Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-5. Like many young children, the little boy in this picture book has evidently protested against taking a nap, riding in his car seat, brushing his teeth, and so on. The sensible text answers his complaints through comparison. "You don't like to get dressed in the morning? / It's a good thing you're not an octopus. / If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants." The three accompanying illustrations show a pajama-clad child as his mother hands him his clothes, an octopus in the wild, and the same octopus looking a bit worried as he sits beside the child and attempts to put on many-legged pants. Children will enjoy the visual humor, which juxtaposes the familiar and the bizarre to achieve the silliness that preschoolers best appreciate. Warm, rich colors brighten the line-and-watercolor illustrations. Fun to read aloud. --Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
First-time author Markes serves up a bit of inventive psychology for dealing with an uncooperative child in this subtle picture book. The unseen caretaker of a preschooler with a penchant for eschewing any idea of a daily routine presents the boy with alternate scenarios that make his own lot seem palatable. As the pajama-clad protagonist grins from beneath his bed covers, the narrative reads, "You don't like to get dressed in the morning?/ It's a good thing you're not an octopus./ If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants!" The boy then envisions an octopus struggling to get dressed on the bed next to him. Similar scenes unfold as the boy realizes that being himself--and doing what's asked of him--is better than being any of the animal characters he imagines. In a simple question-and-answer format, Markes addresses a common and frustrating challenge for parents and suggests a disarming, nonconfrontational solution. Smith (There's a Witch Under the Stairs) uses a crisp watercolor palette to depict a realistic setting filled with child-friendly touches (car seat, bright toys and books) and lots of humor. (Don't miss the shark brushing its teeth.) Ages 3-6. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-A delightful romp with a little boy who is reluctant to do those daily activities that are part of a preschooler's learning experience. As readers follow him and his stuffed frog through the day, comparisons to various animals are drawn. As he struggles to get dressed, the narrative reads, "If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants!" The accompanying illustration shows an exasperated octopus looking troubled at his attempt to accomplish this feat. Other comparisons include a caterpillar trying to put on 16 shoes, a shark brushing 200 teeth, and a bear having to nap all winter long. All conclude with the refrain, "It's a good thing you're not a-." In the end, the preschooler's challenges are summed up with "It's a good thing you're you!" Just enough science information for preschoolers to absorb is presented simply and entertainingly and Smith's watercolor illustrations in bright, bold colors are whimsical and charming. The ridiculousness of the animals in the boy's situation will not be lost on this age group and will prompt laughter all around.-Patti Gonzales, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A boy who complains about getting dressed, riding in his car seat, and more is answered with funny worst-case scenarios: You don't like to take a nap? It's a good thing you're not a bear. If you were a bear, you would have to nap all winter long! The tone is silly, and the cheerful illustrations convey the absurdity in the text. This book may just do the trick for some contrary toddlers. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
First-time author Markess impish tale will tickle tiny funny bones. Burdensome tasks seem a lot less onerous to a young boy when he considers the alternatives. Focusing on mundane happenings in a toddlers typical day, Markes touches on a host of classic toddler power struggles: getting dressed, submitting to the confines of a car seat, and the dreaded bedtime, with its attendant traumas of brushing teeth and taking a bath. However, a quick peek at the animal kingdom provides the recalcitrant tot with all the motivation he needs to determine that the grass is greener on his side of the fence. Loathe naptime? Just think, Markes cautions readers, If you were a bear, you would have to nap all winter long! Preschoolers will delight in the unabashedly silly animal/human comparisons, and may even learn a little something too. For instance, donning one pair of shoes seems a breeze in comparison to a caterpillars whopping 16 tootsies that would need to be shod. Smiths (Dear Daisy, Get Well Soon, 2000, etc.) lighthearted, full-color illustrations provide a perfect comic counterpart to the outlandish tale. Each topic culminates in a full-bleed, two-page illustration depicting both the human and animal youngsters engaged in similar activities, with uproariously funny results. A wonderfully droll way to diffuse toddler tantrums, this should be tucked into every diaper bag. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
