I Can Open It for You

by Shinsuke Yoshitake, Lisa Wilcut (Translator)

From acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake comes a humorous picture book about the empowering possibilities of growing up and a child's imagination!

Akira has a problem. He is too small to open packages by himself. He still needs grown-ups to help him. But one day, perhaps one day soon, he'll be able to open so many things without anyone's help—and not just packages. When that time comes, he'll make amazing discoveries and maybe even save the day with his new skills. There is so much to look forward to!

With humor and wit, acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake explores a child's feelings about growing the push and pull of relying on parents while striving to learn and do things by oneself. The youngest of readers will relate, while discovering the many ways that they can open up exciting new experiences at this very moment!

CELEBRATES THE PARENT-CHILD Growing up means embracing so many exciting opportunities! Parents will appreciate the reassuring messages of love and support as they seek to open new doors for their children, just as kids learn to do so for themselves!

PROMOTES CURIOSITY AND CREATIVE Laugh-out-loud and imaginative scenarios will inspire young readers to think about their own futures, dream up big ideas, and embrace the promise of tomorrow.

ENGAGING With a comic-like style, unique narrative approach, and fast pacing, kids will find humor and surprises on every page.

GO-TO Smart, comedic pacing, imaginative scenarios, and a compelling voice will make this a favorite picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Japan, Family

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

Associated Names:
* ヨシタケ シンスケ (Japanese)
* Shinsuke Yoshitake (English)
* 吉竹伸介 (Chinese)
* 요시타케 신스케 (Korean)
* ชินสุเกะ โยชิทาเกะ (Thai)

Shinsuke Yoshitake is the author-illustrator of many award-winning picture books, including New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year There Must Be More Than That!, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year The Boring Book, I Can Be Anything, I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band, and I Can Explain. His books have been translated into more than 10 languages. He lives in Japan.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy -- named Akira in the original Japanese version, but unnamed in this translation -- dreams of the day he can open jars and packages all by himself. The energy of first half and an earth-shattering mid-point helped me coast past the cloying turn in the closing pages.

[Sylvie Klingborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it in the bookstore while we were waiting for chloe to get out of the bathroom

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Would read again.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't worry kid, I can't open those little packets either and I'm a grown up.... this is a cute story and the illustrations are great.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toddler is determined to practice self-determination, starting with the ability to open things, such as snack packages. Of course, in the boy’s imagination, he can open anything. Cartoonish artwork shows how many more things we can open when we ask for help from others or let our mind apply the leverage.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little kid with an endearing cowlick tries to be a big boy and open his own snack. But, “umph/grunt/groan/grrrgggg/huff huff puff/aargh!”, it’s impossible. Dejected and defeated, the kid goes to ask Mom, who is able to open the snack right away. He dreams of a day when he can open anything, a day when children and grownups alike will line up for his amazing powers of opening things. The dream turns into a full-blown fantasy, complete with a magic wand that can amaze the world by revealing discoveries, catching bad guys, unmasking imposters, even freeing animals and punishing evil politicians. But at the moment, the kid is still hungry, and asks Dad to open another snack. Dad assures him that the two of them will open things together until the kid get bigger. The sweetly humorous finale shows the kid finding that he can open one thing – by holding a cookie in front of Dad’s face, he can open Dad’s mouth!

I love how Yoshitake can find a tiny moment of frustration in our day and make us laugh. Kids will love how the child imagines solving the problem with superhero powers and adults will recognize how these learning moments can be frustrating to children. The onomatopoeias are fun to read and are hand lettered. I like seeing Japanese culture reflected in the family – Mom and child bow to one another and Dad sits contentedly on the floor in lotus position. The artwork is rendered in pen and digitally, and makes great use of showing emotions in a simple graphic style.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy is frustrated that he can’t open things by himself. A tricky chocolate wrapper or a bottle of juice are things he wishes he could open himself. Instead, he has to get his mom's or dad’s help. He just wishes he were big enough to do things by himself.

Yoshitake creates accurate illustrations that depict a young boy’s frustrations and struggles with opening things. The onomatopoeias in this story are surprisingly accurate. What does it sound like when you open a can of soda? Phssst! Kids will love making these sounds on the page and can even mimic opening the items.

The young boy dreams of having a magic wand that will allow him to open anything he wants…cans, jars, bottles, animal cages, and houses. But, until then he will have to keep asking Mom and Dad for help and most importantly, remembering to say thank you.

For kids who struggle with being small or want to be more independent, this book is silly enough to help them realize that eventually, they will be big enough to do all kinds of things,

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute and potential story time choice for PreK or K. Read the book and have a bunch of containers for the kids to try to open. Could be a blast. This is one of those books that an experienced picture book reader knows immediately is not originally an American title. The food in the book is decidedly Japanese and illustrations and language might scandalize some sheltered US kids. They will giggle at the magical opening of an adult man's pants' fly, but some might be shocked at the characters on the toilet and sitting naked in the shower, sadly. Great addition for that very reason, though. Diversify those collections, people.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 026 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This author is a genius. His books are so funny and adorable all at once, not just in terms of the writing but the illustrations.

Must read as the next few books that I read by him really cheered me up.

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[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a humorous story about Akira, a boy too young to open the packages by himself. The author explores a child's feelings about growing up, exposing daily experiences and how a child rely on parents while striving to learn and to things by oneself. It's inspiring, hilarious and easy to read. The illustrations are caricaturistic and my kids have so much fun reading this book.

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own ]

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but seemed to belabor the point sometimes - there were six pages of opening things onomatopoeia when two would have been fine. The open everything wand showed more "naked" scenes than what seems necessary - the zipper coming down plus three people in the house in a state of undress. I'm guessing that's a difference in cultural humor. Otherwise, the payoff at the end was cute and the artwork with lots of facial expressions expertly done with minimal lines was great.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is cute and funny, and the main character's desire to be grown up so that he can open anything by himself will be relatable for kids and their parents. The illustrations and text are amusing, there's great onomatopoeia, and the ending is surprisingly heartwarming without being too sentimental.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about "big enough" for the very young. A young boy reconciles that he is not big enough to open things he'd like to open by himself. He gets help from mom and dad. After mom opens his candy his imagination takes off revealing his dream of being the most supreme "opener" of all. One of those sweet titles for toddlers that help them understand that they will grow into it soon enough.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly so delightful. Main character is small now and can't open things by himself, but someday, he will open everything! Whimsical funny and sweet.

Themes: Open/Closed, Growing Up, Imagination
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read a Yoshitake picture book yet, you are missing out. They are quirky and offbeat and so much fun. And really funny. This was had more of a heartfelt ending that parents will relate to.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny picture book on a relatable topic made all the more fun by cartoony illustrations. Dare I say, this is also a pretty fun phonics book with lots of sound effect words for kids to say, read, and hear.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akira is frustrated because he needs help opening many things. He daydreams about the day when he can open, well, everything! This is a very funny book with great sound effects that would be a great read aloud, and is also very sweet.

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Yoshitake's books! There's so many great images and sounds to explore in this one, and it's got adorable humor. I wish it was twice as big so I could use it for storytime, but with the intricate illustrations I think it's better for a solo read anyway.

[Connie T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This quirky book allows children to see that we all need help from time to time and as they grow up they'll be able to open jars and packages for themselves. Unfortunately, I felt the book was too long and not as funny as it intended to be.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, sweet and funny!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shinsuke Yoshitake does it again with a hilarious, child-centric story (and sound effects!).

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous, relatable, and full of feeling.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had my 7 yo and me giggling the entire time.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy who yearns to be big and grown up imagines all of the things that he will someday be able to open all by myself.

Cute and funny.

[chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAH

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book about a small boy who can’t open food packets, or sodas, or other things yet, but dreams of the day when he is old enough to open them.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly story about something kids may find really frustrating; taking it to the extreme makes them able to laugh about it. Too long for storytime.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute such a great story made me laugh aloud

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations- and the story is both funny and sweet.

[Corinne]

I...what just happened

I think I liked it