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What! Cried Granny

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Patrick is having his first sleep-over at his grandmother's house. It's almost bedtime, but there's a problem-Patrick doesn't have a bed at Granny's. So Granny goes out to her yard, chops down some trees, and makes a comfy bed for Patrick. Now he can go to sleep. Right? Not yet. He doesn't have a pillow! So Granny dashes to the henhouse, collects some feathers, and sews a fluffy pillow for Patrick. Now he can go to sleep. Right? Not yet. A few other things are still missing . . . . If Patrick is lucky, this could go on all night!

"Children will snuggle down with smiles on their faces after this comic spin on the paraphernalia associated with a common ritual." ( Kirkus Reviews )

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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Kate Lum

18 books5 followers

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5 stars
344 (48%)
4 stars
241 (34%)
3 stars
93 (13%)
2 stars
20 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
Profile Image for Andrea.
Author 21 books294 followers
December 3, 2014
This (almost) bedtime story is adorable! I read it to my son for the first time tonight, and he started giggling through it. The illustrations are interactive and vivid, and the story is a snowball of comical events that parents and grandparents can definitely relate to. The story is just long enough to engage young readers and there is a very cute, timely ending to the story. I look forward to reading more books from this author to my children. Thank you, Kate! :)
Profile Image for Jasmine.
65 reviews
February 11, 2015
I gave this book a full five stars because of it's fun, upbeat, and predictable storyline that young children can easily follow. This book will keep children interested and can be read to children as young as 4 years old all the way up to about 6. In this book the Grandmother cries, "What!" Every time her grandson Patrick comes with another excuse why he can't go to bed. This book is especially good for Teachers looking for a book for circle time or large group time. This book is repetitive, easy to remember, and in sequential order. Children can follow this book step by step and fall in love with characters Granny and Patrick.
Profile Image for Susan Fernald.
1 review4 followers
August 24, 2015
My grandson LOVES this (almost) bedtime story and insists every time that I add the outlandish voices I have created for Patrick and Granny. The style of this book, in the way it hits a crescendo with all of Granny's busyness and then lands the listener softly when morning comes, is brilliant. It's the perfect ending for a snuggly bedtime story. The illustrations make it even funnier. Bravo to Kate Lum and Adrian Johnson! And thanks to my sister for sending me this book. She knew I'd love it.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,825 reviews71 followers
August 21, 2021
This book is hilarious! Granny is amazing and Patrick innocence is charming. I didn't like the illustrations when I first read the book but after looking at them, they fit the book. The illustrations are quirky and different. It most definitely should be read at bedtime and then, read it anytime!

Patrick is spending the night at his Granny's house for the very first time. It's getting dark so Patrick is asked to get ready for bed. But there is a problem. Remember, this is Patrick's first time staying over with his Granny, so he doesn't have a bed. Big problem? Nope! Granny runs out the door, chops down one of the tall trees growing in the yard, takes it to her workroom and creates Patrick a bed with her tools. Wowza! She did all that while carrying her purse on her arm. Granny now has blue paint splattered on her apron from painting the bed but with the red mattress on it, Patrick is ready!

But wait, Granny mentions a pillow and Patrick doesn't have one. WHAT? Yep, Granny to the rescue! Granny does have some chickens, some cloth, thread and a needle. A little later, Patrick has a pillow! Do you see how this book is set up? It's so comical. Granny is running around getting things ready so Patrick can go to sleep and Patrick, well he's playing with a variety of toys and watching TV., waiting for Granny. Now, that Patrick has a pillow, Granny tells Patrick to climb into his bed (has that now), lay his head on his pillow (got that now), pull the blanket up (WHAT, no blanket yet), AND ....... (off we go again)

