I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way

by Thad Krasnesky, David Parkins (Illustrator)

From carefully aimed pouts and shifting blame to the threat of an all-out tantrum, this laugh-out-loud story for kids and adults focuses on the clever antics, advantage-taking, limit-testing, and childhood shenanigans of three-year-old Emmy. When Emmy spills juice and her dad’s pants get "orange-hosed,” she takes refuge behind Mom’s knee. Expecting a reprimand, Emmy is surprised when Mom tells Dad, "Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all . . . she’s only three.” Once Emmy discovers that she’s too young to be punished, she constantly wrangles her way out of trouble by proclaiming, "I’m only three!” and pulls a handy weapon from her arsenal of manipulative maneuvers. With hilarious, rhyming text and energetic ink and watercolor illustrations that capture Emmy’s expressions, from angelic to livid, readers discover that Emmy can’t get away with her outrageous behavior forever and that her actions do eventually have consequences.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl's bad behavior is constantly being excused by her mother, who repeated states, "After all, she's only three." That line works for a while, but there's a big difference between a child who doesn't know any better, and a downright brat. The story dragged on a bit too long, but the illustrations by David Parkins are cute.

[Hana Bilqisthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations is really cute. And it has interesting story!

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute only gets you so far in the real world. Capturing the glee of victory and the sting of defeat, this hilariously illustrated rhyming book lets us laugh at our own (and our little sibling's) attempts to prove otherwise.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

Mentioned in this episode:
Dusan Petricic
David Roberts

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show.

[Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picture book is cute and does a great job presenting how a three year old often get away with a lot because of their age. She gets away with getting her big brother in trouble for an accidental bumping in the hall, her sister in trouble for not sharing when she really took things without asking. Despite, the real and cute nature of this book, there is too much text. The rhymes are inconsistent and the main character is not all that lovable.

[Melissa Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this little brat! It has been neat showing to kids at the library and asking them if they ever act like this......It never fails they shake their heads no, no, no and then sneak a look at the parent to check their facial expression.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a really long book for preschoolers, but I think it's worth reading and maybe could be a book that you skip pages in. make sure to read the end where she gets punished. fun fun fun pictures.
rhyming lines.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmy is a usually sweet three year old who almost always gets into trouble and gets out of it quickly because of her age. Her mother, father, and older brother and sister have to make accommodations for her age but when they've all finally reached the end of their ropes, Emmy is sent to her room (maybe until she's four).

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what to make of this. The title didn't seem to quite fit, and the child's behavior was very aberrant. I wasn't sure if she learned her lesson by the end or not. The picture of the lizard in lingerie was funny, although maybe not appropriate for the targeted audience of this book.

[Vani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous pictures with a great story about a brat who tries to use her age as a defense for bad behaviour.

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmy finds ways to explain why her actions gets her what she wants - she is only three, but the excuses only last for so long. Emmy has a variety of tantrums, but the author provides redeeming facets of her character by the end of the story.

[Andrew Stockle · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I Always, Always Get My Way” is a book told from the perspective of a three year old. The reader is taken through all of the events of this little girl’s adventures, whether she is burying pirate treasure in the back yard which just so happens to be all the household silverware and her brother and sisters belongings, or scooping her own bowl of ice cream on a Saturday morning. The reader gets the impression that this little girl never get in trouble, until the end of the book that is when she is sent to her room. The text, which is all written in rhyme, is all over the place, interspersed with the pictures (possible to mirror the unpredictability of the little girl). The book is hard cover, easy to hold, and would be easy to read to a group of children. The illustrations are colorful and simple with a very shaggy feel. I would use this book to teach that children cannot get away with everything, at some point we must all be accountable for our choices.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book for my nephew to hear. The girl in the story is three, and my nephew is four, and he is at the age where he sometimes teeters between knowing what proper behavior is and that it's expected of him, and giving in to the powerful "consequences be damned, I want it my way" drive. He was alternately sympathetic toward the girl in the story, and appalled by her antics. It was lots of fun (and very educational to me) to watch those conflicting emotions cross his face as he processed this story. In the end, however, he decided that, "that little girl was acting like a heathen." Yes, she was. Unfortunately, I guess my nephew still kind of wanted her to be able to get away with it, because he had nothing good to say of the parents who finally held her accountable for her behavior. The teetering continues, I guess.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a little girl who can seemingly get away with ANYTHING. After all 'she's only three'. But when her antics take destruction to a whole new level, she learns that she can't always flash her little pouty face or throw a tantrum. Nope, she is sent straight to bed where she just may stay until she's four. This is a really great story to help children realize that there are consequences to their actions.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmy is used to getting her way. Her parents always stick up for her when she makes mistakes. Her brothers and sisters get in trouble when she tattles. After all-- she's only three! But one day when she causes a HEAP of trouble, she finally gets her just rewards.

The rhymes were a little forced at times, but the story was fun and children will identify.

[Rusty Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One morning at the breakfast table, when I read the juice box label (thinking is was tightly closed), my daddy's pants got orange-hosed."

I love this book! It has so much character and attitude. The illustrations were fabulous and full of life. Great book! Highly recommend it, especially those with three year olds.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my gosh! How my students laughed! Very lyrical and hysterical! The illustrations helped make the story complete. My students fight to get to this book first for checkout. I can't wait to read it again next year to my Specials classes.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blech.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very silly, but a good moral at the end, girl thinks and acts like a real child

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emmy learns that she can only use the excuse "I'm only three" so many times before there's trouble.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations, and the look of recognition on my son's face was hysterical.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and horrifying (at least for parents!). The rhyming is clever and fun. the illustrations are funny and adorable. Oh, the kids loved it too!

[Nancy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and funny. The little girl does finally understand she can't ALWAYS get her way in the end. I laughed out loud when the iguana dressed in a bikini made a run for it!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

She may be three years old and always always gets her way, but be sure to read the whole story.

[Alizea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ndnsjjau

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riotous humor and rhyming done well. Excellent illustration, too!

[Chloe Fairfield]

a cute little girl who is only 3 years old and who always always gets he own way but at the end of the book she does not get her way cause she takes it way too far up ahead.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I would have given it a 5 had it provided a "lesson learned" ending. As it is, it just ended with a time out. Did she learn the bigger lesson? That's what I want to know.

[Julia Stevens]

Great for pre-school aged children. This story presents a good opportunity to discuss appropriate behavior. Includes clever but predictable rhyming.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious rhyming antics of a three-year-old that thinks she won't get in trouble because of her age. The illustrations add to the hysterical couplets. Sure to be loved by parents and older siblings.