I Can't Do Anything!

PreS-Gr 1—This charming story about growing up compares the behavior of animals (and a younger brother) to things that the narrator can no longer do. She laments not being able to stick out her tongue like Chameleon, eat with her fingers like Squirrel, spit like Llama when she's mad, burp like her baby brother, etc. After listing all of the bad habits, the resigned little girl says, "I am a perfectly well-behaved girl, but… I can imitate them!" The last page shows her standing on her bed, looking in the mirror. The softly illustrated spreads, with the animal on one side and child on the other, show the dichotomy between inappropriate behavior and courteous manners. The book concludes with a note for parents that offers tips on addressing socially unacceptable behavior and gives guidance on setting family rules, using positive reinforcement, and picking your battles.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH