Oh, Were They Ever Happy! [Hardcover]

Peter Spier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 1978

One Saturday morning while their parents are away, the three Noonan children decide to paint the house.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When the Noonan children take over the painting of the house, the results are splendidly multi-hued; Spier accompanies a deadpan telling with imaginative pictures. Ages 2-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 42 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers (April 5, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385131755
• ISBN-13: 978-0385131759
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An EXCELLENT "hold-your-breath" children's book., June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Oh, Were They Ever Happy! (Paperback)

This is a wonderful story of three obedient, well-meaning children who help out at home while their parents are away. No shenanigans, these children put their heart into their work. If you can remember your own young children making a cake from scratch while you were away, then perhaps you can imagine the plot. Two parents leave for the day. As they leave, the mother, Mrs. Noonan, reminds her husband that the house needs painting. This is an "uh, oh" kind of book which requires a gasp at each turn of the page. Our children have read it over and over. I am sorely disappointed that this book is no longer in print.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a fun classic, August 1, 2003

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oh, were they ever happy! (Hardcover)

First published in 1978, Peter Spier's story of the well-meaning Noonan children stands up well even after 25 years. The story of the three children who overhear their parents talking about the house needing painting and decide to surprise them will have you and your children turning the pages with bated breath as you wait to see what that house looks like! It's worth the wait -- a laugh-and-a-half for kids and their adults. As you'd expect, the illustrations are colorful and fun. This would be a great companion book with Daniel Pinkwater's 'The Big Orange Splot'.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, January 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oh, Were They Ever Happy! (Paperback)

I am 12 years old and have loved this book since I recieved it many years ago. A few years ago I came across it and was so sad to see half of the pages had fallen out and were lost. All I can say is I love this book!