylan is now 6). The story is a fun read. 🙂
What an amazing original concept (Monks build robots?) and an even more amazing backstory.
Who knew?!?
Fun name and great sounding story! I like the BIG eyes on the cover. Great review, SuperKid!
The name is fun to say! 🙂
I love the originality of the idea, Erik, and the cover looks really well done 🙂 The history of the book is bittersweet, but nice that it started out bitter and ended up sweet 🙂 What a loving father…and lucky son.
It is a cool idea. I like that Mr. Laybourn used rhyme to teach his son. 🙂
I love the title and the cover! Sounds like a good one! And the backstory is an interesting one as well.
The rhyme is very fun to say too Rhythm! 🙂
Love the playful rhyme! 🙂
😀