I Was so Mad (Little Critter)

I purchased this book for my grandnephew that is 3 years old and has a very quick little temper. My son who is now 20 grew up with Mercer Mayer books and he enjoyed reading this short story too. The next thing I knew I was looking through boxes for all of his old books from childhood. Mercer Mayer clicks with kids.

Little Critter is not having a great day but by the end of the book it becomes better for him. These are great read-along books for your budding readers. I have at least two whole sets of this series as my children plan to pass them onto their children to read.

Not only does my three year old absolutely adore these books, but all four of my daughters enjoyed them as small children. I've found them to be charming and well drawn, each one dealing with a normal part of life for a child. This one shows the child critter being mad because everything (destructive) he tries to do his parents tell him no, but when he asks to go play, he's allowed to do that...which makes him AND his parents happy. :)

This was my favorite book when I was little. One of my most memorable childhood memories is sitting with my dad while he read it to me. He would do such a great job of expressing Little Critter's emotions! This book would never get old. It's hardcover, and I am very happy that it's still intact today even from my teeth marks on the corners! I store it in the bottom of my dresser so I can read it to my son (due Jan-25-04). I think about Little Critter when I become so mad today and remember that there's no need to give up! I hope to keep this book in my family for years.

I Was So Mad. By Mercer Mayer. Golden Book, 1983. 24 pages. Little critters are obviously no exception to the repeated "no" that children hear throughout a day, according to Mercer Mayer in his book "I Was So Mad." Little Critter never gets to do anything he wants-even tickling the goldfish and keeping frogs in the bathtub are off limits. His family finally makes him "so mad" that he decides to run away, until he is at last granted permission to play with his friends. Although illustrations take up a good deal of the white space in this Level 2 easy reader, the large, dark, typeface remains easy to follow. Repetitions of "I was so mad" and "No, you can't" help the young reader get through some of the more unfamiliar passages yet are not monotonous as they are an integral part of the plot. The adorable watercolor and ink illustrations follow the text closely, and serve as a tool for the child trying to decode what Little Critter is not allowed to do. This delightful book serves as a good foundation for the six to eight year old reader who is learning that there is meaning behind the text he reads. Children will easily relate to Little Critter's complaints and likely will recall similar experiences, bringing them even more enjoyment while reading. Undoubtedly, Little Critter will quickly become a favorite friend for the beginning reader.