Beatrice Doesn't Want To

by Laura Numeroff, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Overview

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?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763638436
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/13/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	344,540
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	460L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

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!"

Hometown:

Brentwood, California

Date of Birth:

July 14, 1953

Place of Birth:

Brooklyn, New York

Education:

B.F.A. with honors, Pratt Institute, 1975; attended Parsons College, 1975

Website:

http://www.lauranumeroff.com

Editorial Reviews

A host of reissued titles are back to greet a new generation of readers. Laura Numeroff's Beatrice Doesn't Want To (1981) returns with new illustrations by Lynn Munsinger. In this tale, Henry must take his obstinate sister to the library as he works on a report. But during a storytelling session, the librarian manages to change Beatrice's mind about libraries and books, if not her overall disposition, made all the more credible by Munsinger's emotive artwork. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

PreS-K-Beatrice doesn't like books. The last place she wants to be is in the library, but her older brother has to complete a report on dinosaurs and she is in his care. Done in watercolor, ink, and pencil and featuring floppy-eared canine characters, the expressive illustrations perfectly capture the humor of the text. Beatrice's facial expressions are priceless as she repeatedly attempts to distract her brother from his work: she clings to him with adoring and overly exaggerated interest; she taps him on the shoulder and proclaims, "I'm bored"; and she holds his tail as she trails his every move. Finally reaching his limit, Henry drops Beatrice off in the storytime room. To her grudging amazement, her interest is piqued and she even laughs out loud when the librarian reads a story about a roller-skating mouse. When Henry is ready to go, he finds Beatrice sitting quietly in a big stuffed chair, totally absorbed in the book. This charming tale emphasizes the importance of finding the right book for the right reader.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

"Beatrice didn't like books. She didn't even like to read. More than that, she hated going to the library." Unfortunately, her older brother Henry has to do his homework there and look after Beatrice as well. Henry unsuccessfully tries to interest her in the books. She watches him work and drives him crazy. The next day, she says she'll wait for him in a big, comfy chair, but she gets bored and drives him crazy again. On the third day, Henry sees a storytime advertised and drops her off. Though she fights it, the story of Albert Mouse wins her over, and Beatrice asks to look at the book herself afterwards. When Henry comes to get her, she says, "I don't want to!" As usual Munsinger's watercolor animals-in this case, dogs-are charmingly expressive. Watching Beatrice's face as she comes around is particularly wonderful. While big people might see the end coming, the target audience will enjoy the twist and wish for further adventures. (Picture book. 2-6)

Kirkus Reviews