No, David! 03/20/11

No, David! by David Shannon is is one of those picture books that both my children discovered on their own and love. It's Harriet's turn now to be fascinated by it.

David Shannon explains at the end of the book that his mother gave him a copy of the book he had written as a child. The word he knew most was "No!" and David, being his own name, seemed like a good one to use for the book. I have to wonder if there's not a tiny bit of roman à clef in picture book form happening here too.

So David is this nearly bald, snaggle-toothed toddler who gets into everything and has lots of bad ideas. While not every page is a "No, David!" the phrase is used often throughout.

I'm still not as enamored with No, David! as my children are, preferring instead Duck on a Bike and A Bad Case of Stripes but I am warming to the book. There are other books in the series including David Goes to School and David Gets in Trouble. We haven't read them but I think we will in the near future.

Four stars

Comments (4)

Comment #1: Monday, March, 21, 2011 at 06:41:29

Jeane

He's also written one called Alice the Fairy which my daughter absolutely loves!

Comment #2: Wednesday, March 21, 2011 at 12:22:04

Pussreboots

Alice the Fairy sounds like something my daughter would like. If I see it at the library, I'll bring it home.

Comment #3: Monday, March, 21, 2011 at 12:49:47

Callista

No David is a HILARIOUS book. I think it's so funny and I've read the other two you mention, they are great. The series is very popular at the playgroup we go to. There's one more too, David's Christmas I believe it's called. I haven't read that one.

Comment #4: Wednesday, March 21, 2011 at 12:24:24

Pussreboots

I think it's called It's Christmas, David. I've seen it at the library but haven't brought it home.