Beatrice Doesn't Want To - Softcover

Numeroff, Laura

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0763638439 ISBN 13: 9780763638436

Publisher: Candlewick, 2008

Synopsis

Beatrice’s expressions are priceless. . . . This charming tale emphasizes the importance of finding the right book for the right reader. — School Library Journal

Beatrice doesn’t like books, and she doesn’t like tagging along with her brother to the library. She doesn’t want to get books from the shelf. She doesn’t want to let Henry work. And she certainly doesn’t want to sit in a room full of kids during story hour. Is there anything that could possibly change her mind?

About this title

About the Author:

Laura Numeroff is the author of many best-selling books for children, including IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE and IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO THE MOVIES, illustrated by Felicia Bond, as well as WHAT MOMMIES DO BEST, WHAT DADDIES DO BEST, WHAT GRANDMAS DO BEST, and WHAT GRANDPAS DO BEST, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Of BEATRICE DOESN'T WANT TO, she says, "This story is definitely NOT autobiographical, as my favorite place to go as a kid was the library!"

Lynn Munsinger has illustrated more than ninety books for children,
including SCORE ONE FOR THE SLOTHS, SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN, TACKY THE PENGUIN, and HOORAY FOR WODNEY WAT, all by Helen Lester, as well as THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON by Ogden Nash. She says, "I've always been a big fan of Laura Numeroff's writing, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this story to life. I particularly enjoyed creating Beatrice's character — she gave me the opportunity to create so many great facial expressions!"

From Booklist:

PreS-Gr. 2. In Numeroff and Munsinger's fourth collaboration, a reluctant reader discovers, in spite of herself, the power of a good book. "Henry had to look after Beatrice. He also had to write a report on dinosaurs." Where better to do both than at the library? Unfortunately, little Bea "hated going to the library." Once there, she greets Henry's every suggestion with a muleish "I don't want to." Finally, a serendipitously timed story hour (and a very funny book) convince her of the library's charms. The siblings are cleverly cast as bassett hounds, an endearing species in any context. Munsinger, queen of anthropomorphic animals, makes them even more so, manipulating their naturally elastic features to reflect Beatrice's moods--beseeching, sulky, endearingly angelic--and to extend the humor of Numeroff's typically pitch-perfect text. Though the plot is somewhat thin and the ending far from surprising, adults will dab at their eyes over the ever-rousing message about the glories of reading; little ones will sympathize with Bea's tagalong status; and big kids will groan in recognition at her contrarian ways. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0763638439
• ISBN 13: 9780763638436
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Munsinger Lynn