I Want Ice Cream!

by Elisabetta Pica, Silvia Borando (Illustrations)

Someone's definitely screaming for ice cream in this illustrated tale of disappointment, resistance, and acceptance.

When a young boy is denied an ice cream cone by his dad, the disappointment he feels is extreme. What begins is a cycle of emotions expressed through color. From sadness (blue), to envy of others with cones of their own (green), to anger (red), and more, his progression through a range of feelings / tactics is both humorous and cathartic to readers experiencing both his pain and the excessiveness of his reaction.

Meanwhile, his father's consistent response of a simple No serves as its own model of effectiveness in the face of tantrum. The art uses sparse, thick-lined images in black and white paired with a full range of colors, each associated with an emotional response. The simplicity of both the art and text combine to open the door to future referencing and resolving similar real-life situations that stem from hearing the word No.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Emotion, Storytime, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Roben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our young protagonist repeatedly demands ice cream but is told no - and the book walks us through the different emotions of a little one being denied something that they want. I wonder if they had said please... instead of just demanding? But that is something that could be explored between reader and listener. Why was the answer no? And do you think they will get ice cream tomorrow?
Simple illustrations and a good use of color to express different emotions!
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way the colors reflected some different emotions as the child went through a temper tantrum, and the parent calmly repeating "no" didn't bother me. The last page with the kid looking at all the other children with their ice creams didn't seem to be a satisfactory conclusion, though. Like, what are kids supposed to take away from that scene? I guess that's life, but it just didn't feel like it helped the story along.

[Cristina Di Matteo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gelato! è un albo illustrato per bambini carinissimo in cui ogni elemento concorre a creare la spiazzante ironia che i lettori di Minibombo conoscono bene. Con illustrazioni semplici ed espressive e una struttura ben calibrata tra variazione e ripetizioni, il libro affronta le varie emozioni attraverso i colori delle pagine. https://ilmondodichri.com/gelato/

[Megan Gery · Rating 4 out of 5]

P (18 months) has been throwing tantrums, so this book was a perfect way to explore frustrating feelings and anger while modeling consistent boundaries. It was also really fun to read. It could use a more satisfying conclusion— the ending feels somewhat abrupt.

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An instant hit with my oldest. I wish that the adult in the story had been a bit more understanding with the firm. Because the shift at the end was sudden and slightly inexplicable.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child throws a fit because s/he wants ice cream.

The illustrations are minimalistic black outlines on white space and cleverly use color to represent the child’s different emotions.

This picture book shows a caregiver calmly and repeatedly saying “no” in response to a tantrum, which not only models good parenting skills for older readers but also reassures them that it’s okay to say “no.” This is something with which Americans in particular seem to struggle.

This story also helps teach young readers that they won’t always get what they want.

[Katelynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

IDK, I didn't like the ending. The colors displaying the child's emotions about the ice cream, from happiness to jealousy and sadness and anger for a temper tantrum were cute, and I liked that the adult stayed with "no", but the ending just wasn't satisfactory. The child walks away and sees others with ice cream thinking maybe tomorrow they'll get ice cream. I get we don't always get what we want but it just left me like... okay?

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to read with kids as a prompt for talking about understanding emotions. You can stop on each reaction page to ask what the child is feeling and ask the kid how they would feel if they couldn't get ice cream. It would also be a fun one to perform at storytime.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple illustrations and text tell the story of a little boy who wants ice cream and his parent says no. As he pitches fit after fit, Dad calmly says no. The illustrations match the emotions that the child cycles through (blue for sad, green for envy, red for anger, etc.). Eventually, the boy learns acceptance as the parent remains calm the entire time. Well, there's always tomorrow.

This is a great example of calm and firm parenting and also teaches kids that it's okay to say "no" when they need to. This book is also great as a conversation starter on emotions and different ways the child could have handled things (e.g. saying please might have made a difference). A good individual or group read aloud for toddlers all the way up to about 7 or 8 years old.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Age: Toddler-Preschool
Emotions: Disappointment, Frustration

A little child desperately wants ice cream but keeps getting the same monotonous response from their caregiver: no. After going through a myriad of emotions like joy, impatience, sadness, spite, and anger, the child calms down by telling themself that they can get ice cream tomorrow. The book ends when the child is walking away and sees a bench full of kids enjoying ice cream.

The illustrations and length are perfect for an all ages storytime but the faceless adult is kind of a dick. Working through disappointment is a good life lesson for kids but the caregiver/storyline is offering no guidance or help.

[Jun Wang]

I like that she uses different colors to express different emotional expressions of the kid. Use black and white lines to depict the parent's calm expression. Sometimes it is necessary for kids to accept "no", and they cannot change anything because of being angry and cry. Didn't like the end, the kid saw other kids with ice cream.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child wants ice cream, especially because others are having it, but they are told no. I appreciate a book where a child is told no because it shows kids that they are not the only ones told no, but I wish there was some explanation, conclusion, or resolution as to why. This just reaffirms adults do things for no reason/to be mean.

[OC Welsch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Baby laughed the whole time, though I didn’t care for the sassiness of this book. Baby is only 5 months so I didn’t worry about content. If I was reading this to a two year old I would have closed the book because it isn’t something I would want to be teaching our little one.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be a good book to teach little ones that you don't always get what you want. And how to deal with the emotions not getting your way brings. However, the ending was a surprise--not a happy ending at all!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child goes through all the emotions when they can't get the ice cream they want.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, simple illustrations tell the story of a little one who absolutely wants ice cream, only to be repeatedly told 'no.'

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but would have enjoyed it more if there was a better ending.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple illustrations that perfectly capture a tantrum

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about a child throwing a temper tantrum over not getting an ice cream.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for teaching emotions!

[Maeghan Nutmeg Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in a squeaky voice for the kiddo, and a deep voice for the grown-up, and have a great time.

Fun for processing emotions and learning/understanding "no."

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 2/2.5

Emotions, Ice Cream

Watch a kid experience a range of emotions in their quest for ice cream.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

sounds like my 7yo, lol

[Yaocheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A must read for parents everywhere!

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text doesn’t change much but so much is said through the text that is used as well as in the illustrations and color changes!

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.