This is a hoot! Granny is amazing, she can do almost anything! Patrick is so lucky to have her. I'm going to have to find a copy of this book. It's a keeper.
40 reviews
June 2, 2015
What! is a great book for a child who is starting to do sleep overs! Children can predict the sequence of events in the story due to the repetitive phrases. The story introduces social studies lessons of how things are made.
Profile Image for Margaret Burton.
57 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2016
Entertaining and keeps children involved. Age appropriate drawings/words. Good vocabulary. A lot of repetition with a simple concept.
Profile Image for John Yelverton.
4,457 reviews39 followers
May 15, 2018
It is a bit of a silly bedtime story in which the grandmother makes everything for her grandson in order for him to go to sleep by scratch.
55 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2018
Summary:
The young boy, Patrick, was having his very first sleepover at his grandma’s house. His grandma told him it would get dark soon, so he needed to start getting ready to go to bed, but Patrick told his grandma he did not have a bed at the house. So his grandma went out and made a bed for him, then he realized that he did not have a pillow there. His grandma went out and collected feathers to make a pillow. This process continued, because Patrick did not have anything as his grandma’s house and she kept going out and making everything for him. Eventually, Patrick had all the things he needed to go to bed, but then he couldn’t, because after all that time, it was now the morning.

Possible Lessons:
1. Be thankful for what you do have.
2. Respect your elders.
3. There is always time to be silly.
Profile Image for Anne.
5,207 reviews52 followers
October 12, 2020
Patrick is having his first sleepover at his granny's house. But there are some problems. Like, he doesn't have a bed. No problem. Granny is super resourceful. She goes out, chops down a tree and makes him a bed. He doesn't have a pillow. No problem, Granny is resourceful. But the list of things Patrick doesn't have at Granny's house is long, so you can imagine - what may happen at the end of the book - but it may surprise the little you are reading to the first time through.

A fun read with nice repetition to help with literacy skills and allow for "chorus" on the "WHAAAAT" lines.
40 reviews
September 28, 2017
This is a silly book that shows how the grandma wants to do everything for her grandchild and to make sure he has everything her needs to go to sleep! I think it would be fun to read to younger students, and examine each of the pictures. Students can easily see all of the items granny is building for her grandson.
Profile Image for Marissa Estrada.
49 reviews
October 13, 2017
This book is so silly! I love, love, love this book. Iit related children to their grandmothers and everything that that special person would do for them. It feels like it could be a heart felt moment for some children, as it was for me. Because regardless of any situation, those special people who really loves us are willing to step outside their boundaries just to satisfy us.
81 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2017
I enjoyed reading this again with my son. It is cute and funny with great illustrations. My son, age 5, was able to tell me what Patrick was going to say next in the first reading. It could spark good discussions on how things are made and the processes you have to follow.
51 reviews
October 8, 2017
This book was silly and fun to read. It's a good book to read before bed. I'd read it before nap time. It can also be read to make the connection between the relationship of a grandmother and grandchild.
Profile Image for Shantay Evans.
49 reviews
October 9, 2017
This book is repetitive and that makes it interesting for young children because they enjoy predicting whats going to happen. Unfortunately for me, it got old quickly. Still the book could be useful for teaching things like sequence or cause and effect. It could also be used to illustrate time.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
5,131 reviews64 followers
August 9, 2018
Perfection - the illustrations are awesome, the text is simple and straightforward, the Granny is hilarious, and the little grandson is just sneaky enough to be adorable, without being "bad" and setting a bad example for my preschoolers at story time. Highly recommended!!
114 reviews
October 4, 2017
A funny little tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it reminds us of the things grandmas are willing to do for their grand babies. The illustrations were vivid and engaging. I loved it.
1,257 reviews8 followers
April 3, 2018
This kids granny really wants him to go to sleep! She goes to extraordinary measures to make him the perfect place to sleep but once she's done it's morning time. Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lori Austerberry.
21 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2023
I have read this book to my grandson so many times. He loves it! It is an enjoyable read.
948 reviews
October 17, 2025
Read aloud in Winter Garden library. Great book, humor for adults, shows where regular sleep items come from and a fun bedtime stall story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews