Twelve Terrible Things

by Marty Kelley

At last, a grown-up brings to light some of the awful, horrible things kids must endure. A brother's smelly socks, a jump off the high-dive, or a sloppy kiss from a great-aunt--hey, childhood isn't without peril. In-your-face graphic paintings paired with droll text will have readers chuckling and sympathizing. Reviews

 "This is essentially Gary Greenberg'­s Pop-Up Book of Phobias (1999) but with a wonderful sense of how kids sometimes feel the world treats them. Expect this book to be a hit with not just younger children but their older teenage siblings as well. Turns the terrible into the terrific."-Kirkus Reviews

 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Monsters, Emotion, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I've never found a Tricycle Press book I really enjoyed. This is my first. Remember The Pop-Up Book of Phobias? Yeah, this is exactly like that, only it takes all the usual child fears and anxieties and exaggerates them beautifully. About the time you get to the lunchlady pouring gravy over everything (including the milk) you're hooked. Great visuals. Worth taking a gander at.

[Christiane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Leslie for bringing this to the children's meeting! If you have ever found yourself becoming nostalgic for childhood, this book will cure you.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book details some truly terrible things, especially from the perspective of a child. The narrative is extremely short. In fact, it's just a list of twelve things. The full-page color illustrations, therefore, are the highlight of the book, with images that are both humorous and terrifying.

It's a fun, fast read and I really enjoyed it.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely NOT a little kid book. The "new kid in school", the "lunch lady", and several other pages are really about big kid concerns. And the last thing you want to do when you are dealing with one of our modern "sensitive" preschoolers is to give them a book to reinforce their anxieties about dentists and things under the bed.
(Especially when you have to deal with their hovering mothers. Sigh....)

So I'd recommend this for a second or third or fourth grader. For your 3 year old? I don't think so.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelley, Marty Twelve Terrible Things. Tricycle Press (Ten Speed), 2008. PICTURE BOOK.

A young boy takes us through twelve things that can be alternately dreadful and frightening, sometimes for all of us, but definitely for a kid. It makes a great tool for a teacher or parent to talk to kids about why some of these things are scary and diffuse some of the tension – others are just funny and sometimes none of us can escape those situations. A great piece of humor!

EL – ESSENTIAL. Cindy Mitchell – Library-Teacher

[Hannah Auton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This counting book was an interesting read. The title of the book is exactly what it is about, twelve terrible things that kids typically go through at some point in their lives, such as being the new kid in school and fearing monsters under the bed. The size of the book is rather large and each terrible thing mentioned is spread out in illustrations on both pages when open. The pictures throughout the book are drawn very largely. The illustrations are drawn in such a way so that it looks and feels as if the reader is experiencing what is happening at that moment and experience the fear or dread as if it was actually happening. For example, one of the terrible things mentioned is jumping off a high dive into a pool. The illustrator drew this image in such a way so that it looks like the pool is very far below and drew arms and hands that are clenching onto the diving board. I found many of the images to be disturbing and I personally do not think I would use this book for a read-aloud. I think this could potentially reinforce fears children might already have and the large size of the book could make holding the book and turning the pages difficult in read-alouds. The illustrator's purpose for this book, going through twelve terrible things many children go through in their lives, I believe was successfully executed but I think there are better counting book options that could be used for read-alouds.

[Dara Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Already being familiar with counting picture books, I expected this book to provide an opportunity for the reader to learn the numbers 1-12 in a fun and original way through relatable "nightmare scenarios" that kids can relate to. Although this book did very well portraying 12 common fears all kids share through art that is pleasing to the eye, I felt it was missing a more enriching opportunity to learn these 12 numbers. Every 2 pages introduce a new "terrible thing" by just listing it with the next number that is in order. I felt it would be better if the reader also were given the opportunity to count something on the page related to the terrible thing and it counted up to the number listed on the page.

Still, I do think this is a fun and original way of making a list for young readers to count and read along to, becoming familiar with the number 1-12 in order and enjoying the detailed and relatable stories illustrated on the pages. I found the art to be very fun to observe instead of flipping to the next page, taking the time to look at the details up close and in the background. There are a variety of realistic-looking people and objects that I found absolutely stunning to look at. Some of the "terrible things" felt so up close and personal that I really thought a dentist was going to reach into my mouth and start poking in there!

