Don't Make Me Laugh [Hardcover]

James Stevenson (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"Mr. Frimdimpny, a heavy, bossy, gloomy alligator, lays down the rules for this book: do not laugh! Do not smile! If you do, you have to go back to the front of the book. Then various slapstick scenes show animal characters in mess and mayhem-caused by the reader." --Booklist

"A giggly masterpiece." --Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"I am in charge of this book. I make up the rules," announces Mr. Frimdimpny, a snaggletoothed creature (crocodile? alligator? dragon?) who lays down the law: "Do not laugh! Do not even smile! Don't do anything you are told not to do." Noting that he, personally, never laughs or smiles, the stern taskmaster cautions readers that they must go back to the beginning of the book if they fail to follow his directions. In a trio of vignettes, Stevenson proves that some rules are indeed made to be broken as various animal characters take turns instructing readers NOT to do things. In the first sequence, for example, a canine waiter, carrying an enormous tray of food, begs readers not to tickle him in a certain spot, conveniently marked with a large red X: "Wait... What are you looking at? You are staring at my red X. What are you thinking? OH, NO!" Comic calamity results. Finally, when Mr. Frimdimpny conducts an exercise to determine if, as he suspects, readers are "smiling a tiny bit," he himself commits an offense that sends HIM back to the front of the book. Stevenson's trademark understated humor hits the bull's-eye; it's hard to imagine the reader who won't join in the joke. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K A book that is sure to make young children giggle. In fact, Stevenson has practically guaranteed their laughter by introducing Mr. Frimdimpny, a bossy crocodile who ORDERS them not to laugh and explains that he is in charge of this book. He lays down the law no laughing or else readers will have to start the book all over again. Running commentary is offered by a pair of bears who smiled and met the consequences. Each of the three very short stories involves slapstick humor. There is a ticklish waiter, an elephant with a cold, and a hippo who can't stop dancing. In the end, Mr. Frimdimpny cannot obey his own rule and must begin again. The twist is in the circular nature of the book. The illustrations are pure Stevenson, from the crocodile with his stern eyes and snaggly teeth to Fendently, the ailing elephant. The animals are set against clean white backgrounds, making them look even more awkward (and, of course, funny). The crocodile's declarations are in large, bold type, while the bears' dialogue is hand printed. The book is a surefire winner at storytime as well as for family reading time. The large cartoons and short text keep everyone's attention focused on the zany action. Susan Marie Pitard, Weezie Library for Children, Nantucket Atheneum, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1st edition (September 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374318271
• ISBN-13: 978-0374318277
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,660,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second graders at Halley Elementary loved this book!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Make Me Laugh (Hardcover)

All of the second graders at William Halley Elementary in Fairfax Station, Virginia enjoyed this book when it was read aloud during a recent library visit. When asked to review the title for other children, their comments ranged from, "This is a really, really funny book!" to "I liked the rules for reading the best!" to "Tell the author to write another book like this one!" The seven and eight year old students loved being ordered to return to the front of the book whenever they laughed at the characters' antics; they appreciated being participants in the stories, not just readers. The students enthusiastically recommend this title, and give the book a Halley Hornet rating of 10 out of a possible 10.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Giggles Galore :-)), July 31, 2001

By 

"ynnig" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Make Me Laugh (Hardcover)

We found this Gem at the library this week..and boy are we glad we did!! My 5 & 7 year old sons were in hysterics! Out of the 28 books we took out this week and the countless we've taken out this past year...this is the hands down winner!! My 5 year old starts giggling as soon as we open the book! Definitely a book that will be under the Christmas tree this year. Worth every penny!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hilarious!, January 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Make Me Laugh (Hardcover)

My 6 year old daughter has taken this book out 3 times [so far] since discovering it in her school library. Not only has it encouraged her to read, she and her friend acted it out as a play, with props and all!
She thinks it is the most hilarious book she has ever read!