I Can Do It Myself!

by Diane Adams, Nancy Hayashi (Illustrator)

Emily Pearl can do lots of things by herself. But sometimes even resourceful little girls need help.

Emily Pearl is a very big girl. She can pour her own juice. She can feed her goldfish. She can even curl her own hair. Whenever her mother tries to help, Emily says, "I can do it myself!" Emily Pearl's creative approach does sometimes lead to results that are not quite what anyone expected.

But even a very big girl like Emily can sometimes feel a teeny bit small, especially at bedtime when dark shadows creep across the walls of her bedroom. Luckily for Emily, her mom understands and gives her a helping hand.

Diane Adams' delightful, rhyming story of one child's determined quest for independence is complemented by Nancy Hayashi's charming illustrations that colorfully capture the chaotic ups and downs in the life of a preschooler.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my 3 year old's bedtime. The little girl Emily likes to do things by herself because she knows she's a big girl now and able to do many things by herself. She often refused her mom's help. But at bedtime was when she was okay to get help from her mom especially for a bedtime story.

Borrowed this book from the library.

[Brett Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows a girl named, Emily Pearl, and she is very persistent in doing things herself. Emily can pour her own juice, and peanut butter her bread, and when her mother asks if she needs any help, she responds, "I can do it myself!". However, when night falls, Emily realizes that sometimes it is nice for help as she calls out for her mother to read her a bedtime story. While she tries to do everything for herself, she learns to appreciate her mother's efforts and attempts at helping her.

The themes of this book are problem solving, family, and knowing that it is okay to be open to family.

I thought this book was great in the educational material children can pull from it. At first, I didn't see the big lesson plan, but as I went back and reread it, I found how it teaches you to be open to the help of your family members even when it can come off as nagging. It also teaches children to do more of the household chores as Emily proudly walks around the house doing her common tasks like cleaning and sweeping.

I recommend this book as it is a quick read with funny pictures of Emily making a mess but staying persistent in completing her tasks. Parents will enjoy reading this book to their children too as they will be able to relate to it when they ask their own children if they need any help doing things.

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with universal appeal.

Anyone who has been a kid, has a kid, or has babysat a kid will resonate to this book. The fierce struggle for independence, the creativity, the destruction, the sheer mess of childhood is clearly presented in both the poem and the art accompanying it.

It was cute, everyone reading as a child would have a great deal of fun with the pictures and the words. Anyone reading it as an adult would feel comfort that someone out there knows how they suffer and feel great empathy for the mother in the story.

All around a solid book.

Story: Narrative poem
Art: Cute and perfectly matches the poem
Price: $15.95

[Jordyn Pounders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can Do It Myself, is about little Emily. Emily is a very independent young lady who knows exactly what she is doing at all times and never needs mommy's help. She goes through her every day routine and does not need any help from anybody. That is, until it is time for bed. Then she realizes that she may be able do things by herself, but it is nice to have people around.
I overall enjoyed this book, it was cute and easy to read. I would recommend this book as a fun read in a classroom.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a big girl who can do all kids of things by herself, even when her mom offers to help her. But at night, she gets a little scared and asks her mom to get her stuffy and read her a book. I would use this book in my classroom to show students that independence is important, but it is also okay to ask for help.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author and illustrator clearly know nothing about trombones. A toddler wouldn't have a trombone, and the one in the picture doesn't have a functioning slide. A story about a defiant child doing everything herself incorrectly.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positive message of independence. Irresistible repetitive refrain. Great for preK and K read alouds.

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one more than Everly did, but she didn't really give it a chance.

[Trevante Norris]

Trey

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adams Adventure #3
Girl is growing in independence and wants to do things herself, but book also shows how sometimes you need that help and attention even as you grow.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Pearl is like many of our little girls and boys in that she wants to do everything for herself. Usually the problem at her age is that it is not done how we hope it to be done. Most of the time there will be a mess to clean up like in Emily Pearl's case. She gets it done and if her mom asks to help her she tells mom, "I can do it myself". Some of us may have heard or hear " Me do it!" or "NO!!! Me do!!".

Emily Pearl can tie her shoes, spread peanut butter, draw a picture and many other things. Just ask her and she will tell you "I can do it myself."

The author is so in touch with this subject and brought it to light in a fun way with her talented writing of the characters she created.

The illustrations are outstanding depicting the activities of Emily Pearl and the reactions of the mother presented by the author.

This is a darling book that our children will definitely relate to and so will all the parents.

Disclosure:
I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publisher for review. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

[Cierra Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can do it myself is a picture book for young children ranging from ages infancy to six year of age.
Emily pearl is a toddler who wants to do everything herself without her mother’s help. One day she realized she was scared of the dark and needed her mother’s help and protection.
I rated this book five stars. The book parallels with the toddlers of today who attempt to do things without adult help. For example, a toddler will try to feed themselves without their parents help. Throughout the book, there were repetitive phrases such as “I can do it, I can do it” that illustrated the independence of the toddler . The words were easy to read and understand. Children will be able follow along to the story and envision themselves in the characters. I believe this book would appeal to children because it’s so relatable.
I would use this book to show children that they can be independent. They can tie their own shoes; feed their selves and assist parents and teacher.

