Pookins Gets Her Way: A Funny Picture Book about a Magic Gnome, Three Wishes, and Bullying for Children (Ages 4-7)

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Pookins always gets her way. If she doesn't, she makes faces, she throws apples, and she yells very loudly! But when Pookins finds a magic gnome who grants her three wishes, she has seconds thoughts when she wishes to be a flower, and realizes that maybe being a bully isn't a good idea.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1987

About the author

Helen Lester is the author of many children’s books. Her background with children includes being a mother of two and a former elementary school teacher of ten years. While at home with her children, Helen realized the importance of quality children’s literature. Helen started her writing career as a struggling author facing many rejections by publishing companies. Her first book was finally published in 1979. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York.

Reviews

[Jj]

Does Pookins really learn her lesson in the end? I doubt it, but perhaps she's a bit wiser after her run-in with the gnome.
Yes, many people might give you what you want to avoid dealing with the consequences and your ridiculous tantrums. But not everyone plays along with the manipulative behavior game in this life.

More a commentary on human nature than anything, and definitely some good fodder here for talking with kids after a reading together.

[Yasmin]

My Dad gave me the pet name of Pookins, but it wasn't for this character. I love this character and the fact she keeps back an apple "just in case". Did Pookins learn her lesson or not? Who knows but it's adorable anyway.

[Mae]

3.5 stars

[Lucas]

Pookins is absolutely brilliant. Pookins is the greatest character in literature.

[Jbondandrews]

Have waited to read this book and it was a wonderfully adorable read.

[Healthy Dose of Self-Destruction]

★★★★★★★★★✩
9/10 Extremamente bom

[Shelli]

Many picture books show children examples of good behavior, while others show bad behavior; this one shows the bad. Pookins is a little girl who is being brought up without discipline. No one wants to be the brunt of her yelling apple throwing ways when she is corrected, so they just don’t. As a result Pookins is a real pain and a good example to share children when they are frustrated at receiving consequences from their loving parents.

[Lynn]

For PreSchool-Grade 1, a little girl used to getting her own way through tantrums, meets a gnome who grants her three wishes. Her wish to become a flower backfires when she finds it dull, so Pookins trades her bad habits for freedom. I enjoyed this book and want to share it with my daughter. Comes with downloadable audio and good for lessons on consideration.

[Jessica]

Another wonderful story by Helen Lester! My mother and I loved to check this one out from the library!It is very hard to find now - I have only been able to order it online or check it out at very few libraries.

[Jillian]

I'm never sure what to think about Helen Lester's morality tales. This one was more on the mark than most, but it still just seems a bit off.

The illustrations were darling, though, and at the very least the lesson is solidly learned.

[Jenny]

Pookins makes faces and throws apples if she doesn't get her way, so everyone gives her what she wants. One day she meets a gnome who grants her three wishes...but her last wish doesn't turn out quite how she had expected or hoped. A short and simple story aimed at very young readers.

[Dichotomy Girl]

It's Not always good to get your way.

Avery really seemed to enjoy this, but that could be because it was shiny and had a very pat-able cover. She is after all, only 7 months old :)

[Mbfwedge]

The first book I was ever able to read by myself. :)