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Little Critter
All by Myself
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter wants to show you all the things he can do for himself in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book.
Whether he's tying his shoes, coloring a picture, or riding his bike, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about independence!
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter stories, which address all the major issues of growing up, are perennial favorites of parents and children alike.
Whether he's tying his shoes, coloring a picture, or riding his bike, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about independence!
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter stories, which address all the major issues of growing up, are perennial favorites of parents and children alike.
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Mercer Mayer
805 books811 followersMercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
May 13, 2019
I can’t get over how much Critter is like my nephew. This is about all the things that Critter can sorta do by himself. My nephew is getting better at doing things for himself now. He can still make a mess of things too. At least he can use toothpaste without wasting much of it now.
We could all relate to this beginning book. It was very cute and sweet. The niece gave this 3 stars and the nephew gave this 5 stars. I think the nephew resonates with this character without thinking about it.
Mercer sure does not young kids. Wow.
We could all relate to this beginning book. It was very cute and sweet. The niece gave this 3 stars and the nephew gave this 5 stars. I think the nephew resonates with this character without thinking about it.
Mercer sure does not young kids. Wow.
December 20, 2022
My 2-year-old niece was drawn to this over and over again, but somehow it didn’t sustain her to ever finish. Her language is exploding now, and she caught onto how the images contradict the character’s declaration of what he can do all by himself. We had some good moments, and this is a solid book, just not exceptional.
July 30, 2013
*Read by me, reviewed by my niece*
All by Myself is the day-in-the-life story of a young, scruffy monster-boy, who shall go nameless, because his name was never given. He gets up, gets himself dressed and fed, "helps" feed and play with his sister, plays by himself, "helps" his parents, then hits the hay. Not a lot of nail-biting excitement here, but there's some laughs to be had.
Niece Emma (who turned 4 on Saturday with an off-the-chain party...yeah, there was face painting) didn't want to read this right off, preferring to be wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito, but as soon as I began she hustled on over and demanded I start from the beginning. Since I was only two pages in and each page contains one sentence of about four to six words, I was okay with it. But that ain't happening if she tries to pull that crap when we're a tenth of the way through Anna Karenina.
Overall she enjoyed it. Her favorite parts were when a mouse sailed a boat across a puddle and when the monster-boy tried to give his teddybear a drink of water. In fact, that last part put a devilish grin on her face and I'm guessing her mom's going to find soaked stuffed animals about the house soon.
All by Myself is the day-in-the-life story of a young, scruffy monster-boy, who shall go nameless, because his name was never given. He gets up, gets himself dressed and fed, "helps" feed and play with his sister, plays by himself, "helps" his parents, then hits the hay. Not a lot of nail-biting excitement here, but there's some laughs to be had.
Niece Emma (who turned 4 on Saturday with an off-the-chain party...yeah, there was face painting) didn't want to read this right off, preferring to be wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito, but as soon as I began she hustled on over and demanded I start from the beginning. Since I was only two pages in and each page contains one sentence of about four to six words, I was okay with it. But that ain't happening if she tries to pull that crap when we're a tenth of the way through Anna Karenina.
Overall she enjoyed it. Her favorite parts were when a mouse sailed a boat across a puddle and when the monster-boy tried to give his teddybear a drink of water. In fact, that last part put a devilish grin on her face and I'm guessing her mom's going to find soaked stuffed animals about the house soon.
December 8, 2020
I bought this book for my boys when they were little. Both are now in their 40s. Now my three and a half year old grandson is loving it!
February 26, 2018
4 Little independent ★'s
All by Myself is a great book for preschoolers and for kindergarten. It's a really cute picture book. It's about a little boy who's trying to do all things on his own. From getting dressed to tying his shoes to riding his bike and so on. He struggles with some of the tasks but still, he thrives for his independents. And in the end, there are still things he needs help with like being read to at bedtime. This book really is wonderful :) The illustrations are colorful, sweet, cute and some are really funny. It's also really fun having the kids find the mouse throughout the book. Plus it has a cute little message about being independent, excepting guidance, that it's okay if you make mistakes and not giving up. I have also loved the Little Critter Series books!
