Edwardo: The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World

by John Burningham

Edwardo is an ordinary boy who does his best to live up to grown-ups' expectations. So when they rant at him for being the clumsiest, noisiest, nastiest, cruelest, messiest, and dirtiest boy in the whole wide world, he becomes all those things with a vengence, thus earning the title of the horriblest boy in the whole wide world. How Edwardo becomes the nicest boy in the whole wide world will be appreciated by ordinary little boys everywhere. John Burningham's amusing illustrations bring a lighthearted touch to the power of positive reinforcement.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Parenting, Education, Family, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2006

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...

Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.

John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.

From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).

Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story, simple and profound. Edwardo is told he is things and he becomes them. He get's worse and worse and worse. When he is told positive things about himself it snowballs the other way. I have seen this happen with children so many times, he's so clumsy... he's such a fussy eater... she's so jealous of her sister...This is a great book for parents, John Burningham's education at Summerhill was a good one.

Read on open library.

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a typically-naughty, noisy, dirty little boy who lives down to every expectation voiced to him. He's told he's the noisiest, the dirtiest, the rudest, the wickedest little boy and so he becomes so. Through a series of fortuitious accidents, such as throwing his clothes out of the window instead of tidying his room and his clothes landing on a truck collecting clothes for charity, he gets a lot of praise and he lives up to that too. He eventually ends up the nicest little boy in the world.

Its a lovely book to read a child. All kiddies like to hear of children even naughtier than they are! But adults would do well to heed the lesson, children believe you when you say what you think they are and will live up to that - or down.

Good present for teachers of small kiddies and of parents a little harsh in discipling their tots.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a cute idea, although I'm not sure about the message. Basically when he was doing things that he thought were being mean, like pouring a bucket of water on a dog, he was thanked for it because the owner said the dog was dirty and needed a bath. No real explanation for how doing something mean goes to being thanked for it and then... being asked to have more responsibility, ie watching kids, taking care of dogs in the neighborhood, etc. OK, but shaky in terms of it's teaching...

[Fiona Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly mixed thoughts about this book. At the start it teaches us to think about what we say to people, as even if we are joking words can have a very negative impact on the thoughts and feelings people have about themselves! However, towards the end of this book Edwardo was trying to do nasty things to people, which accidentally became helpful and good things (not sure this gives the right message to children). It is perhaps teaching us to look for the good and to try and praise what people have done right rather than what they have done wrong.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children live up to our expectations and meet our reinforcements.

This book is at least as much for adult educators and caregivers as it is for children.

Situations that Edwardo encountered are implausible, but used for the sake of humor. This little story would be less effective if the silliness were omitted, as it would then be too preachy.

read on openlibrary.org

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burningham uses watercolors, pencil sketches, and an ordinary boy to remind readers about the power of their words.

We often forget about the impact that our words have on others, especially children; this book is a nice way to address the topic.

[Ruby Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights the importance of positive feedback and constructive criticism. If people are constantly negative, it is difficult to motivate yourself.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a few reviews on this book I was surprised by the negative impressions but completely understand why their are mixed reviews. Having worked with children similar to Edward0 I found it pretty refreshing to read a book that highlighted how prophesying over children can lead them fulfil that prophesy, both in a positive and negative context. I felt that the turning point for Edwardo was that a few adults around him began putting trust into him and giving him a chance and from experience, this can dramatically impact children's own self esteem and work ethic.

Definitely a book I would visit again and I think would trigger some great discussions with children.

[Felicity Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for showing children the impact of what we say to others. I would read this during a Key Stage One PSHE lesson and discuss with the children the importance of thinking before you speak.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book review is on 'Edwardo'

Edwardo is a very rebellious child who appears to enjoy causing havoc on his surroundings often resulting in being told off by the adults in his life. This does not affect his behavior and he simply carries on which would keep children very curious at this stage in the book because there appears to be no consequences for bad behavior. I like the book because it is very cleverly written and the twist in the second half of the book will allow children to look at things in a different light where they may have predicted harsh punishment for Edwardo. The book has repetition and easily recognizable words that children would associate with naughty behavior, so I would have this book suited for year one and year two classes. The pictures can display why Edwardo is being told off, adults can be seen pointing and showing frustration and this matches the words exactly so that children can associate actions and text. When the book changes tone the illustrations and language change also which is beneficial when showing children different ways to write in one story. The language becomes polite ‘Thank you so much, Edwardo’ and the once ‘horriblest boy in the whole wide world’ is pictured smiling and being helping once he receives positive reinforcements. The message is loud and clear for children to break down. I have given this book a four star rating because it has a story and the language chosen is appropriate for my selected age group. I would elect to have this read out loud as a carpet time story where the children can join in with the repetitive statements and animal noises.
John Burningham.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story allows the reader to consider the impact of their language and how someone can grow their self-esteem based on people changing their wording. This is not to say Edwardo is always perfect, but the positivity allows him space to be himself, and grow in his personality, rather than falling into the persistent negative comments. Edwardo is persistently told he is behaving in a way the adults dislike and eventually is deemed to be the "the horriblest boy in the whole wide world". The separation of the adults and Edwardo across the pages is quite striking in highlighting that the adults don't welcome how Edwardo is behaving.

The next page Edwardo kicks a pot of flowers over, but another adult comments on Edwardo appearing to be growing a garden. Overtime over comments are made, which appear to allow Edwardo to have some confidence in himself and at the end he is deemed "the loveliest boy in the whole world wide."

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new favorite author/illustrator, and his name is John Burningham. Although this isn't the book that made me fall in love with Burningham's work, this book is still very good in its own right.

There is a quote that essentially says that how we talk to (our) children becomes there inner voice. Edwardo only ever heard how horrible he was until one day. And that one day changed everything.

[Lindsey Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book displays how others words can bring someone down and make them believe it. In a classroom, this would be a good introduction to discuss how we should be careful with what we say, we all make mistakes and learn from them, and how we should not let others tell us how we should Or should not be. This would be an example of civil practices to make children be aware of.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great example of self-fulfilling prophecy. What Edwardo is labeled as he then becomes. Great great book.

[Finny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy says: People live up (or down) to your expectations, told here about a boy named Edwardo. Perfect.

[Laura Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book that wraps up my philosophy of children and adults so neatly... awesome.

[Amy May · Rating 5 out of 5]

E says "I want to give it all the stars. It was the nicest book ever." A great story about keeping perspective in life :)

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneficial read for any parent or teacher who at times thinks they have a "horrible" child on their hands.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. The events were satisfyingly unlikely (in the latter half of the story) so that you didn't have to take them seriously. I could agree with the underlying message (courtesy of George Bernard Shaw, who once wrote the immortal lines "the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she's treated," and I've never forgotten them). Thus I found this book unexpectedly touching. I'm not sure how much replay value there would be (I think the average child might want more outrageous situations with more detail in the illustrations) but for a single read between the stacks in the university library, I'm more than satisfied.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Views on perspective and self fulfilment. Questions who the adult is in the room. You don't understand everything children do but adults can change and guide them positively.

Children are child but if you are told you ate horrible all the time you will think you're horrible. If you are told you are great all the time it will lead ti greater things.

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good showing of how someone who is told they're bad will probably act that way and when they're supported and encouraged in the opposite direction will do that instead. I don't think I would share this book with my child will-nilly; I would preface it with a 'let's see what positive and negative words can do...'.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edwardo was an ordinary boy, until people started being critical of the things he did, which only led to his increasing negative behavior, but once people starting noticing the good things he did on accident lead to positive compliments, and a well behaved Edwardo.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would appeal to lots of children who get told they are messy, dirty, etc. Edward becomes the loveliest boy which he was all along but people had to see it.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good reminder of how important words are, and the dang of labeling others.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal for adults

[Melissa Hord]

This would be an amazing read aloud because it teaches kids that they can not be defined by what people say about them!

[Seven · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Burningham used this story to test how different upbringings would influence a child.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of Words! The power of seeing someone for what they can be... A creative example showing how words and tone can affect the behavior of a person, especially a child. How encouragement, love, and cheerleading can send a child along a better road. The art is spare, but poignant, and the storyline goes like this:

"Like most children, Edwardo made a lot of noise.

'You are a very noisy boy, Edwardo. You are the noisiest boy in the whole wide world.'
Edward became noisier and noisier."

[Then, after a shift--due to fate, due to luck, due to hope...]

"Then one day, when Edwardo kicked a pot of flowers, it flew through the air and landed on some earth.

'I see you are starting a little garden, Edwardo. It looks lovely. You should get some more plants.'
Edward was good at growing things, and he was asked to help people with their gardens..."

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book about positive encouragement.

Edwardo is a normal boy, and like normal boys he sometimes acts up....kicking things, chasing things, etc. All the grown-ups tell him he is the Horriblest boy in the WORLD! until one day when he kicks a pot of flowers and it lands in some dirt, and a kind grown-up sees him starting a garden...so then, Edwardo becomes good at gardening...and so on, until Edwardo is the nicest boy in the whole world.

I love love love John Burningham's illustrations, they have such a great energy and humor, all scribbly and scratchy and sketchy...he must have been a bit like Edwardo himself!

side note: did you know that John Burningham is married to children's author/illustrator Helen Oxenbury?

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edwardo lives up to people's expectations. Edwardo is told he is the roughest, noisiest, nastiest, cruelest, messiest, clumsiest, dirtiest, most rude boy in the whole wide world. As you can see, one criticism leads to another in an exponential fashion and there he is--just what everybody said. Then, one day everything changed. He was doing one of his outrageous tricks when something good accidently happened, someone saw it and commented about it. So he did more of that one good thing and everybody noticed and praised him. One thing led to another and pretty soon he was the acclaimed "nicest boy in the whole wide world".

The large format, simple text, cartoon-like illustrations all add up to a delightful story.