[Tamya Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Twelve Terrible things are about a boy who counts things he views as terrible. The things that are considered terrible are things that have more than likely happened in our everyday lives. The book starts fresh with using ice cream falling as an example or going to the dentist or even being a new kid at a school. The things that are considered normal are all things that someone has gone through. They aren't out of the ordinary, and that is why I enjoyed the book. All of the terrible things were relatable. The illustrations took over the whole page and I also enjoyed that. The book also started with a warning letter and that was creative and comedic to me. In the end, there is a happy ending. The child gets another ice cream. The book is a fun way to let students explore counting to 12.

[April Mizerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve Terrible Things starts with a warning to not read the book. This is cute for students and can make them feel ready to be brave enough to read the story. It goes through many different illustrations of terrible things that kids can experience in their day to day lives. The students can agree or relate to these terrible things while associating them with numbers. It also shows at the beginning that they dropped their ice cream and the last thing after the twelve terrible things was them getting a new ice cream cone, which was cute and full circle for the reader. I would probably read this aloud to a first grade class.

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Terrible Things is exactly as the title says... twelve two page illustrations depicting absolutely terrible things that everyone of most any age can relate to. Examples include: having the ice cream fall out of your cone, visiting the dentist, an annoying brother who makes you smell his feet and a grandma who pinches your cheeks. Perhaps not much substance here, but it might just encourage your young one to come up with their own list of twelve terrible things! Or maybe even fifteen fantastic things!!!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this. Between 2-3 stars? I can't see using this as a storytime book (sorry, I try to avoid death in storytime books with my toddlers and preschoolers!) but I can see my older kids finding the humor in it. Because really, these are bigger kid concerns. My 4 year old regulars won't get the lunch lady or high dive jokes quite as clearly as their older siblings will. And especially the New Kid moment? All my patrons can definitely relate to that one - even my younger ones have a move or two under their belts!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers are warned that this book is full of terrible things. It's not the traditionally scary things, but rather things like the dentist, that one older family member who pinches your cheeks, and dropping your ice cream. All relatable to elementary school kids. This paired nicely with On Account of the Gum for a 5th grade storytime. Many kids shared their experiences with the 12 terrible things.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe share with a middle school kid? But don't give a preschooler instructions to be afraid of the dentist, or of monsters under the bed, etc. And what's up with everyone picking on lunch ladies?

I loved the first spread, though. It is terrible to have your ice cream fall out of your cone. Helpful hint - get it in a cup with a spoon like I do!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty funny. You cannot miss the chance to introduce your child to the word “dufus!” It worked really well to limit the text and make the reader consider each illustration. I found this used someplace but it would have been worth more than I paid for it,

[James Declan · Rating 4 out of 5]

James liked the book even though the things there weren’t terrible they were just normal.. He didn’t like the little fish being flushed and thought that was sad and terrible. The only scary terrible thing was the clown.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, just what children need: An expose of the terrible things that children must endure.

I do find this list of Frustrations and Fears to also be pretty Funny.

For instance in this numbered list:

There's nothing under the bed...

FIVE STAR delightful, folks!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that we see the illustrations through the narrator's eyes.

[Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars purely for the clown illustration.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for talking about Opinion and Point of View. Also great for looking at how art shows perspective and distance. Brings me back to my own childhood. :)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was on the shelf right inside the library doors, and the Little One ran for it right away. "This one, Mommy! I want to get this one!" It looked like it might be a Halloween book, so I said "OK." Then I happened to see this blurb on the back:

Inspired work of dark humor!
-Christopher Moore, the best-selling author of Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff

As I recently discovered the comic genius that is Christopher Moore (and have been steadily acquiring his books in recent months), I thought "Cool! But I wonder if this is too intense or sophisticated for the Little One."

It wasn't...he loved it and he "got it." (I want him to have a dark sense of humor so bad. Is that wrong to want for your child?). I thought it was a masterpiece—ideal for grown-ups and kids alike. I think the very best children's books and movies are those that can appeal to both kids and grown-ups, and this book is one of those that gets it just right. This book is as appealing to an adult as it would be to a 13-year-old or a 5-year-old.

The illustrations are filled with fun little details, and both of us loved the perspective of the pictures—each scenario seems like it is happening to the reader. And it is obvious that Marty Kelley is in touch with what it is like to be a kid—he hasn't forgotten what is "terrible" from a child's perspective.

I do think reading this book together could trigger a conversation about what is terrible about each scenario and how to handle them. Or, you could not think so much, and just have a chuckle together!

But why should I blather on and on about it, see the genius that is the book for yourself!

[Savannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved the creative illustrations and the writing. It didn't state the obvious, just what a child would think. I liked that the view is from the child's eyes. For example, pg 1 is a picture of the child holding an ice cream come, looking down at his feet at the ice cream on the ground. The words read Oooopsie! I agree that that happening is terrible but not the monsters under the bed, or visiting the dentist, getting a haircut, or visiting grandma. My boys currently are not afraid of the dark or things under the bed so I didn't even like that that was brought up. Also my boys love visiting their grandmother's, and they do very well with dental visits and hair cuts. Started them young. I hated the scary clown one and was anxious thinking now my boys are going to start being afraid of the dark or things under their bed because of it. But all the other things are considered terrible. I did like the ending how he got another ice cream cone and that's never terrible. Overall, this is a book for older children. My boys are not in school yet so this doesn't completely relate to them but I didn't like how negative associations were made to positive things in my boys' lives.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a rare moment of maternal wisdom, I opted to read this book during the day. It turned out to be a fantastic call, not only for its depiction of "something under the bed", but also because it generated a lot of discussion; "what happens if you get an ice cream cone and the ice cream part falls off the cone part ('and lands in Australia, I wanted to add'), "what's so terrible about the dentist?", "don't all drains lead to the sea?". And then
I re-read the book after my kids had gone to play, and had one of those a-ha moments I have when I realize I am following in my father's Asperger's-induced, time-worn tradition of wanting to introduce my kids to things before they are ready (I Don't actually do this the way my father did, but do catch myself not realizing just how unlike tiny little men my sons are...and every day learn something of human development in the process). this succeeds in demonstrating how differently kids see the world and experience what happens to them. The illustrations are perfect, as is the sparse text. Have fun with this one, but not at bed time!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the initial warning about the horrible things in the book all the way to the triumphant end, this book is immense fun, though terrible. Each double-page spread shows a terrible thing from a first-person point of view. It is your ice cream that has fallen on the ground, your dentist moving towards your mouth, and even you who is the new student in a crowded classroom.

Children of all ages will see their own fears reflected here with unflinching realism and great style. Each illustration has a quirky feel to it, a glee about the terribleness of the page that makes children feel a rush of it themselves.

Perfect to read aloud to a class, children will automatically start their own list of terrible things. Though there are few words on each page, this book will work best with children who are slightly older: ages 5-8.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelley, M. Twelve Terrible Things. New York: Tricycle Press (2008).

This silly book explores 12 different, but common fears that young children fear, such as monsters under the bed. The book helps young children to understand that everyone is scared of something but that it everything is not always what we think it is.

This book is very cute and while the reading level is ages 4-8, teenagers would enjoy this book as well because of its silliness and it will bring back what they were afraid of when they were children--it did for me! This is a very good book to have both at home and in the classroom to help a child deal with their fears.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Terrible Things is exactly as the title says... twelve two page illustrations depicting absolutely terrible things that everyone of most any age can relate to. Examples include: having the ice cream fall out of your cone, visiting the dentist, an annoying brother who makes you smell his feet and a grandma who pinches your cheeks. Perhaps not much substance here, but it might just encourage your young one to come up with their own list of twelve terrible things! Or maybe even fifteen fantastic things!!!

[Gail Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This isn't actually a story. It's more like the picture book equivalent of a listicle. Very realistic art illustrates twelve terrible things that happen to many kids: gravy day at the school cafeteria and elderly ladies looming in for a cheek pinch. This is clever and witty and probably for grade school age readers who will have experienced these "terrible things" and recognize that "terrible" is being used loosely here."

Excerpt from Original Content.

[Jen Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brightly illustrated book details 12 terrible things from the reader's point of view, including an old lady about to pinch your cheeks, a class full of kids staring at you (you're the new kid) and smelly socks in your face. The great watercolor illustrations are realistic and on some pagespreads really make you feel like you're on the spot. One of those picture books that is for kids aged 6-99.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are 12 pretty terrible things, and you, reader, get to experience them personally! Or, at least through the illustrations. From a dropped ice cream cone, to monsters under the bed, and cheek-pinching relatives, you will probably be quaking with fear by the time you finish this book. Don't worry, it gets better. Except there's a clown. If you don't like clowns, you should probably skip that part. *shudder*

[Anna Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. It is awful things from a kid's perspective. It reminds me of a more modern Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, but with more emphasis on illustrations than text. While this would not make a good read-aloud, it is one I highly suggest checking into for a chuckle if nothing else.

[Rebecca Rule · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it shows the world, in all it's hilarious horrors, though a child's eyes. Children who read this book will know that at least one adult, Marty Kelley, knows what it's like to be a kid at the dentist or new in school or one who's dropped his strawberry iced cream to the sidewalk.