Description
Given the choice, we think most kids would rather read John Burningham's books than taste slug dumplings, jump in nettles, or possibly even dance with a goat. However, in the delightfully silly Would You Rather... , readers are invited to play with these and many other ideas--absurd, gross, or tantalizing. A small mop-topped child lets his imagination run away with such personal challenges as, "Would you rather have supper in a castle, breakfast in a balloon, or tea on the river?" The oversized format is perfect for reading aloud, as long as the reader allows plenty of time for the audience to peruse the award-winning author-illustrator's humorous pictures (in one spread, the protagonist looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here as he is systematically crushed by a snake, swallowed by a fish, eaten by a crocodile, and sat on by a rhinoceros). For TV-weary children who have seen cartoon characters squashed and revived a thousand times, the nightmarish aspects of this reprinted 1978 charmer will not be overly alarming, but the faint of heart may want to look elsewhere for a soothing bedtime story... perhaps Burningham's own Hushabye ? (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter From Publishers Weekly "Would you rather... your dad did a dance at school or your mom made a fuss in a cafe?" John Burningham poses many more questions in Would You Rather... Humorous (and thought-provoking) vignettes accompany each possibility. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. John Burningham is the award-winning author-illustrator of many books for children including Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present, Mr. Gumpy's Outing, Cloudland, and Whaddayamean. He lives in England. Read more
Features & Highlights
- Internationally renowned author-illustrator John Burningham offers this hilarious book of choices for anyone who's ever wanted to do something completely out of the ordinary. In a series of challenges inspired by the childhood game "Top That!," Burningham lets your imagination soar with propositions from the whimsical to the outrageous.
- Playful illustrations and childlike humor will tickle readers of all ages, while a familiar refrain lets even the youngest listener participate. Booksellers, teachers, librarians, and storytellers will cheer the return of this read-aloud favorite, first published in 1978.
