You know, conceptually these James Stevenson "Mr. Frimdimpny" books are great -- interactive like Mo Willems' "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" series, where the kids get to talk back to the characters in the book. But they just don't work for me (or for my 2.5yo toddler). The concept is, a big mean authority figure (male) tells the reader not to laugh, giggle, sing, etc. Then there is an ostensibly hilarious situation (a hippo dancing in a fragile glass store, a waiter knocking over a bunch of food), and the kid is supposed to not be able to help laughing. But honestly the jokes just aren't that funny -- even to a toddler and even with my best "hilarious voice". [return][return]The interactivity works better with Stevenson's "Quick, Turn the Page!" (we read it in French: "Vite, tourne la page!") where surprising things happen if you do or don't turn the page in particular ways. And also, Mo Willems' "Pigeon" series is great for kids getting to boss someone else around. (And perhaps see the absurdity of their own ploys? Nah.) But like I said it just doesn't work very well here. [return][return]Also, it doesn't help that virtually all the characters are coded male, and to the extent they are actually people, they are also white. Adding the lack of representational diversity on to the top of the not-as-funny-as-they-should-be, and I just can't recommend these books. [return][return](Review copied to both "Don't Make Me Laugh" and "No Laughing, No Smiling, No Giggling".) ( )

A very interactive book that will entertain students. Students are given the choice to tickle the waiter and make him spill his food, make the elephant sneeze, and sing to make the hippo dance. If you want a read aloud book for young students for the reason of entertainment, this is a good choice. I believe young students will thoroughly enjoy this book. ( )

Readers are requested not to laugh or do anything to influence the behavior of various animal characters in this book. ( )

You know, conceptually these James Stevenson "Mr. Frimdimpny" books are great -- interactive like Mo Willems' "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" series, where the kids get to talk back to the characters in the book. But they just don't work for me (or for my 2.5yo toddler). The concept is, a big mean authority figure (male) tells the reader not to laugh, giggle, sing, etc. Then there is an ostensibly hilarious situation (a hippo dancing in a fragile glass store, a waiter knocking over a bunch of food), and the kid is supposed to not be able to help laughing. But honestly the jokes just aren't that funny -- even to a toddler and even with my best "hilarious voice".

The interactivity works better with Stevenson's "Quick, Turn the Page!" (we read it in French: "Vite, tourne la page!") where surprising things happen if you do or don't turn the page in particular ways. And also, Mo Willems' "Pigeon" series is great for kids getting to boss someone else around. (And perhaps see the absurdity of their own ploys? Nah.) But like I said it just doesn't work very well here.

Also, it doesn't help that virtually all the characters are coded male, and to the extent they are actually people, they are also white. Adding the lack of representational diversity on to the top of the not-as-funny-as-they-should-be, and I just can't recommend these books.

(Review copied to both "Don't Make Me Laugh" and "No Laughing, No Smiling, No Giggling".) ( )

This book is a good example of fantasy because it talks about behaviors and emotions such as laughing, but uses animals making it unrealistic.
Media Used: Watercolor
Age Appropriatenss: Primary