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As a mom to three angelic children ranging from toddlerhood to pre-adolescence, I’m perfectly accustomed to stating things such as, “It’s clean up time,” or “It’s time to leave now,” and being met with a chorus of, “Okay, Mom!”
Yeah, right.
The reality is that the word “no” is spoken approximately 14,927 times a day in my world, whether it’s coming out of my mouth as my toddler is found standing on the kitchen table or it’s being shrieked at such an incredibly high-pitch that the area dogs have simply packed their belongings and left. To my delight, Tom Warburton, an author who obviously has been around a toddler or two in his days, has created a whimsical new children’s book, 1000 Times No to help bring some much needed levity and humor to these oh-so-familiar scenes.
As you open to the first page, Noah the diaper-wearing tot appears, big cartoonish curls popping off his head and sucking away on his thumb. When his mother appears and informs him that it is time to leave, the real story begins. The storm starts to rage as Noah expresses his feelings to this announcement in one creative way after another. The word “no” is spoken in a variety of languages, some authentic and some just plain silly, and each is accompanied by a visual illustration that made me and my little ones giggle time and again. At one point, even the little bear on his diaper is matching his changing expressions face for face!
This simple and very relatable story appealed to my young ones, each on his or her own level– my 20 month old laughed at the pictures and the funny voices that simply have to be used to read this aloud, while my 3 year old had a look of absolute understanding as the fit went on and on. (She should. She’s a champion.) I’m a sucker for the illustrative style- cartoon-like, with thick black outlines and splashes of soft colors. 1000 Times No is a book to help us mamas (and papas!) explore the darker side of learning to express oneself with our children, in a humorous and light-hearted way.
Have I convinced you that you simply need to have a copy of this book? Leave a comment to win a copy, complete with personalized inscription from the author! (US and Canadian residents only, please.)
Dawn lives in Maryland, but she’s pretty sure that her children’s protests can be heard at least as far west as Kansas. Her chronicles of parenthood can be found at my thoughts exactly.
The winner of If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Be Okay is #23 Adele
The winners of I Spy A to Z are
#176 Hesper F., #11 Linda White, #165 Steph, #123 etirv
Susan says
Oooh … would love this! Thank you for a fun giveaway!
kathy pease says
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in 🙂
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
Not an entry: just a note that I’ve posted about this on Winning Readings:
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/07/1000-times-no.html
Angela C. says
I would love to win a copy of the book. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
Tracydr says
My 5 year old son is big on saying “no”. “no” to everything. I would LOVE to win this book.
pixie13 says
My daughter would definitely love this book.
Annette W says
This book sounds like my daughter! She’s two. Need I say more??
Alicia says
Sounds like a perfect book for this family’s library!
israel y says
oh yeah! my son would love this!
Lea says
This sounds like a fun book that my daughter and I would enjoy!
Mommy Magee says
FUNNY! I’m getting ready soon for the terrible 2’s and will love this book!
Michelle says
No, lol! Yep, we hear that a lot around our house. Usually before bedtime. 🙂
Lisa says
I’d love to read this to my son!
Lorie Shewbridge says
This sounds like such an adorable book, I’d love to win it for my grandson. Thanks for the chance.
Adele says
Well not only will be 16 month old grandson love this book but maybe my 22 year old son would enjoy reading it.
Staci A says
This sounds like a great book. I hear “no” around here more times a day than I could possibly count!
Shanna Flaschka says
Oh, wow! I have a five-year-old and twin three-year-olds, and I definitely hear “NO!” at least a 1000 times a day! Though I say it just as much!
Barbara M says
I have a grand daughter who this book is perfect for.
Beth says
I say “no” all day long. This sounds like a fun book.
Thao says
I think these days are coming for me and this book would be great to see the humor in children.
member (dot) thao (at) gmail.com
Marj says
Thank you for this chance to laugh myself silly. OMGoodness do I remember the tantrums. Mercy.
Maureen says
This sounds like a fun book to read out loud to my boys. Thanks,
Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Stephanie says
As a mom of a champion 3-year-old fit-thrower, I think I need this book!
Mary Ward says
Running a daycare, I must use the word no a zillion times a day. I’m sure the kids would get a kick out of this book.
Tammy Gordon says
Would love to win this!!
emily says
I’ve heard wonderful things about this book, and think it would be perfect for my very stubborn 3 year old.
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
Would love to have this book!
Jinii Boren says
I totally need this book. I think I said no to my daughter 200 times in 10 minutes.
Jen Nutzhorn says
Love to win this book!
Holly at Tropic of Mom says
Sigh, the word no. It’s either that or my toddler pretends not to hear me.
Pam says
That looks like a fabulous book! It reminds me of my favorite They Might be Giants song, “No!”
cris says
My guys all know this word (since the youngest was able to learn it from the oldest from an early age). We’d love to win this!
Tarasview says
oh I would LOVE to win this book!
Shannon (The Mommy-Files) says
I NEED this book for myself and my 3 boys. Thanks for the great recommendation 🙂
Alison says
Would love to win this! My 3 year old’s new version of “no” is “You do it.” Uh, someone needs an attitude adjustment!
Sarah says
I would love to read this one!
Emily L says
I would love to read this. 🙂
Misty says
I just found your site! I would love to win this book!
alissa says
Sounds very familiar!!!! I’d love to check it out. Thanks.
Holly says
I would love a copy of this. Somehow it would be so appropriae for my daughter who loves to scram NO! at the top of her lungs.
Stefany says
No? I don’t think I have heard that today… well at least not in the past 30 seconds. OH, never mind. I have now heard it 3 times in the last 30 seconds. 🙂
Lisa says
I’m the mom of three boys – youngest is five – I babysit toddlers. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve said “no!” 😉 This book looks super cute.
Magi says
This sounds like a great book to read my 3-year-old.
Jen says
Love to try that!
Heather H says
Sign me up – I’d love to have this book!
Jen says
Count me in!
LT says
This sounds so cute! Thank you for the chance to win!
denise says
I need this book. 😉
denise_22315(at)yahoo(dot)com
Allyson says
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win!
The Diaper Diaries says
Looks adorable. And sadly, way up my kid’s alley 🙂
Mary says
This sounds like a really great book. The waiting list for it in our library system is currently at 19, so we’re going to be waiting at least 38 weeks before we get to read it if we don’t win a copy.
susan says
My little one has just learned to shake his head to mean “no”. I’m sure he’d love this one!
Linsay says
this book looks right up my alley, my son is 2 and NO is his favorite word!
Liz C. says
Sounds like a very cute book! We would love to win one! 🙂
Laureen says
Definitely cute. I’m going to have to try and find a copy of this one sometime. Because the word “no” is one that I’m more than willing to laugh at; not just dread.
Maddy says
Me? I’ll try anything once.
Cheers