And What If I Won't?

by Maureen Fergus, Qin Leng

When Benny’s mother asks him to put his dirty plate in the sink, he responds by “What would you do if I said no?” Her answer is predictable, but not enough for Benny, whose “what if?” line of questioning continues as he dreams up increasingly naughty What if he threw his plate at the wall? What if he jumped on the couch in muddy rain boots? What if he tore pages out of library books? Playing on their shared sense of humor and imagination, and showing more than a little bit of indulgence, his mother’s answers become equally outrageous. She sends Benny off to the zoo, sells him to the circus, and even happily shoots him off into outer space as punishment for his behavior. Digitally rendered illustrations with a loose, expressive line play out each imagined scenario, with differing color treatment making the distinction between the real and the fantastic clear. The story’s circular ending brings it all back home with a clever—and entirely reasonable—punchline.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

Author also writes as M.L. Fergus

Maureen Fergus's books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for film and adapted for stage. They've been shortlisted and won many regional, national and international awards. Maureen also writes epic romantasy novels for older readers under the name M.L.Fergus. In addition to being a writer, Maureen has degrees in science and business, and she has held senior management positions in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.

Reviews

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Well," said Benny, "what would you do if I said that I liked being rude, that I didn't care about helping out around the house, and then I chucked my plate across the room?"
"I guess I'd try to catch the plate before it hit the wall," said his mom.

3.5 stars.

I read this because of the illustrator, who is great. I like this story. Simple, funny, fun. Kind of feels like an updated version of The Runaway Bunny: a child asking his mom what would happen if he did all kinds of naughty things, and her responding with love, good humour, and a healthy dose of exaggeration. Would be good for kids at a certain behavioural stage who are pushing the envelope. 4+

[Batu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitabın mesajı güzel, beş yaşındaki bir çocuk için varması gereken yere varıyor. Ne var ki, söz dinlememek konusunda bu kadar çok alternatif sunması, küçük sıpaların aklına karpuz kabuğu sokmak oluyor bir yerde!

[AvaAsh]

2

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' style book about MANNERS.

[Glynnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed this one randomly at the library, and little man LOVES it.
Very cute and cheeky - a phase our guy is in for sure!
Uses imagination to explore naughty behavior in a fun/safe way.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benny challenges his mother when she asks him to do a simple helpful task. He asks her what would she do if he won’t, and gets more and more saucy as she responds to his persistent questions.
This is intended to be amusing with the interaction becoming extreme, and hopefully children will see it as such and as an example of inappropriate behaviour not to be seriously reenacted.
Nicely illustrated.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the illustrations better than the story.

The whole time that I was reading this I kept on thinking, "Boy, would THIS turn out differently if he had been asking parents several generations ago that question, in particular, my parents!

"They would have said something along the lines of: 'Then you will get a spanking and be sent to bed.' And they would have followed through, right away, with no more foolishness, if he persisted."

Then this book would have definitely been shorter and less dramatic in its building of possible naughtiness.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, what memories this little obdurate guy brings back - wish I had been as cool as his mother!
Even her facial expressions and body language show that he is not getting the best of her!
The best part is that he still has to put his plate in the sink!
Illustrations follow the text and extend it a bit by showing how naughty he could be, and the exasperation of the various people/places she sends him.

[John (JP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book about a loving mother and a naughty boy. It starts with the mother asking the boy to put his plate in the sink and boy asking "What would you do if i said no?". A wonderful adventure ensues...

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally like question books and there is no doubt that most kids have been down this road before. It is a good example of what parents should say although most would be very exasperated before all the scenarios were out of the child's mouth. K-3.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the illustrations. The circular story is good too. The little boy asking questions and his mother answers them, it loops around nicely, but it is a story I have read before. I think the illustrations make the story. I look forward to checking out other books Qin Leng has done.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars This is a funny little story about consequences. It is important that kids know that their choices have effects.

Nice story, got a little giggle from me which is usually pretty good!
All Naughty Children will be given to the Zoo and then the Circus!!

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benny has lots of questions for his Momma. She is great at helping him see the consequences for his choices. I love that she shows that she will always love him even if she has to send him to the moon because of his bad behavior.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, a sweet tale and a young boy testing his mother's limits.
A mother that follows his dramatic story along and yet still
makes her point eloquently. The dishes would still need to go
in the sink. Excellent to read to a youngster who's having difficulty
following household requests.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated tale about imaginative and questioning kids. It also illustrates the patience that mothers must have as well as their undying sense of humor.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Répétitif mais mignon!

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the illustrations, but I didn't like that the mom said she'd give the child away. I know it's all meant to be silly fun, but that bothered me a bit.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book about a mother and a son who wants to know "What if I won't ?"

[Benji Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Dot:
****

From Judy:
*****