It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel (Hardcover)

~ Jamie Lee Curtis (Author), Laura Cornell (Illustrator) "It's hard to be five..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The creative team behind Today I Feel Silly amiably addresses the challenges of being a five-year-old—especially the pesky problem of learning self-control. In the story's wry opening, the narrator observes, "It's hard to be five. I'm little no more. Good old days are gone. 'Bye one, two, three, four." Among the trials he faces are controlling his temper when dealing with his younger brother ("My mind says do one thing, my mouth says another"), avoiding dirt and starting school ("School seems so scary. School seems so strange. I'm only five. My whole world's going to change"). Curtis's singsong verse also focuses on some of the pluses of being five: though his brother is strapped into a stroller, the hero can walk by himself ("It's fun to be five! Big changes are here! My body's my car, and I'm licensed to steer") and school entails some entertaining activities ("At five I'm a worker—a bee among bees. I build things and grow things, say thank you and please"). Cornell's buoyant, teeming spreads and spot illustrations convey the boundless energy and changeable moods of this likeable five-year-old with on-target, hyperbolic humor. Though the narrative winds to a rather corny close, this cheerful book with its clever visual details will surely appeal to fans of the collaborators' earlier books as well as those looking for a reassuring, age-appropriate tale for the kindergartner in their lives. Ages 4-8.
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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–This tongue-in-cheek look at what it feels like to be five will result in uproarious laughter from kids, smiles of recognition from parents, and a cause for pause for any adult involved in a youngster's care. The protagonist is aware of what he has been taught to say: " 'Would you ever so kindly please give me my wig back?'" but, "my mouth says, 'IT'S MINE!'" While waiting his turn on a car ride, the big brother's mind thinks, "It's been an hour and nine minutes. Might I have a smidge of a turn before we have to leave?" However, it comes out, " 'MOM!'" Splashy, vibrant colors capture the typical surroundings through all of the exaggerated, larger-than-life phases of growing up, while the childlike, handwritten text draws viewers right in to the full-page, familiar busyness. Self-control, starting school, and independence–they're all here. Whether read aloud, shared one-on-one, or read independently, giggles and laughter will abound.–Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060080957
• ISBN-13: 978-0060080952
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,683 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Identifies Five-Year-Old Feelings & Offers "Control Options", September 7, 2004

By	bookworm - See all my reviews

This is not just a fun book to read as it acknowledges the feelings about the "hard stuff" that happens to both boys and girls who are 5---It serves as an outstanding teaching tool that engages five-year-olds in the learning process of gaining "self control" over their actions. Jaime's concept of a control panel is extremely helpful as it gives the children a concrete visualization that will enable many of them to literally "switch on and off" to more apropriate behavior. The lively, colorful illustrations are a perfect match to the text and portray with empathy, clarity and humor a number of tough spots fives find themselves in daily. I love the "bigger than life backpacks" that for me symbolize the "load" these little kids sometimes carry around with them. As a preshcool teacher, I highly recommend this book to read with the children. I would also like to recommend "The Pocket Parent" to moms and dads with five year-olds for more ideas regarding hard stuff with fives. The author feels reading a picture book with a young child can often get a point across to the child in just the right. Pocket Parent has an annotated list of over 100 books relating to children's feelings and misbehaviors. It recommends one of Jamie's other books called "Today I Feel Silly" as extremely helpful in assiting a child to be able to name and identify his or her many feelings.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading for teachers and parents, November 30, 2004

By	Anna M. Allred "Teacher and Reader" (Talbott, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a new kindergarten teacher who'd taught second and first for three years running, I was really having a hard time understanding the minds of my new students. This book, told from the kids' perspectives, was a godsend.

Jamie Lee Curtis does a great job in getting down how kids talk and think. The art work also adds to the story.

Early in the year, when my students were having a hard time sitting still and learning to focus, I read this to them. It really clicked with them and helped them see that other 5 year olds felt the same.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not crazy about it, September 9, 2004

By	Steph (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

I was so excited when I found out that Jamie Lee was coming out with a new book, but I have to say that I'm a little disappointed. We have all the other books and I LOVE them! However, I felt this one was not as well written as the others. Not that the idea wasn't good. It's a great topic and I do like several phrases in the book, but it just doesn't flow very well. There are some sentences that just don't sound quite right and they don't read well. I think she could've done a better job and I'm not recommending this book. But...if you don't have the others, I highly recommend those! They are some of my favorite books to read to my three children.