All by Myself is a great book for preschoolers and for kindergarten. It's a really cute picture book. It's about a little boy who's trying to do all things on his own. From getting dressed to tying his shoes to riding his bike and so on. He struggles with some of the tasks but still, he thrives for his independents. And in the end, there are still things he needs help with like being read to at bedtime. This book really is wonderful :) The illustrations are colorful, sweet, cute and some are really funny. It's also really fun having the kids find the mouse throughout the book. Plus it has a cute little message about being independent, excepting guidance, that it's okay if you make mistakes and not giving up. I have also loved the Little Critter Series books!
July 15, 2019
Really cute story, read it often to my kids when they were toddler age.
November 16, 2021
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter wants to show you all the things he can do for himself in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he's tying his shoes, coloring a picture, or riding his bike, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to teach children about independence!
September 21, 2016
1) Book summary: Al by Myself demostrate how little Critter can do everything on his own while having little slip up here and there. You have to read the book to learn the things he was able to do without his parents.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile : The grade level for this book is kindergarten to the 2nd grade. The interest level for this book I would recommend for the ages 2-5 years ago. I still love the Mercer Mayer books! The lexile for this book is AD370L.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area): I would most definitely use this book to demostrate independence at a early age. I would allow the students to show independence when they are in their centers and when it's time to clean up. I would give my students free roam to develop certain characteristic inside of my classroom.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading: I would give this book to a child who is still having a hard time doing basic everything things certain other students are advancing in.
5) Small group use (literary circles): I would use this book to discuss the book with my student and maybe give them a worksheet on things they can do all by themselves.
6) Whole class use (read aloud): As a whole classroom assignment I would allow the students to come up with rules they can help inside of the classroom to keep the room in order.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area : Just go to bed, I was so mad, and and Being Thankful.
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available: School and library binding, paperback
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile : The grade level for this book is kindergarten to the 2nd grade. The interest level for this book I would recommend for the ages 2-5 years ago. I still love the Mercer Mayer books! The lexile for this book is AD370L.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area): I would most definitely use this book to demostrate independence at a early age. I would allow the students to show independence when they are in their centers and when it's time to clean up. I would give my students free roam to develop certain characteristic inside of my classroom.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading: I would give this book to a child who is still having a hard time doing basic everything things certain other students are advancing in.
5) Small group use (literary circles): I would use this book to discuss the book with my student and maybe give them a worksheet on things they can do all by themselves.
6) Whole class use (read aloud): As a whole classroom assignment I would allow the students to come up with rules they can help inside of the classroom to keep the room in order.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area : Just go to bed, I was so mad, and and Being Thankful.
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available: School and library binding, paperback
April 24, 2009
I like this book quite a bit. The pictures and words very definitely form a part of the backbone that is my life. Mercer Mayer certainly has had a substantial impact.
March 8, 2018
4.5 stars
Summary: The picture book, “All by Myself”, tells a story about a little messy boy trying to do things on his own. While he struggles with some tasks, he still strives to be independent. At the end of the book, he shows that there are still some things he needs his parents help with, which is read a book before bed time.
Themes: The themes shown in the book are independence, guidance, making mistakes, and acceptance.
Personal Note: I really enjoyed this book. When I went to Barnes and Noble to pick out books, I decided to pick this one because I remembered reading other books from this series. I remembered the mouse in particular, because I enjoyed following the mouse in every illustration and wondering where the mouse might be on the next page. I think that this book should be read to children at a younger age to show children that doing things on your own might be challenging but mistakes are a part of learning.
Recommend this book: This book provides guidance for students at a young age. It shows children that they are capable of doing things on their own. I think that this can influence children to be organized and efficient. In the illustrations it shows that there might be difficulties while doing things on your own but with practice, those tasks become easier. If a teacher decided to read this book to a class, after free time, the teacher could provide a checklist with all the chores and check them off according to what was used, and each student would be responsible for one of the chores, like one student puts away all the building blocks. Also because students show a responsibility in their classroom, students can incorporate this into their home living as well.
