I'm Number One

by Michael Rosen

'I'm A-One. I'm big A-One. Let me tell you, A-One rules'. But without other people to wind his key, A-One, big A-One, is a useless, no-good no-one! Luckily, Maddy and Sally and Sid find the perfect way to show the bully how much he really needs them.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

25 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2009

About the author

Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Dest · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bully discovers his sense of humor when his targets make nonsense words and phrases out of his taunts. Then they all have a laugh and decide to be friends. Two things: 1. Laughing at a bully rarely makes him see the error of his ways. 2. I didn't think the silly nonsense talk was very funny, and it's always discouraging when characters are said to laugh heartily over something you don't think is funny.

Still, it was generally reviewed well, so maybe I just don't get it.

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm number One" by Michael Rosen is a story of a wind-up toy soldier. He thinks he is the greatest and puts the others down around him calling them names. He soon realizes that he needs them to wind him up to bring him to life.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this book...

[Maddy Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre:
Date: 11-5
Grade Range: 2-5

This book teaches kids about acceptance. Some students may feel like they have to be in charge, be a bully, in order for students to accept them. They feel like no one likes them and they have to boss people around. That's what this toy feels like in the book. I can relate to the other toys as I have been bullied myself. It shows that change is possible and if you are nicer to people, there will be acceptance from others.

[Mehjabeen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this book a few chances (yes really, a few) but it doesn't do anything for me and I honestly wouldn't know how to tell the story with any enthusiasm.

The courage Sally, Maddy, and Sid gather to stand up for themselves is made flat by A-One's odd comment at the end (not to mention the abrupt end itself). Seeing that A-One is one very awful bully, isn't a more thorough discussion necessary rather than a few of A-One's lines?

I am curious about this Laureate and how he could've written this odd book. It's the first I've read by him and hope I won't be disappointed by his other books.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love both Michael Rosen and Bob Graham but this book didn't really do anything for me. A-One is a mean bossy wind up toy and the other toy friends sort of put up with it. In the end they have a bit of a laugh over A-One's nasty behavior and all is right. I could see a child relating to being a mean grump sometimes and everyone getting over it but I don't usually like books that could be "used for" something like correcting behavior. Not my bag, baby. I still like the illustrations :)

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the family leaves the house for the day, a wind-up soldier toy begins bossing all the other toys around, bragging "I'm A-One. A-One rules. I'm in charge," and bullying. The gentle, funny way the toys handle the situation turns A-One's behavior around. I don't usually enjoy "teaching" books, but this one is pretty clever and not too didactic.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character demands the others wind his key. When they do, he tells them, "You're no good," "You're so bad," and "You're the worst." He mocks them for their attire and them takes the ridiculed items for himself. The turn-around at the end is not much of a turn-around and is not strong enough to offset all the damage done. DO NOT READ THIS TO YOUR CHILD!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 1 out of 5]

A-One, the main character, is a bully and the other toys cave to his demands. In the end the toys laugh about how they're treated and A-One never apologizes for how mean he was; instead, he acts sheepish and returns the items he took from the others. Not a great theme!

[Tricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

ack! what the? we all got the bully thing but the whole book doesn't flow well with the a-one character. disappointing from this combo of talent.

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naming the bully A-One was confusing. We liked the handling the bully storyline tho.

[Edna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Little Toy Soldier angrily bosses and berates the other toys until they start to giggle and make him feel silly.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Illustrations are wonderful but the story is not very upbeat
A wind-up soldier bosses and berates the other toys, making them feel terrible, until they suddenly start to rebel.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book for a kid who likes telling others what to do during play and keeping everything for themselves.

[Rani · Rating 3 out of 5]

When A-One takes charge and bullies everyone, he also learns how silly he sounds.