You Can Do It Too!: Handprint Books

by Karen Baicker, Ken Wilson-Max (Illustrations)

Karen Baicker's can-do heroine is back. This time, instead of figuring out what she has to learn, as she did in I Can Do It Too! , she is teaching her young sibling everything she thinks he needs to know. From banging a spoon on the back of a pan for music to march by to spitting straight into the sink when it is tooth-brushing time, the big sister is very busy—so busy that it takes a while for her to realize that her little brother can do something she cannot! Ken Wilson-Max's vivid, posterlike illustrations and Karen Baicker's simple, family-friendly poetry make this reading pleasure for toddlers, their older siblings, and the grown-ups who love them.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

24 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2005

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

diverse picture book (growing up/siblings; toddlers-preschoolers 18 months and up)
*Prominently features diverse characters: yes, mainly starring 2 black siblings and their mom; they live in a neighborhood with both light- and dark-skinned people.
* Great choice for preschool storytimes and maybe mixed toddler/preschool storytimes - this book comes in board book format (for younger chewers) as well as in picture book format; I looked at the board book version, which has nice large pictures (almost 8.5" high and almost 17" wide for a 2-page spread) that would be visible to larger storytime crowds. The text is short and rhyme-y, with the catchy refrain "You Can Do It Too!" This is the sequel to I can Do it too, in which the sister was growing up; in this book a baby brother has been added to the family and the sister is teaching him some things.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an okay read. The pages were thicker than expected, which was interesting. The font is large and the colors of the illustrations are bright. I appreciated the message of encouragement that young children can do things too. I just felt like the story itself was a bit dull and the repetitive nature of the pages got a bit old, but I get that repetition is often a good way to teach material to young children.

[Ara Israel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good for sounding out words for toddlers and getting children to read at a young age. It is a great book for children with multiple family members. The content contains inclusion and, it plot teaches families to build positive relationships amongst those whom we are closest to from the start.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two siblings go through the day sharing and learning from one another.

[skcocnaH · Rating 1 out of 5]

You can read this too.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid choice for toddlers

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story to be a bit ho-hum but it was also a little advanced for my pre-toddler. I think it'd be great for families with multiple children since it talks a lot of about playing together and depicts a great big sister relationship. The illustrations are top notch- saturated primary colors are accented with bold black outlines full of the extra character of thick brush strokes. Wilson-Max has a nice technique of adding white to the lines for things in the distance so that the bold flavor is maintained but perspective is indicated. It's also great for all kids to see the two black children in this book.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older sister teaches her younger baby brother all sorts of things that can be done. The repitition of the phrase "You can do it too!" appears on each 2-page spread and is a great way for toddlers to practice their narrative skills. Text follows the words in the book with descriptions such as 'bending' and 'upside down.' Book may be a bit long for babies, but could be easily shortened.

[Becky Birtha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to be reviewing board books here, but found You Can Do It Too! striking. The paintings are vibrant and cheerful, the big sister and little brother come across with individual personalities, and the reversal at the end is unexpected and fun. This is a sequel, but I'm afraid I missed the first one.

[Huda Fel · Rating 3 out of 5]

How a child sets a role modle for their younger siblings.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at drop-in story time on 3/1/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's soooo sweet, a big sister teaching her little brother about the things she can and likes to do.... And he teaches her something too.