Don’t Forget the Exclamation Point! – “Don’t Books” for Kids
Not too long ago, we highlighted some "advice" books for kids; while I was doing research for that post, I found that the most frequent advice that we give to kids tends to begin with the word "don't" and end with an exclamation point.
Here are a few examples of "Don't Books" that you can find at Toronto Public Library:
Don't Forget the Bacon! by Pat Hutchins (Ages 4-8)
That’s just good advice for practically everyone!
Don't Give this Book a Bowl of Milk! by Benjamin Bird (Ages 4-7)
Be careful if you come across this book in the library “cat”alogue!
Don't Turn the Page! by Rachelle Burke (Ages 4-7)
Bedtime just might get a little longer if you do!
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems (Ages 3-6)
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! by Mo Willems (Ages 3-6)
…and whatever you do, DON'T LISTEN TO THE PIGEON!
Don't Slam the Door! by Dori Chaconas (Ages 4-7)
…because one thing will lead to another!
Don't Sneeze at the Wedding by Pamela Mayer (Ages 5-8)
Try wiggling you earlobe, pinching your nose, or whispering "pineapple" instead.
Don't Splash the Sasquatch! by Kent Redeker (Ages 3-6)
Or he just might get “squizzlefied”!
Don't Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup (Ages 3-5)
Do try to help her to stay asleep! (There's no exclamation point at the end of this book title…probably because we shouldn’t shout while the tiger is sleeping!)
Whatever You Do, Don't Go Near that Canoe! by Julie Lawson (Ages 5-8)
Adventure awaits but beware your fate!
If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! by Elise Parsley (Ages 5-8)
If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't! by Elise Parsley (Ages 5-8)
Do yourself a favour and just don’t…
…but please DO read and enjoy these books!
5 thoughts on “Don’t Forget the Exclamation Point! – “Don’t Books” for Kids”
Interesting list. I guess kids do hear the “don’t” word a lot from their paren’ts and teachers, so it’s fun for them to see it
in contexts such as “If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!”
Thanks Joe. It was a fun list to make. 🙂
I think children love being contrary. A sure way to get them to do something is to say, “Don’t “. Witness “Oh no Nicky” by Harriet Zeifert which is sadly out of print. It is also great fun to watch someone else get in trouble- all in a very gentle, humouress way of course.
Should be humorous.
Thank you Norma Brem. You’re absolutely right, children (and maybe sometimes adults too!) love to do those things that they’re told not to do and so it’s good to read them stories where they can see the consequences without getting in to trouble themselves. And if you can add a little laughter to the lesson…even better.