Do's and Dont's [Board book]

Todd Parr (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

"DO brush your teeth after every meal. DON'T brush with peanut butter. Here are all of Todd's favorite do's and don'ts. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Todd Parr likes to keep things simple. In his world, there isn't much gray area between good and bad... and in his small, square books, blazing with primary colors and positive "it's okay to be you" reinforcement, there is no gray at all! Do's and Don'ts could be called an etiquette primer--sort of. "Do change your socks every day," he tells us. "Don't make anyone smell them," he adds. "Do have lunch with a monkey," but "don't eat his bananas." "Do brush your teeth after every meal," but "don't brush with peanut butter." You get the idea. With all of the titles in this series--Things That Make You Feel Good, Things That Make You Feel Bad, This Is My Hair, and The Okay Book--young children will no doubt giggle at Parr's childlike, funny illustrations of various slapstick scenarios as well as his references to smelly feet, food in the hair, chocolate-covered bugs, worm stew, and the like. Sometimes all you need is a little silliness, and these bold, colorful books fit the bill. (Baby to preschool)

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-A set of clever, small-sized offerings illustrated with boldly outlined minimalist drawings done in primary colors. The round, stick-figure characters are presented with green faces, yellow faces, blue hair, and green hair, and are often amusingly out of proportion. Do's and Don'ts is a balanced selection of the advisable and the ludicrous. "Do help keep the house clean/Don't vacuum up the cat." Alternating silly and serious suggestions makes the sensible advice palatable for kids. The Okay Book is a refreshingly agenda-free affirmation of individuality. "It's okay to wear two different socks...It's okay to wear glasses...It's okay to eat all the frosting off your birthday cake." Things That Make You Feel... gently reminds readers of the balance in their lives, "Good chicken soup/Bad chicken pox." This Is My Hair is straightforward and humorous: "This is my Hair in pigtails/This is my Hair with spaghetti and meatballs in it." A short, but appropriate message from the author at the end of the book states, "No matter how your hair looks, always feel good about yourself." All four titles offer reassuring and kindhearted lessons.
Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Board book: 24 pages
• Publisher: Megan Tingley; Board edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316692131
• ISBN-13: 978-0316692137
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,512,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I like the fog
I like sea lions
I like to paint
My favorite color is Blue
My favorite food is macaroni and cheese


I spent my childhood in a small town in Wyoming. It was a great place to grow up but I knew the world was out there waiting for me.

In high school, art was a passion of mine, but I failed art class. Because of that failure, I lacked the self-confidence to pursue it further. But it wasn't all my teachers fault.

I worked at many things before finally coming back to my original dream of painting, but again I faced rejection. Despite the rejection, I continued on with my work because I knew being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life.

After not having success with galleries, I was able to show my work at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco, where I have lived for the past 13 years. With a little luck and persistence, this exhibit led to many other things, like creating merchandise for Macys, and then on to my own line of clothing for kids.

I first got into children's publishing in 1998. I was able to take the messages that are part of my art and put them in a simple reading about acceptance, differences and empowerment for kids to feel better about themselves in a simple, fun way.

I have a lot of fun creating my books and I'm proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way.

Here are some of the fun, cool things that have happened to me and my books:

My work was displayed in the windows of FAO Schwarz in NYC and San Francisco, with interior displays of some of my product, including my first four books.

Todd Parr Shops within Toys R Us Japan were launched at all 101 stores with products exclusively available in Japan.

My Books have won several awards and have been featured on The Rosie O'Donnell show. Currently I have written and illustrated 28 books with two more for 2007 and 2008.

In 2004, I appeared in a Panasonic commercial and print ad.

I have partnered with Target, Reach Out and Read, People Magazine and several other organizations to promote reading.

In November 2005, my children's preschool show, ToddWorld premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids. The show has since been nominated for an Emmy and has won several other awards including the iParenting Media Award and the 2005 Humanitas Award for the episode entitled "Who's Your Best Friend"?. The Bronze medal in the New York Film Festival and an award for "Pizza on Earth" in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. ToddWorld is now airing in almost every country around the world with a second season is in the works.

With the support of my family, especially my Dad and Grandma, I have been very successful but I do have another passion. I'd like to own my own restaurant!

As my Grandma used to say:
"You're a little lost now but I know you'll find your way".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Todd Parr is Fabulous!, June 9, 2001

By 

Trish Draper (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do's and Dont's (Board book)

As a kindergarten-first grade teacher, I love Todd Parr's books! They all have simple easy to read text and always have a laugh on every page! My class loved the page that said "Don't kiss a cootie bug!" We even created out own class book, based on Todd Parr's story. Each child wrote their own page of a do and a don't! Great Fun! I would highly reccommend all of Todd Parr's books!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hysterical view of opposite actions by kids, August 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Do's and Dont's (Board book)

This books provides a series of 'laugh out loud' things kids should or shouldn't do. Underneath the actions, though, are important activities for kids like brushing their teeth and cleaning the house. We especially like the page that says "Do Brush Your Teeth...Don't Brush with Peanut Butter." This book is our son's favorite.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DO read Todd Parr's book, DON'T miss out, August 9, 2005

By 

K. Byrne (NJ U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do's and Don'ts (Board book)

Do's and Don'ts is a simply worded board book that gives kids funny suggestions on how to live life. "Do smile at people, don't stick your tongue out at them." My five year old son sometimes feels bad that he can't read like his older sister. This book makes him feel like he can with simple words and cute, simple illustrations. He loves to "read" it to grownups and laughs out loud every time!