Would You Rather...

By John Burningham

Book Overview

Would you rather have supper in a castle, breakfast in a balloon, or tea on the river? Would you rather be made to eat spider stew, taste slug dumplings, chew mashed worms, or drink a snail shake? In a series of challenges inspired by the beloved game Top That!, John Burningham lets readers' imaginations soar with propositions from the whimsical to the outrageous. Here is a surefire giggle-getter for storytime, perfect for sharing with any child who's ever wanted to do something completely out of the ordinary.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1587172178
• ISBN13: 9781587172175
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.7" x 0.2" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 12 years and under
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7

Customer Reviews

Forget Fear and Nasea before Bedtime's review!!!

I am delighted to see this book is available in reprint. I was lucky enough to enjoy it as a child in it's original form.. and many many nights would trot off to bed with it when told there would be a bedtime story!This book was my favorite. The illustrations are unique.. and make the reader curious about the unusual predicaments. Such fun!I think this is a wondeful children's book. And I am very happy to see that the new generation has an opportunity to enjoy it too.

A Fun, Funny, Discussion-provoking book

A year ago my family discovered this wonderful book and my kids and I all love it. They howl with glee over the disgusting choices, and ponder thoughtfully over the more enjoyable choices. There is always much discussion and explanation of preferences, the pros and cons of being pulled through the mud by a dog versus being covered in jam, or whether having a koala bear you can read to or a pig you can ride on would be more fun.This is one of the few books of my experience that transcends both sex and age - both my sons and my daughter, ranging from 3 -8 years all enjoy it, making it a rare commodity: something they can all agree on.But the best part is that now the kids love to make up their own "would you rathers". This has become a favorite car game, and I love the creativity and imagination they put into it.

Whole Brain Learning At Its Best

As a researcher and educator in the field of whole brain learning, I have to say I've loved this book for 25 years. Children 4-8 years old are not "undone" by the scenarios involved, rather they are delighted by guided choices that tantalize the right hemisphere where one imagines and generate energy in structures in the brain referred to as the limbic system. Perhaps some adults react with displeasure to the offerings, but children do not unless they are "trained" to react negatively to the ideas because of adult perceptions. Brainwise, children are NOT simply little adults. If you really want this book to have a true whole brain impact, do not display the illustrations until after a child has made a choice!

Great for teachers

This is a great book to use with students. Read them the story and have them write their own "would you rathers".

Would you rather...

This is a book of choices - choices that are not always so wonderful. Even so, the choosing is fun. Young children can learn about selecting the "lesser of two (or three or four) evils." When used with a group of readers, the idea of consensus can be examined.