Contrary Mary

by Anita Jeram

When Mary got up this morning, she was feeling contrary. She put her cap on back to front and her shoes on the wrong feet. And that was just the start of a very contrary day!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

The illustrator of many popular and critically acclaimed books for children, including ALL PIGS ARE BEAUTIFUL by Dick King-Smith, Anita Jeram has also written several children's books of her own. As author-illustrator of BUNNY, MY HONEY, a sweet story of a bunny lost and then found, Anita Jeram was able to exercise her rabbit-drawing skills. A rabbit is also the hero of I LOVE MY LITTLE STORYBOOK, Anita Jeram's magical tribute to the wonderful world of books.

Born in 1965, Anita Jeram, a native of Portsmouth, England, studied art at Manchester Polytechnic and published her first book for children while she was still a student. Today, she lives in Northern Ireland with her family and a menagerie of pet animals. In the future she hopes to establish a wildlife sanctuary.

Reviews

[LotLeest · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Zij is sowieso non-binair.” - Zara

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, sweet, with cute pictures. I read this to my oldest son on days when he's being contrary - hmmmm, I read it A LOT! We both love this book.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picturebook is a sweet book about a little mouse named Mary who decides that she wants to be contrary for the day. For example, she decides she is going to wear her hat backwards and put her shoes on the wrong feet, and instead of eating toast for breakfast she decides that she wants to eat potatoes and gravy. While the mother thinks Mary’s behavior is quite peculiar, she catches on is able to play along with the contrary actions.
The author had a good use of positive elements in the writing where children can very much relate to the content and the illustrations were very light and faded to make the story have the presence of a sweet and playful story. If the author used bold colors and harsh lines, Mary’s behavior could be seen as more of aggressive and rude rather than playful.
The genre of the story could be considered behavioral with some humor. It definitely shows how Mary decided to be more difficult this day than how she usually behaves, so a parent could share this story with their child that is being difficult to help them learn that it is okay to have an off-day because I will always love you.
I love this book because it is a part of my childhood. I had so many Anita Jeram books growing up and I love how the animals were always so sweet and loving to each other. I would recommend this book to anyone because children can relate to the content and it is a perfect book to read with parents and children.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it :)

[Nicoeduca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edad recomendada: 3 a 6 años.
Tema: Cuento sobre una niña que prueba a llevar la contraria a sus padres.
Si vemos el libro como un simple cuento para contar, está bien, pero si pretendes dar una moraleja o enseñar a tu hijo que no sirve de nada ser "espíritu de contradicción", este no es tu libro.
A parte que el padre en esta historia aparece en el dibujo, pero está totalmente de "adorno".

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute illustrations of little mouse, Mary who’s feeling very contrary. I think children can relate to the mood Mary wakes up in and how her Mom resolves the situation with lots of love and good humor at the end of the day.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story and adorable mouse illustrations.

[Carfig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary is contrary, oddly enough, but cute

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our own Contrary Mary loved this book and listening to her chuckle as you read it to her will always be a fond memory

[Camy Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divertido ❣️

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ines del Reves, the Spanish version of Contrary Mary, is a very cute story about a little mouse named Ines who decides it's opposite day. Her mom then gets the idea to humor her when she puts Ines to sleep.

I used this story for an opposites-themed Spanish and bilingual story time program. I did change some of the words as I read it since it used some versions of words that I didn't grow up using. For example, instead of using "cometa" for kite, I used the word "papalote."

[The Children · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mom, I don't care for the last page, but the children love it all--how Contrary Mary goes through her day completely opposite as she ordinarily would.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed by my son from his day care.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for teaching younger children about opposites.