📖 Overview
A young girl chronicles a series of creative but questionable ideas she attempts at home and school. Her schemes involve stapling her brother's hair, imitating a beaver, and convincing her classmates about historical facts.
Each page features the narrator's latest plan followed by the resulting consequence, which leads to a new item on her list of forbidden activities. The story maintains a pattern of mischief and parental response, illustrated with mixed media artwork combining photography and drawings.
This picture book captures childhood imagination, rule-testing, and the universal experience of learning about boundaries. The narrator's unfiltered perspective on her own actions creates humor while subtly exploring the development of cause-and-effect understanding in young minds.
👀 Reviews
Parents and educators have opposing reactions to this picture book. The average rating across platforms is 3.8/5 stars.
Readers praise:
- The protagonist's creative spirit and determination
- Realistic portrayal of childhood mischief
- Humorous illustrations that expand on the text
- Resonates with both children and adults
Common criticisms:
- Book may encourage disobedience
- Main character faces no consequences
- Behavior depicted crosses from funny into dangerous
- Too focused on negative actions
One teacher notes: "My students laugh at the situations but understand why these actions aren't allowed." A parent counters: "This book gave my child ideas for new ways to misbehave."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 3.7/5 (180+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (40+ ratings)
The book appears more popular with children than their parents, according to review demographics.
📚 Similar books
No, David! by David Shannon
A young boy tests boundaries through mischievous behavior while his mother responds with a recurring refrain of "no."
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Alexander encounters mishaps and misfortunes throughout his day, from waking up with gum in his hair to being served lima beans for dinner.
Judy Moody Was in a Mood by Megan McDonald A third-grader creates lists and rules while navigating school situations with her distinctive perspective.
My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy! by Dan Gutman A second-grade student documents the strange occurrences in his classroom with his unconventional teacher.
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary A kindergartener's misadventures unfold as she interprets rules and instructions in her own way.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Alexander encounters mishaps and misfortunes throughout his day, from waking up with gum in his hair to being served lima beans for dinner.
Judy Moody Was in a Mood by Megan McDonald A third-grader creates lists and rules while navigating school situations with her distinctive perspective.
My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy! by Dan Gutman A second-grade student documents the strange occurrences in his classroom with his unconventional teacher.
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary A kindergartener's misadventures unfold as she interprets rules and instructions in her own way.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Author Jenny Offill is also renowned for her adult novels, including the critically acclaimed "Dept. of Speculation" and "Weather"
📚 The book's illustrator, Nancy Carpenter, has illustrated more than 40 children's books and won numerous awards for her work
🎨 The story's distinctive art style combines multimedia elements including photographic images, pencil drawings, and watercolor
✍️ The book was inspired by Jenny Offill's own childhood experiences and her daughter's creative—though sometimes mischievous—problem-solving approaches
🏆 The book earned a spot on the New York Public Library's "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing" list and was named an ALA Notable Children's Book