Title: Oh No, George!
Author & Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Check out the interview at Playing By the Book.
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2012
Book Type: Fiction
Ages: 2-5
Themes: Self-Control, Behavior, Decision Making
Excerpt:
“George sees something in the kitchen. It’s a cake! I said I’d be good, George thinks, but I LOVE cake.
What will George do?”
Synopsis (from Amazon website):
George is a dog with all the best intentions. And his owner, Harry, has all the best hopes that George will be a well-behaved dog when he leaves him alone for the day. But when George spies a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table, his resolve starts to waver. You see, George loves cake. . . Uh-oh. What to do now? It’s so hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase and flowers to dig up! What ever will Harry say when he gets back? Chris Haughton’s fetchingly funny story and vibrant, retro illustrations are sure to lure dog lovers of all ages – and anyone who has ever met a temptation too good to resist.
Activities:
Storytime:
Read the book aloud, and have the kids say the repetitive lines. Have the kids predict what George will do. Use the book to jump-start a discussion on everyday decisions that kids have to make and how to handle temptation.
Classroom:
- Story Kit from Candlewick containing discussion questions and some printables (Sorry coupon, drawing prompt)
- Writing prompts and coloring worksheets.
Why I Like This Book:
This book at first appears to be a simple story of a dog being left at home, but it is so much more than that as the reader gets pulled into George’s emotions of excitement, deliberation, naughtiness, and remorse. A great way to teach kids about temptation but also forgiveness. Harry forgives George when he makes a mess at home, which I thought was very sweet; a lesson I need to be reminded of from time to time.
There are three temptations in the book a cake, cat, and flowers which each appear twice in the book. In the first half of the book when a temptation is shown the reader is asked “What will George do?” followed by a full-page illustration of George making a bad choice and the words “Oh no, George!” He then feels remorse for making a mess and upsetting Harry, this is the turning point as you see George’s character grow. Once again George is presented with the same three temptations but this time he makes good choices. My favorite is the ending of George next to a trashcan, leaving the decision up to the reader of what George will do next.
This is also a wonderful, Read Together book. There is a lot of repetition and predictability in the book. The short, simple repetitive sentences my 4-year old “reads”, while I do read the rest. I also blend in the good choice/bad choice teaching method that is used in my daughter’s preschool classroom. My daughter will give me a thumbs up or down for each of George’s decisions. The illustrations are simple with clean lines and bold colors, they are eye-catching. Take a look at the trailer below.
This review is part of Susana Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book series. Visit her site to see the other books recommended.
NOTE ADDED 10/16/12: This book was nominated by Eliza for the 2012 Cybils Awards in the Fiction Picture Book category. I am a second-round judge in this category, but this review reflects my opinions only, not those of any other panelist, or the panel as a whole. Thanks!
Flowering Minds 