I Always, Always Get My Way by Thad Krasnesky; illustrated by David Parkins

In this cute and clever picture book, a precocious three-year-old tells all about the times she could have gotten in trouble… and didn’t. She spills orange juice on Dad, but her mom let’s her off because “After all… she’s only three.” She topples over her brothers model roller coaster and he takes the blame. When she “borrows” her sister’s skateboard to build onto her doll house and her sister has the nerve to take it back, the story is similar.

Events finally catch up to our narrator, however, when she loots the silver cabinet for buried reassure, floods the entire second floor, and dresses her brother’s pet iguana in a dolly’s bathing suit (among other charges).

Illustrator Parkins’ style is a great match for the sweetly snarky narration. The character facial expressions are perfect: totally animated, humorous, and believable. Told in verse, there is enough of a story line to keep kids entertained the whole way through as activities–and tempers–escalate. The entertaining “misunderstandings” about fault will amuse kids, as will the strange antics of the three-year-old narrator. Kids will love to watch as the book’s parents and kids go from wonder and assumed innocence to complete pout and tantrum, all while surrounded by ridiculous, messy situations. Too bad we all can’t always, always get our way!

 

Age 3-8

Copyright September 2009

ISBN: 9780979974649

Image from www.bn.com