Jay Leno - If Roast Beef Could Fly? Review

"If Roast Beef Could Fly" a children's book authored by entertainer Jay Leno and published by Simon & Schuster (Books for Young Readers) give the reader a look into the young life of Jay Leno and his family.  If this story is anything to go by, it could be how  his sense of humor developed early on.

In "If Roast Beef Could Fly" Leno is a young boy, who in involved with his father in a number of household projects, many of which have "interesting" endings, such as the missing parts to fixing the car, or accidents while cleaning the gutters. The project in this story is to renovate the backyard to create the best barbecue area (and barbecue dinners) "EVER"

As Jay and his father wander through the hardware superstore his father quickly purchases everything in sight, that he thinks will create the perfect bbq area.  So much so that the car quickly overflows with tools and gear and the store fills truckloads of equipment and delivers it to the home.

With the advice and help (and a mix of sarcasm by the author) the patio, and backyard barbecue area is created and a grand party event planned. A roast beef is created on the brand new rotisserie (no charcoal grill for this project loving dad). Left alone with a smoking roast beef bbq is more than this young boy can stand and disaster strikes as he attempts to help himself to a few bites of this succulent monster roast beef.

A happy ending is held by all with "400 pounds of slaw, 8 tons of macaroni and all the salad you can eat." The dog, Bruce was pretty happy too.

Price of Book and accompanying CD with Jay Leno narration, $14.99.

My Viewpoint : "If Roast Beef Could Fly" is age appropriate for the 7-10 crowd. Older children may enjoy the story and comedy, but won't admit it.  I am afraid when my daughter received it (as a gift) and her little sister received Sandra Boynton's Pajama Time, she exclaimed, "But I DON'T want it!" It is designed with the early reader in mind with words that they should know, and a few news ones to try out.

However, the illustrations are very exaggerated, and almost scary, even when I try to read the book to my young ones, They are designed as caricatures of a young Jay Leno and family members and emphasize his trademark jaw line.

Overall, entertaining and more enjoyable that it appeared to be at first glance. My suggestion, Jay Leno should put more of these stories together for comedy adult reading and entertainment and a few illustrations thrown in for fun.  That would be a read!