Don't Say That Word!

by Alan Katz, David Catrow (Illustrator)

In Art my pal Richie got inky.
But Mom, that was only the start.
'Cause Richie then made the room stinky
by blasting a really big...

DON'T SAY THAT WORD!

Michael can't wait to tell his mom all about his day at school. But how can he, when she keeps stopping him before he gets to the best part?

Laugh out loud with the bestselling team who brought us Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Songs and the other hilarious books in the Silly Dilly series. But what ever you do...

DON'T
SAY
THAT
WORD!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 2007

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, there are so many things wrong with this book. For starters, the cover has Michael sitting on a "time out" box in the corner with soap in his mouth. When was the last time you saw or heard of someone using soap to discipline their child? I knew right then that this was going to be the perfect "bad" book to use for a class assignment to find a children's book that is really not appropriate to read to children.
Why is the parent always screaming, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!"? No conversation as to why not to use a specific word, or a suggestion of a better word. Nope. Just a lot of yelling and punishing for really no good reason. And mom, please ask your child to move off the steps so you don't vacuum his hair while it's still attached to his head. What's wrong with saying "burp"? Is there a better word to use instead? Apparently "poop" is also not ok to say, and Michael ends up sitting on the "time out" box again, but this time in the closet. The Closet!? Other taboo words are: "butt," "barf," and "toilet." That's right, you can't even say "toilet" without mom screaming, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Michael gets soap in his mouth & a finger wag for saying, "fart." The book ends with mom telling Michael it's time for "Bed," which has Michael scream, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Great example you set mom.
I don't like the parenting style nor the disciplining methods used. The words that hinted at (the ones that get mom yelling, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!") would make for a fun, gross story that young children would enjoy. I don't think it's so bad to say most of these words. The book would have been more fun if the words were left out, mom wasn't screaming, & it was left to the imagination of the children to fill in the blanks.

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars. The cute, rhyming is great. The kid laughed, but we all wondered why the child couldn’t say normal words. The mom seems a bit eccentric.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have really enjoyed reading the books written and illustrated by David Catrow. And we've also enjoyed the collaborations between Mr. Catrow and Mr. Katz in their Silly Dilly Songs series.

So, when I discovered this book at our local library, I just knew I needed to borrow it. It's a fun tale that shows how a mom encourages her son to tell her about his day at school, but strongly discourages him to use 'bad' words.

The narrative includes fun rhymes that allow the reader to infer what the 'bad' words are without actually using them.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute. Michael kept trying to say some bad words but he was always interrupted. There is one word that he couldn't say but I don't see the problem with it. Of course, it's a rhyming word and it fit but why couldn't he say b..p (rhymes with chirp)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun, but for an older picture book audience. And for parents who don't mind that the child may say the word 'butt,' 'fart,' or 'poop.'

[Nichole Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre Non fiction
Grades 1st-4th

So, this is a funny book to read to kids, or have the older kids read it to you. However, some of the pictures I wasn't that impressed with what the author was putting out there. Like the child in a corner in time out ect. But the students really like what the author is trying to get across. Like DONT say that word......... and ect. It is super catchy with the rhyming. My students loved it so I rated it a four out of 5 for second graders.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly Dilly read out loud story, about Michael who tries to tell his mother about his day at school, and all the amazing and fun things that happens, but just when he gets ready to tell her the best part, she says "Don't Say That Word!" It's a wonder, if his mother will every hear about Michael's day.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming couplets that end with an unwritten word, which the reader is left to guess. The missing words are those that are often considered impolite.
A whole lot of kids will enjoy providing the missing words...

[Katsuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book wasn't bad, but the naughty words that were implied were on the tame side. Looking forward to a sequel with rhymes for "well," "twitch," "bigger" and "runt."

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly read aloud that will have kids giggling.

[Rachel Stine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids will love this potty humor filled book and their parents are gonna complain.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of illustrator David Catrow, and I particularly enjoyed two of his previous collaborations with Alan Katz -- the alternate-lyrics books Take Me Out of the Bathtub and I'm Still Here in the Bathtub.

For Don't Say That Word! Catrow and Katz take their goofery to new heights -- or perhaps new lows would be a more apt term. This fun, crazy book is all about potty humor.

Each spread features a devilish-looking redheaded boy telling his mom the various misadventures that occurred during his school day. But before he can get to the punchline of each story, you turn to page to see a spread of his mother hollering,"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Because the capper to each little story is some kind of pottyish, no-no word like "barf," "toilet," or "butt."

The evil genius of this book is that none of the words are mentioned, but Katz provides rhymes so you know exactly what to put into the blank. The first bit involves an in-class snack of cookies -- "oatmeal, fudge, and sugar." One kid picks his nose, and tops his cookie with a...

And then you turn the page to see the mother screaming, "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" And even though the kid in the book never says it, everybody knows the word for what comes out of your nose and rhymes with "sugar."

And so this book is awesome. Catrow's normally wonky illustrations are turned up a few notches to become truly bizarre, and it's a perfect fit.

Speaking of perfect, that's what this book is for children ages 8-10 (especially boys!) and any grownups in your life who still think burps are funny.

[Whole And]

To be honest, I don't normally include or rate books here that I feel should not be read, at all. However, I'm making an exception in this case and making a strong point that "Don't Say That Word" completely unnerves me. My daughter, for some reason, was attracted to this book on one of our recent trips to the library. Most of the time, I follow her lead and go down the path she takes me.

I realized, while reading this book, that every page and rhyme are completely opposed to everything I put into my parenting practice.
The language, even if it's only implied, is exactly what we do not want to encourage our little people to use. The way to overcome this is by introducing a rich vocabulary at an early age and continue to build it as they grow. NOT by saying, 'don't say that world.'

I also feel that there is no parenting through connection present in this story, with time outs, pointing fingers and bold yelling letters. Rather than bring a child to understanding and provide them with alternative ways of expressing what they wish to express, the book instead impresses a rebellious spirit which would have them using the unwanted words more frequently.

Sorry for the spoiler, but the image of the toilet water overflowing into the bathroom while the child plays there, flat out turns my stomach.

I highly recommend staying away from this book.

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I had mixed feelings about this Alan Katz book that is really just a potty humor story alongside a don't-parent-this-way story. The blurb for this book says, "Michael can't wait to tell his mom all about his day at school. But how can he, when she keeps stopping him before he gets to the best part?" He keeps trying to tell her about his day, but she interrupts when she realizes a naughty word is coming. For Mom, naughty words are toilet, burp, poop and fart. And for punishment, Michael gets sent to time out (once in the closet), is vacuumed up, and gets soap shoved in his mouth.

But from a kid's perspective, this is a completely hilarious book. The facial and body expressions of Michael as he tells about his day are laugh out loud funny. Even I wheezed a couple of times I laughed so hard. So, once again, I say Alan Katz is for the older set of readers--ages 8-12--who can read this themselves, understand potty humor for what it is, and won't take offense at Mom's bad behavior. For the younger crowd, I would give it a pass.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If kids don't giggle and respond to this book, I am not sure what will capture their attention...Don't Say That Word! is sure to get their bellies laughing and their heads spinning, as the precocious boy tells his mother about his day at school.

Full of boogers, barf, butts, and farts, Michael is begging to get his mouth washed out with soap...that is until, his mother is just about to utter the one word that Michael will not tolerate. Come on, you know it, every mother does.

" Well, Michael...

Today was a sea of great dramas.
I hope there are calm days ahead.
Run along- put on your pajamas,
It's late and you should be in...."

"DON'T SAY THAT WORD!"

I'm dying to try this one out in storytime, especially for the older kids. There will be stories abound with this one! It will certainly be a conversation starter...as adults relate the now-obsolete discipline tactic of threatening to wash your mouth out with soap. Hilarious!

[Veronica]

I'm working on creating a booklist for my local public library. This book was one in consideration for this list.

I'm not putting this book on the list for a couple of reasons. First off, I don't understand why the kid in the book couldn't say the words he was trying to say. They are perfectly acceptable, as in not curse words. Secondly, I don't like the idea of making a big deal out of vocabulary descriptions when children are still learning words. It should be they use the slightly impolite though effective word, and then are taught a better one. Thirdly, it seems to me that what is acceptable vocabulary, while not being blatant like curse words, is really up to the parents. I don't feel comfortable with this book at all. Also, the illustrations were not appealing, and the main character was kind of a jerk.

[Wendy Jones]

This book is really funny. I read it to a little boy and he laughed the whole time. The boy in the book, Michael, begins to tell his mom about his day at school and all sorts of crazy things happened. When he begins to say certain words his mother yells "DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" Although I don't think I would use this book for a whole group lesson, I think it would be good to have in my classroom library because once students get to a point where they are comprehending well and understanding rhyming well, the students would enjoy reading it.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a while ago and was shocked to discover it's not on my goodreads list!

Anyway, this is one of my standing favorites. It's just gross enough that kids love it. My favorite time was reading it, then my niece would say that "bad" word that came next, then I would yell the "Don't say that word!" Ah, fun, dirty words. (The best part is they're not really dirty, but burp, fart, toilet, etc are still fun.)

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids love this book. They wont let me turn the page and they keep telling me to say it!!!! Basically this little boy is telling his mom about his day at school, and before he can complete the sentence the mom tells him "Dont Say that Word", mainly because it isnt a word that you want your kid to go around saying like "booger, barf, butt, burp"

[Carey Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2007 - poetry

This book was a very cute book. Told in rhyme, Michael is trying to tell his mother about his day but every time he starts to say an impolite word, his mother interrupts him. It was fun trying to figure out which "bad word" will end his little rhymes.
And I love any book illustrated by David Catrow.

[Dona Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love David Catrow's books. He collaborates with some creative geniuses. That being said, I am also careful about who I recommend his very funny books too. In atleast one other book besides this one he leads the reader down a windy path of words that rhyme with "butt" which is always intensely funny to children of all ages including teenagers and seemingly full grown adults.

[Philippa Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit naughty for preschool children and some parents of children in this age group might think that it will encourage their children to be rude. However I like the dark humour and I thought it was great. Great illustrations although perhaps the theme and it's overall presentation are better suited to a slightly older age group

[Brittany Harper]

This entertaining book tells the story of Michael, a young boy who just wants to tell his mom about his day but he can't because every time he gets to the best part, his mom stops him and tells him not to say "that word".

Activity: Students can write about something their parents won't let them do.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! You supply the 'word' to fit the rhyme. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have read this to my son the week before he starts preschool! Oh well, hopefully he won't remember any of the rhymes!

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micheal, the little boy in the story, keeps getting cut off by his mother before he gets to tell her about his day! This is a very cute book that children will like to read. It's fun to guess what micheal is trying to say before his mother cuts him off! This book is a good read for ages 5-11.

[Cerys Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm tempted to try this as a read aloud but each spread has a rhyme with the last word missing, albeit obvious. I'm worried that the kids will shout it out. (So much for my classroom management skills.)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed and busy (but in a good way) illustrations that are cartoonish and look Helquist-esque. Funny story good for predicting and inferring what the "bad" word is through rhyme and picture.
Maybe 3.5

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Michael is trying to tell his mom about his day at school but she keeps screaming, "Don't say that word!" when he gets to the best parts. Catrow's quirky illustrations add even more humor to this funny tale.

[Amy!]

I tried using this in one of my storytimes, and I think the rhymes are a little too subtle for a large group of four year olds to figure out what the censored words are. I think it would be hilarious one on one so you could help the kiddo figure out what's going on, but it's not for storytime.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read with kids and get them excited about school and reading...all while saying a few "yucky" words! The pictures are very well done and offer some great clues and additional insight for understanding the story.