Summary: The picture book, “All by Myself”, tells a story about a little messy boy trying to do things on his own. While he struggles with some tasks, he still strives to be independent. At the end of the book, he shows that there are still some things he needs his parents help with, which is read a book before bed time.
Themes: The themes shown in the book are independence, guidance, making mistakes, and acceptance.
Personal Note: I really enjoyed this book. When I went to Barnes and Noble to pick out books, I decided to pick this one because I remembered reading other books from this series. I remembered the mouse in particular, because I enjoyed following the mouse in every illustration and wondering where the mouse might be on the next page. I think that this book should be read to children at a younger age to show children that doing things on your own might be challenging but mistakes are a part of learning.
Recommend this book: This book provides guidance for students at a young age. It shows children that they are capable of doing things on their own. I think that this can influence children to be organized and efficient. In the illustrations it shows that there might be difficulties while doing things on your own but with practice, those tasks become easier. If a teacher decided to read this book to a class, after free time, the teacher could provide a checklist with all the chores and check them off according to what was used, and each student would be responsible for one of the chores, like one student puts away all the building blocks. Also because students show a responsibility in their classroom, students can incorporate this into their home living as well.
October 12, 2011
Basic Plot: Little Critter goes through his day doing everything by himself.
The illustrations are funny and cute. Most of the things Critter attempts for himself go at least slightly awry and the characters have some hilarious facial expressions. There are lots of good opportunities for discussion of what is really going on in the pictures versus what the words say.
On my color Nook, you can touch the pictures and the word of the item touched will pop up with audio of the word being said. You have the added bonus of having the child reading along find the mouse in most of the illustrations. The mouse hunt is also by touch and tallied for you; the book tells you how well you did at the end in finding them all. A fun read for little kids.
The illustrations are funny and cute. Most of the things Critter attempts for himself go at least slightly awry and the characters have some hilarious facial expressions. There are lots of good opportunities for discussion of what is really going on in the pictures versus what the words say.
On my color Nook, you can touch the pictures and the word of the item touched will pop up with audio of the word being said. You have the added bonus of having the child reading along find the mouse in most of the illustrations. The mouse hunt is also by touch and tallied for you; the book tells you how well you did at the end in finding them all. A fun read for little kids.
March 10, 2013
This book is about how little critter can do many things independently. I read this to my kindergarten class to help them learn what the word independent means, so that they could learn how to be like little critter and be independent learners.
June 20, 2008
I love this whole collection of stories...they are great...lots of activites to do with them.
November 13, 2017
Fun finding the mouse!
November 10, 2018
So fun getting to revisit these stories from when my babies were younger. Now of course the baby I read them to at night is my husband while he plays games on his phone. But still so cute!!
February 2, 2020
Solid story about self actualization being aligned with helping your fellow man. Also reminds me of that song.
May 11, 2025
Birthday present for my independent 3-year old 😀
October 19, 2024
A cute children's picture book about Little Critter going about his day and doing activities by himself. Independence is such an important thing for children to learn and this book helps them understand that trying is what matters, even if they aren't perfect or sometimes make mistakes. Little Critter makes a lot of mistakes, but he's trying! As always, the illustrations are so cute and the details in the pictures really make these so good. Would definitely recommend for any child's bookshelf.
April 21, 2019
I can't not pick up a children's book on nearly every visit to a book store. Sometimes it's due to nostalgia; Sometimes it's in appreciating the craft of picture books.
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books are a part of my childhood. That said, in trying to remember which ones I've read, I'll re-read them to see if I recognize them. I'm pretty sure I read this 35 years ago, but I read it again today and still thought it was great.
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books are a part of my childhood. That said, in trying to remember which ones I've read, I'll re-read them to see if I recognize them. I'm pretty sure I read this 35 years ago, but I read it again today and still thought it was great.
February 19, 2022
2022
Gift from Harper's grandmother
Gift from Harper's grandmother
October 29, 2015
It is a review of the digital version of the book: all by myself. I found this app in apple app store. When we appreciate apps or want to use as a children's literacy material, we should consider if it is a quality electronic text, or not. One of the important elements that makes good app is the quality of image. The appreciation of how well little critter can do all of the things that he can do by himself is only fully realized when text and image are considered together. We can see the importance of image here. The other technique used the app is pretty simple:not much interactive. When we touch the screen, the corresponding word come up. We can also record our own voice as a narrator. Overall, it is pretty simple, but well made.
