The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum [Library Binding]

Deborah Blumenthal (Author), Harvey Stevenson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

While in the park Sophie decides she wants a cookie and throws a tantrum when her mother will not give her what she wants.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Blumenthal evokes the all-out, single-minded hysteria of a child's tantrum in this minor first book. On a routine walk home from the park, Sophie becomes transfixed by a delectable-looking chocolate-covered cookie in the hand of another toddler. When her mother can't produce one, Sophie's demand escalates in urgency: " 'I WANT ONE!' she yelled, shaking her head from side to side, banging her feet on the ground. 'I WANT A COOKIE! I WANT A COOKIE!' " (The tantrum-verite prose occupies no less than seven spreads). Stevenson's (The Tangerine Tree) illustrations become more surreal as Sophie's tantrum snowballs: in one picture, pairs of violently kicking legs surround an angry red chili pepper face. When her frenzy suddenly abates, the pictures show tranquil scenes of wide lawns with leafy shadows. Even well-mannered children are likely to recognize Sophie's scene-making screaming, and the example of her nonjudgmental, unflappable mother (who surprises Sophie with a cookie after a nap and dinner) may hearten weary parents. Those weary parents will probably enjoy reading this story aloud, too?Blumenthal's one-note joke will let them rant and rave to their heart's content. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?A slice-of-life picture book that acknowledges the intense emotions of a toddler. On the way home from the park, Sophie spots another child eating a chocolate-covered cookie. "I want a cookie," she says pointing a stubby finger, "I want that cookie." Despite her mother's calm and logical responses, Sophie becomes more and more upset, finally launching into a tantrum that involves kicking, screaming, tears, and a face as "hot as a pepper." When the moment passes, an exhausted Sophie takes a nap and calmly eats her supper. The straightforward and simply worded text uses repetition to express the child's fury, frustration, and helplessness. As the little girl's emotions build to a crescendo, the language becomes more and more staccato, quickly returning to normal after the storm passes. The average-quality illustrations, painted with brightly colored acrylics, echo Sophie's emotional state, as pleasant images of the park turn into scenes of alienation and anger. One scene places her at the top of an erupting volcano, while another shows a red-hot pepper, surrounded by pairs of kicking feet. Both words and pictures capture the sudden and surprising intensity of the tantrum, and the reassuring comfort of the recovery. This title can be useful as bibliotherapy for children still too young for Aliki's Feelings (Greenwillow, 1984).?Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (September 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395686997
• ISBN-13: 978-0395686997
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,278,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deborah Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and nutritionist who now divides her time between writing children's books and adult novels. She has been a regular contributor to The New York Times (including four years as the Sunday New York Times Magazine beauty columnist), and a home design columnist for Long Island Newsday. Her health, fitness, beauty, travel, and feature stories have appeared widely in many other newspapers and national magazines including New York's Daily News, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Self, and Vogue.

Her latest YA novel, THE LIFEGUARD, will be published by Albert Whitman & Co, in March of 2012.

Blumenthal lives in New York City.

visit her on the web at:
www.deborahblumenthal.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, a parent allows their child to have feelings!, January 16, 2003

By 

dollface (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum (Paperback)

Sophie sees another child with a cookie, (and she's cranky and hungry and it's naptime) and she REALLY wants a cookie, but her mom says "no", they don't have one today, and Sophie has a tantrum, while her mom stands and listens and watches- she's there for her daughter without interfering, and when Sophie is done with her feelings, they go home, there is no judgement or shaming directed at Sophie for her "freak out", just matter-of-fact kindness. It's SO refreshing! I particularly like the message of the book which is that adults don't have to give children whatever they want or try to reason with them, distract them, etc.. They simply need to let children have their feelings about not getting what they want.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love this book!!, April 10, 2004

By 

"toobusyforthis" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum (Paperback)

What a fun and wonderful book this is. My 3 1/2 year old son loves it and even reads aloud with me his favorite parts (THE COOKIE! THE COOKIE!). We really relate to how Sophie feels when she gets really angry and what it feels (and looks)like to have a tantrum. There are no judgements in this book, only real feelings and patience and understanding from a mom. And it has a peaceful loving ending too. Bravo! to Harvey Stevenson and Deborah Blumenthal.... encore! encore!

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book for toddlers and their parents!, November 3, 1998

By 

Beth Friedman-Romell ([e-mail]) (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum (Library Binding)

Deborah Blumenthal puts her finger on the frustrations experienced by two-year-olds who don't know how to stop their tantrums once they start. The colorful and charming illustrations keep kids' attention, and the text is simple enough for your toddler to follow and memorize. It's a "universal," captivating book that really struck a chord with my own young son. Anyone dealing with the so-called "terrible twos" should like this book!