I dunno how I feel about the controversy. I *think* my children would have had the sense to say "Look Mom, we're *good* compared to her; we'd never do those kinds of things!" But I'm not sure, and now my youngest if 15 and he thinks he's angelic. I'd definitely recommend that all parents read it, in secret, and then decide whether to share it with their kids. The artwork is marvelous: bright, clear, warm, and exuberant.

Btw, just to clarify if you've not read it and are confused, think of it as '17 of the several dozens of things...' rather than 'The 17 things....' I am confident this girl, age at least eight (see the handwriting on her report), has lots more rules than the ones listed.