[Shayla.boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

All about a young girl wanting to be independent and do things herself, this is a book that shows how it is good to be able to do things for youself; however, it is also okay to ask for help every now and again. This would be a great book to introduce into the classroom at young elementary ages as students are becoming more and more independent. Students will be able to relate by sharing different things that they are able to do by themselves, while also stating some things that they like to get help on. As a teacher, you too could share different things that you do by yourself while also expressing different things you get help on. This way students will learn that at any age, it is still good to ask for help when needed because growing up and becoming independent does not mean that you have to do everything alone.

[Aryana Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Personal Reaction: I enjoyed this book and thought it had a really good meaning to it. The story had a reverse change at the end which I thought was really good. This story has a really good theme to it and it is very beneficial and could have a life lesson to teach children about.
2. Purpose/Use in the Classroom: This book could be used for a read aloud. The genre of the book is realistic fiction but it is a beginning to read book. Something that could be taught from reading this book is theme. The theme of the story is a child can do many things by themselves, but everything can't be done by themselves. Parents are always there and they will help you.
3. Diverse Perspectives: Something that could be taught from reading this book to children is about themes. Students will learn about that and all of the things that children can't do by themselves.

[Terry]

This is a refrain every parent hears almost as soon as our kids can put together a sentence. The author has very cleverly and graciously given caregivers help in encouraging and channeling your child's independence. I particularly loved that Emily folds her own clothes! The illustrations add to the story with clever representations of just how Emily accomplishes her tasks (pouring juice into a funnel anyone?)

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diane Adams' 'I Can Do It Myself!' is a beginner book about Emily Pearl, who is a 'very big girl!' She can do everything by herself without her mother's intervention, but comes to realize at bedtime that she does need her mother to comfort her about her fear of the dark.

A teacher could use this book as a resource to tell the students that it is a great to be independent, and sometimes it's okay to ask for help (emotional wellness).

[Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Pearl is a very big girl and can do everything by herself. In this all too familiar story (especially for young mothers), Emily makes us laugh as she proves that she is capable of doing everything on her own, without any help from mom. The illustrations add a second story as we see what really happens behind all of Emily's feats! A great book for moms and young toddlers.

[Jess Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book pretty much explains it all: Emily can do it herself! This simple, clear book shows all of the things that Emily can do alone, but at the end, reminds her (and us) that it's ok to need help from someone else sometimes, too. Perfect for the preschooler who doesn't need any help from anyone anymore!

[Alanna Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic story of how kids are always wanting to do things on their own. It's a great way to show that they can and able able to stuff by themselves, but it's ok and sometimes nice to have someone else do them. It also ties in to how when you get older you start doing things on your own without the help of others.

[Ashton]

I think that this is a great book to teach kindergarteners. It explains about how this girl goes through her day doing everything by herself. At this age students want to show everyone that they can be a big kid. They always try too carry too many things or to do things that maybe they haven't learned the skill for. So, I could incorporate this book to show them that it is okay to ask for help.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a parent we have ALL heard this at least 100 times! LOL The illustrations are delightful, anf Emily Pearl shows herself to be quite capable. But in the end, there are times that you need some loving help. Emily Pearl find this to be the case "at bedtime when shadows creep over the wall." Really cute story.

[Mekia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about a girl who loves to do things herself without the help of others. At the end, there are just some things that she would rather have her mother do, even though she can do it herself.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was fun. Jordan isn't fiercely independent, so the "I can do it MYSELF!" thing doesn't really ring true with her, but she was able to recognize the story's pattern and had fun quoting this line with me whenever it came up.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had that dime a dozen feeling to it. Little girl who does things by herself but makes a mess of it while doing it. Illustrations felt the same way, but, by no means, was it a horrible book. I just felt as though I have read a ton like it.

[Xiyuan Ni]

Parents also teach children to be independent, and Emily Pearl is really a good model for children to follow. But children should also be taught that someone else can also help them when they feel they are small and weak. The story has a warm ending.

[Brigid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love Emily Pearl. Her attempts to "do it myself" make me smile although I'm glad she isn't my kid (that's a lot of mess). While it's simplistic in nature it's universal in appeal. I can't look at the cover of this book without smiling and thinking of the month we read it almost every night.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great story about that childhood stage where they can do everything themselves and don't want parents help. It is not a great book but it fits a need Ages 3+

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

So where does this perfect, independent girl live?
Definitely NOT at my house.

[jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice rhymes - cute for storytime

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

self-sufficiency, end kind of drops off