I Can't Take You Anywhere [Hardcover]

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Author), Jef Kaminsky (Illustrator)

Book Description

Amy Audrey Perkins's parents like to stay at home. And that's no wonder. Because when Amy Audrey goes out, she can't go anywhere without spilling something, falling down, or generally embarrassing any family member who she happens to be with.

Can Amy Audrey avoid disaster at Aunt Linda's wedding? Aunts, uncles, Mom and Dad soon see that Amy Audrey can behave just as "perfectly" as they do. And that they, too, can behave just as clumsily as she does.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor writes an amusing and supportive tale for kids who, like Amy Audrey, can't seem to get out of anybody's way, and assures them that everyone can be clumsy at one time or another.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review of this Newbery Honor book, the first in a series, PW said, "This effervescent chapter book recounts some memorable moments from the author's early years at an address readers will eagerly revisit in subsequent tales." Ages 7-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. Accident-prone Amy Audrey longs to go to exciting places with her aunts and uncles, but her excursions always end in disaster?she falls into the fish pond at the museum, drops the collection plate in church, etc. At Aunt Linda's wedding, everyone is prepared for the worst, but the girl's behavior is so impeccable that Aunt Susan drops her fork in surprise, causing a series of mishaps that ends with all of the relatives in a messy heap on the floor. Amy Audrey is an appealing heroine who wants to please adults, but also wants to be herself. The text is written in short, rhythmic sentences that read aloud well, and listeners will want to repeat the refrain along with the aunts and uncles: "Amy Audrey, I declare? I can't take you anywhere!" The watercolor and pen-and-ink cartoons feature figures with exaggerated heads and large, white eyes. Humorous details include Amy's rabbit-shaped slippers and a box of Band-Aids emblazoned with the word "Ouch!" Children who often feel powerless in an adult world will savor Amy's moment of triumph when she surveys the mess the grown-ups have made and declares, "I can't take you anywhere!"?Dawn Amsberry, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1 edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689319665
• ISBN-13: 978-0689319662
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,783,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I guess I've been writing for about as long as I can remember. Telling stories, anyway, if not writing them down. I had my first short story published when I was sixteen, and wrote stories to help put myself through college, planning to become a clinical psychologist. By the time I graduated with a BA degree, however, I decided that writing was really my first love, so I gave up plans for graduate school and began writing full time.

I'm not happy unless I spend some time writing every day. It's as though pressure builds up inside me, and writing even a little helps to release it. On a hard-writing day, I write about six hours. Tending to other writing business, answering mail, and just thinking about a book takes another four hours. I spend from three months to a year on a children's book, depending on how well I know the characters before I begin and how much research I need to do. A novel for adults, because it's longer, takes a year or more. When my work is going well, I wake early in the mornings, hoping it's time to get up. When the writing is hard and the words are flat, I'm not very pleasant to be around.

Getting an idea for a book is the easy part. Keeping other ideas away while I'm working on one story is what's difficult. My books are based on things that have happened to me, things I have heard or read about, all mixed up with imaginings. The best part about writing is the moment a character comes alive on paper, or when a place that existed only in my head becomes real. There are no bands playing at this moment, no audience applauding--a very solitary time, actually--but it's what I like most. I've now had more than 120 books published, and about 2000 short stories, articles and poems.

I live in Bethesda, Maryland, with my husband, Rex, a speech pathologist, who's the first person to read my manuscripts when they're finished. Our sons, Jeff and Michael, are grown now, but along with their wives and children, we often enjoy vacations together in the mountains or at the ocean. When I'm not writing, I like to hike, swim, play the piano and attend the theater.

I'm lucky to have my family, because they have contributed a great deal to my books. But I'm also lucky to have the troop of noisy, chattering characters who travel with me inside my head. As long as they are poking, prodding, demanding a place in a book, I have things to do and stories to tell.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL ILLUSTRATIONS MAKE THIS BOOK A JOY, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Can't Take You Anywhere (Hardcover)

Naylor's story is brought to life by Kaminsky's whimsicalillustrations. His style is refreshing. His expressive characters andexpert use of color make this book a delight to the eyes. Young children (and parents)will find the pictures of Audrey's mishaps hilarious. Every time you turn the pages you'll find something new to inspire a laugh.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for the illustrations alone, November 7, 2005

By 

Bachelier ""1004"" (Ile de France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Can't Take You Anywhere (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful, touching book with outstanding illustrations. The characters speak to both children and adults, and the colors and use of line are delightful.

5.0 out of 5 stars I take it EVERYWHERE!!, November 22, 2001

By 

"cayjess" (Grand Cayman BWI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Can't Take You Anywhere (Hardcover)

My daughter, who is prone to acts of clumsiness, delighted in this book. At an age where it seems her feet are struggling not to trip over themselves, she loved the fact that in the end...even grown-ups can "forget their feet"!! This book was a joy to read aloud; flowing beautifully. The illustrations were colourful and my daughter loved declaring aloud:"Amy Audrey I declare, I can't take you anywhere!" So much so, that it's become a catchphrase in our household!