Just A Little Sick (I Can Read!) My First First Reading

Little Critter

by Mercer Mayer

Just A Little Sick

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Health, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published December 22, 2009

About the author

Mercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I read books about Little Critter when I was a kid, and I appreciate that he's a well-known and well-loved character. But the story in this book just didn't do it for me. It seems more like Mom is keeping him home to mess with him more than she's trying to protect him. He's "just a little sick", so his mother wants him to stay in bed. But he has a good appetite, he's well enough to want to play, and even when he starts to feel a little icky, he's refreshed by a nap. I don't know what ails this kid, but it certainly doesn't warrant his mother dragging him off to the germy doctor's office (where he could potentially catch something else) so the guy can sell them a big bottle of... something. Little Critter feels just fine, and when they get home, he wants to play with his friends. Mom says no. Now, I understand if she doesn't want him to spread whatever he's got, but that doesn't seem to be the issue. She's got a power trip going, and she doesn't want it to stop. She forces the kid back to bed, presumably so she can feed him more dry toast.

I get that the book is trying to show kids that being "just a little sick" might not be so fun after all... but the way the story goes about showing that is weak. It's not being sick that's the problem here. It's Mom's overbearing nursing of an illness so minor that the reader can't even tell what it is. Little Critter has a fever. That's all we know.

To me, it read more as Mom punishing Little Critter for being sick and having to stay home. But if she wants to listen to a kid whine from his bed all day because he's bored and hungry and cranky, that's her prerogative, I guess.

[Colette Denali · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vanessa & I both read Little Critter books as kids. I'm not sure how I felt about Little Critter as a kid, but I can say that, as an adult, I do not like these books. Aesthetically, they are not my jam at all.

p.s. I shelved this in "animal protagonists," but perhaps I shouldn't have?

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Critter is a little bit sick.

Young readers will relate to the experience of being sick enough to stay home from school but feeling well enough not to want to stay in bed.

Why did Little Critter’s mother take him to the doctor when he only had a very mild illness, requiring rest, fluids, and acetaminophen? That was clearly overkill. Did she have money burning a hole in her pocket? And why did the doctor give her a prescription when mild cold and flu-like symptoms are most often caused by viruses on which antibiotics will have no effect? Did he want to contribute to the overuse of antibiotics and the accelerate the growth of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains? He should have educated Little Critter’s mother on when a child needs to see a healthcare provider.

[Katie Ritoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Critter: Just a Little Sick is a great easy reader book for children in elementary school. The book follows little critter who is “just a little sick” and the day he has. The book is a perfect example of what it’s like for children to be “just a little sick”. This book would be great for having children start to read on their own.

Assignment #1

[Jenese Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this series when I was little. The illustrations go great with the story which is great to help kids follow along. It's funny because the book could persuade kids not to miss school because being at home sick is not fun.

[Sallie VanBlaricum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, entertaining, educational, excellent

Little critter is one of my kids favorite characters in a book. His stories and adventures are very helpful for my kids not only to read but to learn about life lessons.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book about a little (critter) getting sick and how he just doesn't want to be sick. He misses out on fun things and just wants to be better. A good story about taking time to get well.


Gifted to the Rivard boys.

[TJE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite for sure. Starting to really get into Little Critter now (2yrs4mos) and loves looking for the mouse, frog and spider. Wants to reread book every day and quotes the book frequently throughout the day.

[I DRM Free · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series as a kid

I loved this series of books when I was a kid. It's a joy to see them again and read them all over.

[Ardyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the most interesting plotline of all time, but okay as easy readers go.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty much how I feel when I'm sick

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was sick today.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda feel like even though it is made clear that this is not the idea this book is gonna make my kid want to play sick in order to stay home just once...

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that being just a little sick so not so bad or is it?

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Critter learns that staying home sick from school is not all that it's cracked up to be.

[Alicia Steagall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quit funny and humorous. Enjoy this read.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Love how the son learns that it's no fun being sick. I love how the mom holds her boundaries on having her son do what she thinks will help him get well.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Critter thinks it is fun to be just a little sick so he can stay home from school. Soon he realizes it isn't as good as he expected it to be. A very cute story and the illustrations are so fun. Watch for the spider and mouse on the pages.

[Hannah Delong · Rating 5 out of 5]

All these books were a favorite of mine to read when I was young. There is many different options.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Critter does not like to lay around. Much.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: "Little Critter has a day off from school!

When Little Critter® feels just a little sick, Mom lets him stay home from school. Hooray! But between visiting the doctor and staying inside all day, missing school is not what Little Critter expected.

Just a Little Sick is a simple story—perfect for emergent readers who are eager to join Little Critter on his adventures. "

My Review: A nice little lesson from Little Critter about being sick and discouraging acting sick. The sentences are simple, though it is a beginning reader and is more meant to be read with the words and sentences pointed out or allowing the child to read what they can. The images are great for deciphering the sentences as well. I read this one with Munchkin on a day he stayed home from work sick and he loved finding the little spider in each picture too.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my "cover" review for all the Little Critter books:
I'm a fan of Mercer Mayer for a couple of reasons. I think it is important that not all kids' books have to be heavy and deep into meaning and lessons. Some can just be everyday happenings. Yet every book leaves you feeling that something was learned. I can relate to what Little Critter experiences as a kid. I faced many of these experiences in a similar way. I was blessed.
Another reason I love these books is that they always leave me feeling happy.
A third reason that makes them SO fun is the illustrations. Fantastic! So well done. And finding the mouse and spider in every picture just adds to the fun. Some of the Little Critter books have a frog on every page.
And that makes these children's books so fulfilling, for kids and adults.

[Shelby Usrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has good illustrations throughout the story that could help a child understand and help them to continue to read along. The story line is pretty good. Having the children read about how being sick is not as fun as going to school is always a great way to motivate children. The story-line was easy to follow and easy to understand. It could help a children ease their fear about going to the doctor when he/she are sick because in the book the character has to go to the doctor.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Mercer Mayer book that all my kids enjoyed. My 5 yr old just adores Mayer and requests her books constantly. I read them at the breakfast or lunch table and even my 3 yr old twins get into them. We love trying to find the mouse and spider that seems to follow the main character around, they’re always doing silly things. Fun engaging themes that any child can relate to, a great addition to any children's library.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercer Mayer's characters are appealing to children. This emergent reader shows little critter's impatience with being home sick from school. Children will relate to being just sick enough to be home but not sick enough to not be bored out of their minds.

[Christian Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can show kids that by being sick, you can loose out on fun activities, so you should not try and miss school by saying you are sick. It also goes through the steps that must be done when you are sick.

[Taylor Brune · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book for students just learning how to read. Also the book has a great message encouraging children to want to go to school instead of staying home. The illustrations were great, also!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick
Being little sick is fun
No school
Breakfast in the bed
Plain toast
Fruity nut crunch
Go back to bed
Rocketship rest
Temperature
Fever
Sleepy
Nap
Feel great
Doctor
Wait
Go home play with friends
School tomorrow
No fun

[Michelle & Michael]

J P MAY

A cute book! Little Critter pretends to be sick because he is reluctant to go to school, just like what M does!

[Kim Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Critter must stay he after being sick.