Edwardo: The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World [Library Binding]

John Burningham (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Edwardo is an ordinary boy who does his best to live up to grown-ups' expectations. So when they rant at him for being the clumsiest, noisiest, nastiest, cruelest, messiest, and dirtiest boy in the whole wide world, he becomes all those things with a vengence, thus earning the title of the horriblest boy in the whole wide world. How Edwardo becomes the nicest boy in the whole wide world will be appreciated by ordinary little boys everywhere. John Burningham's amusing illustrations bring a lighthearted touch to the power of positive reinforcement.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3—A thinly disguised discourse on the dangers of a discouraging word and on living up (or down) to labels. Edwardo appears to be the most ordinary of healthy, energetic boys-full of standard-issue snips and snails and puppy-dog tails-doing the most ordinary of things: making noise and messes, eschewing soap and water, and occasionally being not in the best of tempers. It's only when the negative grown-ups around him assert that he is the noisiest, nastiest, dirtiest boy ever that Edwardo turns terrible. In fact, as long as they already think it, he might as well be "the horriblest boy in the whole wide world." Can a kind word from a thoughtful adult nurture what's nice in little Edwardo (still occasionally dirty, clumsy, noisy, and rude)? You betcha. Fans of Burningham will delight in his witty, winsome pictures, so full of animation and expression, and perhaps all readers will take a second or two to consider the impact of hastily chosen words. An important message with a special delivery.—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

With a few words and clear, spacious line-and-watercolor pictures, award-winning British author-artist Burningham expresses a small child's rebellion against overwhelming grown-ups. Edwardo is sometimes a little untidy, cruel, clumsy, noisy, and rude. But when adults overreact and tell him he is the roughest and nastiest of boys, he becomes much, much worse. Then one day, completely by accident, he starts to make good things happen, and everyone loves him. The minimalist art leaves lots of space for kids to imagine themselves as naughty, guilty, and nice. Of course, the trouble is the most fun, but Burningham also manages to make the good boy a hero, with wild scenarios of rescue (Edwardo frightens some escaped lions back into their cages) and love. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375940537
• ISBN-13: 978-0375940538
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,013,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars great book about changing behavior for kids, November 12, 2007

By 

Karyn W "blckwidow8" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Edwardo the Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World (Paperback)

Edwardo gets a reputation and decides to live up to it. When his reputation starts changing from being horrible to starting to look positive his outlook changes a little bit and he makes the effort. I like how this book has some real truths to it and comes across in a clever and rather unique way. I like the theme to the book, but unfortunately I didn't really like the illustrations. They are sort of sloppy and not very detailed.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can such a bad boy change his ways?, July 10, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edwardo: The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World (Hardcover)

John Burningham's EDWARDO: THE HORRIBLEST BOY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD tells of a boy who is always disappointing adults. He's the clumsiest, noisiest, nastiest, and dirtiest boy in the world - and he lives up to every accusation. How can such a bad boy change his ways? Possibly by doing something nice, by mistake.