Back-to-School Rules

by Laurie B. Friedman, Teresa Murfin (Illustrator)

School's in session! When it comes to surviving school, Percy's at the head of the class. If you can follow his ten simple rules, making the grade will be a piece of cake (and school will be a lot of fun). But there's more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class. If you have any doubts, Percy also shows exactly what not to do. No crazy scheming! See what other trouble―and tips―Percy has in mind!

Genres: Picture Books, School, Back To School, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Laurie Friedman is the author and ghostwriter of over 300 award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the bestselling Mallory McDonald series, the Moose the Dog easy reader series, the Camp Creepy Lake and Wendy & Willow chapter books, and many picture books including Cows in the House and the Ruby Valentine books.

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars/Fiction; Juvenile

Percy might be a fun loving guy, but his back-to-school rules are a major downer for a first day at school. I liked the idea of this book, but the rules were all about 'do not' do this and 'do not' do that.

I liked the colorful illustrations and the way the type was presented. I think as far as text is concerned, presenting them this way makes the best sense. Fun, eye appealing and lighthearted. However, as a girly girl, I am seriously going to fight the whole 'no glitter in your hair' thing.

[Gwnhwyfer · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I understand the logic behind this book (telling kids what isn't appropriate so they're well prepared for the first day of school), I didn't care for the constant "No"s and "Don't"s. And really, could they have chosen a worse name for their protagonist, whose initials boil down to "P.I.G."...?

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the quirky illustrations -- it looks like a fun school day! But the text, oh the text. Page after page of no, no and no. The rules are negative - don't do this, don't do that. Instead of being endearing or silly, it feels heavy and sad. Not the feeling I want to share with students at the start of school!

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the whimsical illustrations and humor in this book about school rules, but it bugged me that the rules were a list of don'ts. Most teachers I know prefer to present classroom rules in more positive ways.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like that Percy Isaac Gifford's rules all contain "DO NOT." I always avoid negative rules. "Don't be late" can be changed to "Arrive on time."

[jennyreadit · Rating 1 out of 5]

DON"T read this book on the first day of school. This book is just a list of "don'ts" How about what you can do? If I were to read this to kids on the first day of school, I would be shocked if they came back the next day. For example the first rule is "Do NOT show up late, you will be marked tardy, teachers do not like to wait." Another is "Don't contradict your teacher, you will not win her vote."
All the rules seem to be about staying quiet, still and being perfect in order to please the teacher. All the teachers I work with want kids to be creative, imaginative and talk! The ironic thing about all these rules, not to mention the list of 12 things (on one page) you should "never do in school, the last thing is to "have fun." HA! I am not putting this on my "back to school shelf" because I will never read this book to kids.

[Elegant Elbow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, I hated this book so much.

It's meant to be a helpful guide to how to behave at school, but it so condescending and negative. Every rule starts with a "don't". Because kids just *love* to be told what not to do.

Actually, it's really worth knowing that this absolutely does not work with kids. Telling kids what *to* do, instead of what *not* to do is way more effective.

Also, the advice that, if you're late, don't blame your parents, is just ridiculous. If a first grader is late, it probably is because of the parents. What was the first grader supposed to do? Drive themselves?

Finally, at the very end of the book, it exhorts the readers to have fun. But it's too late. We're already weighed down with the heavy weights of "don't, don't, don't".

If I had a physical copy of this book, I would burn it.

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed and laughed when reading Back-To-School Rules. As we moms, and probably teachers as well, know, while 'do this and do that' or 'we expect this and we expect that' rules are important and all too common, it's also important to know what NOT to do, especially for the K-3 age group who may simply not know how NOT to behave.

With its exaggerated illustrations and specific rules of manners, Back-To-School Rules is fun and engaging, and will be a great help for the kiddo's to remember what not to do.

I wish it were more readily available to buy because my credit card was out and my fingers itchy to order for my back-to-school grands! !

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the rules in this book are short and "sayings" for lack of a better word; for example, Rule #2: An apple a day does not keep the teacher away. Then in nice rhyming text, the rule is explained to the reader. It covers a lot of rules in a short book and would be a great book to use when you are talking about rules and how one rule that is positive covers a lot of rules that are negative. My favorite rule and the one that I use the most often is rule #10.

[Kristin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: "Back-To-School Rules" is a book about a little boy named Percy Isaac Gifford. When it is time to go back to school, Percy has a list of rules for what not to do in school.

Evaluation: I rated this book a 3. Even though this book is a funny way to introduce rules and procedures in a classroom, I did not care for the "no's" and "don'ts" that were throughout the book.

Teaching Idea: This book could be used in school to teach classroom rules and procedures.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read. I fell in love with this book and will be adding to my collection. Perfect read for the first day of school with your students.

The illustrations go along with the story perfectly!! Love this book!

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are delightful but the text is full of "don't's." These could have been rephrased for a more positive approach to the first days of school. I do understand the humor underlying the whole story but am not sure younger readers will.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun premise, but poor meter and forced rhyming. Would have been stronger if written in prose.

[Ilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for small children going to school for the first time but not going to be my first choice

[Liz Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whomp whomp…. A list of don’ts.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Follow the rules in a rhyming fun way

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book rhymes and goes over a lot of the basic No Nos of school

[Julie A]

Geat for the first week of school as the story gives ideas that give students ideas of classroom rules and how to build them. The light-hearted story includes Percey who has learned what to do and what not to do and passes along this information to others in his rule book.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman and illustrated by Teresa Murfin is a picture book ready for release on September 28 2011. Colorful illustrations and rhyming rules of how not to behave at school are the point of Percy's prose as he explains his ten simple rules to avoiding trouble in school. Let me start right away with the issue some might have with Back-to-School Rules. The rules are all told in negatives, all no's and don'ts. Many people are of the school of thought that these types of rules are not appropriate, however out in the real world people will slip and use these types of rules rather than simply the positive rules of behavior. It is not necessarily a bad thing to show a child that different people might do things in different ways, including how to set the rules. If you can get past that and let yourself enjoy the cheerful illustrations, humorous situations and rhyming rules then you will be entertained and the children in the room might learn something. The narrator does not forget to remind readers that they can still have plenty of fun at school, despite all the no's he has listed. I think that Back-to-School Rules would make great reading for children beginning school, or going back to school, that are nervous about the prospect. It would also be good for reading aloud in a classroom setting during the first week of school to help students understand what is, and is not, acceptable behavior.

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my 4 year old grandson. He is autistic so he has been attending school for about 2 years. As returning to school is coming up I thought this would be an awesome pick to get ready. I was not disappointed. We loved the book. Percy is off to school and has some rules to share. There are 10 simple rules of what Not to do. Yes they are told from a negative point which may put some people off. I myself prefer to give positive rules of behavior. Not everyone does though. So we all have to deal with both types of rules in daily life. The text was told in rhyme and the rules, though negative, were fun. The illustrations were delightful. My 4 year old understood every one of them. He was not put off by the No's and Don'ts. They were all rules he knew and he was comfortable with them. Rules were presented in a fun way and were understood; which is exactly what I think the author set out to do.
My grandson's review: "I like the pictures. My favorite were the kids hanging from the ceiling and flying through the air. The rules are important. But they forgot one. The most important one. You don't hit the teacher. No smacking her butt or kicking. They really don't like that. I know all about that. I really like this book. I need to read it every night so I am ready for school.I think teacher's should read it on the first day."

[KP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for the child that is just about to enter school, and just in time for school to start with a release date of September 1, 2011, Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman is an adorable read. While most back-to-school books focus on what to do, this children’s picture book takes the opposite approach and teaches children what not to do. The main character, Percy Isaac Gifford, is more than happy to share his wisdom with your children, which he imparts by giving ten simple things every child should know not to do when they go to school. Told in a rhyming fashion, this story is perfect for 4-8 year olds. Younger children will delight in it as they are just getting ready to begin school. Older children will get a kick out of reading the book themselves, Percy, and how he explains things. This is a book that is relatable and enjoyable for both children and adults alike. Illustrated by Teresa Murfin, Back-to-School Rules has soft and colorful pictures that illustrate Percy’s rules and the story perfectly. Published by Carolrhoda Books, Back-to-School Rules would make a great gift for that child just starting school for the first time, or for those going back. I give this book 4 out of 5 books.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun illustrations, many rules throughout the books for kids to follow when going to school for the first time or for those returning to school and may need a gentle reminder of what is appropriate behavior at school. This book is appropriate to read out loud to grade school classes, maybe grades K-2nd or possibly 3rd as they might enjoy some of the illustrations and connect to the rules of what is appropriate and what isn't.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Percy Isaac Gifford is off to school and provides rules of etiquette so that readers will know exactly what to do. In rhyming text, he gives helpful hints about how to act and how not to act such as "No hanging from the ceiling." Teachers might want to share this title with their students on the first day of school as a gentle, amusing reminder of behavioral expectations. It's possible to have fun while also behaving properly, the last page reminds us. I loved the expressions on the teacher in the various illustrations which are sometimes rendered in panels and sometimes cover the entire page.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Back to School Rules" is a how to told from the point of view of Percy Issac Gifford. He's an A+ student and in this how to he's giving you all his best rules and tips to help you be an A+ student too!

I thought this book was super cute. It probably should not be the very first book you read to your students, seeing how it's a whole long list of don't do this, no doing this, don't, no, ... But this could be a great book to start some discussion about class rules and how to behave, and the end is cute and provides a positive end to the story.

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think kids would enjoy this book but I just thought it was okay. This is a rhyming book but I often found myself rereading a page trying to get the rhythm down so it sounded correct. I think if you were doing this as a read aloud you would have to read it a couple of times first to figure out the rhythm. The illustrations are cute but do not stand out as being memorable after closing the book. This book goes through all of the things that you should NOT do in school. Kids who feel that there are too many rules at school would relate to this book.

[Drew]

•Brief summary
It time to go back to school and the most important thing to know it not what to do. This book goes into all the rule of school and what you shouldn't do.

•Audience
Younger classroom like k-2nd

•Appeal
Funny way to put boring rules.

•Implementation
I would use this book on the first day of school to help with going over the rules in a more exciting way.

Friedman, L. B., & Murfin, T. (2011). Back-to-school rules. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

[Zara Younus]

Reading this book made me so happy, because it includes all the rules the teacher would want to implement in the classroom. The perfect book to read when students are creating classroom rules. The illustrations are funny and the style of the book makes reading it just as fun! The rules are explained so that there is no confusion. Perfect for all ages!

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colorful and lively, artwork compliments text which is reminiscent of K. Applegate's Roscoe Riley series. Younger readers may need to be debriefed with a dictionary (fret, contradict), but a welcome title for back to school and exploring rules.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining read aloud for back to school.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute. It had some really good, pertinent rules for school. As well as the obligatory silly rules that kids will think are funny.