September 5, 2019
Do you know how many times I’ve had to read this book???? My niece is obsessed. It’s super cute and somehow motivational for toddlers. And the pictures aren’t overwhelming but they have plenty to point to and giggle at. We have fun reading this for bedtime.
February 25, 2014
I like seeing the little critter's independence--but that he still needs his parents a little bit, too.
February 23, 2018
Lists every day things that little critter can do alone. But one thing that he cannot.
July 27, 2018
the humor is in the pictures, not the text. i wish there was more carry over
October 20, 2018
A good Little Critter book to read to toddlers and kindergartners who are on the verge of starting to do things for themselves.
December 4, 2018
I love this book. It is a fun story about a child doing things by himself. Simple illustrations.
March 31, 2020
Love these books.
May 31, 2026
Absolutely love this book. Has been a childhood favorite of mine because I have fond memories of my grandmother reading this book to me. The illustrations are cute and the author Mercer Mayer was smart about using words and phrases that makes every child wonder what will happen next. The little critter humorously asserts his independence by attempting various daily tasks without assistance. While he proudly declares his capability, the illustrators shoe his messy, chaotic efforts, creating a charming contrast between his confidence and reality. The story highlight's themes of growing up, the desire for autonomy and parental patience as little critters parents quietly clean up after his attempts at self-sufficiency.
Over the last weekend I read this book to my younger cousins and they loved it. They thought it was cute and funny but also relatable at such a young age. When I brought up the idea of reading aloud to them they all kind of laughed and thought I was making a big joke. However, this was serious and I needed them to understand this could affect my outcome of wanting to be a teacher. After I told them they needed to sit in a circle while I read to them, they are eventually all listened and quietly circled up and sat down looking at me. When I grabbed the book “All By Myself (Little Critter)” written by Mercer Mayer, the younger children where very excited when the older ones claimed they’ve forgotten this book even existed. I told them why I chose this book; which was because I grew up on this book and felt the children needed a reminder that they needed to start doing things by themselves. The book also is helpful because it shows no matter how hard you do try to be independent it’s okay to have your mom or dad tuck you in and give you a hug at night.
The author clearly has children because he knew the actual truths of what it's like of having a chaotic trail of mess throughout the house from trying to do daily activities.
Its funny to me as well that the book was written in 1983. Its clearly a timeless classic and has a core theme of early childhood development and the pursuit of autonomy. This book fosters self-esteem as well. Daily routines encourage children to feel confident in their own ability's. It also normalizes mistakes, the humorous depiction of spilled milk and messy rooms and teaches kids that failing on the first try is okay and its a natural part of learning.
Over the last weekend I read this book to my younger cousins and they loved it. They thought it was cute and funny but also relatable at such a young age. When I brought up the idea of reading aloud to them they all kind of laughed and thought I was making a big joke. However, this was serious and I needed them to understand this could affect my outcome of wanting to be a teacher. After I told them they needed to sit in a circle while I read to them, they are eventually all listened and quietly circled up and sat down looking at me. When I grabbed the book “All By Myself (Little Critter)” written by Mercer Mayer, the younger children where very excited when the older ones claimed they’ve forgotten this book even existed. I told them why I chose this book; which was because I grew up on this book and felt the children needed a reminder that they needed to start doing things by themselves. The book also is helpful because it shows no matter how hard you do try to be independent it’s okay to have your mom or dad tuck you in and give you a hug at night.
The author clearly has children because he knew the actual truths of what it's like of having a chaotic trail of mess throughout the house from trying to do daily activities.
Its funny to me as well that the book was written in 1983. Its clearly a timeless classic and has a core theme of early childhood development and the pursuit of autonomy. This book fosters self-esteem as well. Daily routines encourage children to feel confident in their own ability's. It also normalizes mistakes, the humorous depiction of spilled milk and messy rooms and teaches kids that failing on the first try is okay and its a natural part of learning.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews