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So Few of Me
"Just the message overscheduled families need in today's frantic world . . . delivered with humor and terrific artwork." — John de Graaf, national coordinator, Take Back Your Time
Leo's list of things to do keeps growing, until one day he wishes, "If only there were two of me." Just as the words are out of his mouth, poof! Another Leo appears! Two Leos become three, three become four, and four become more . . . but Leo can't help but notice that he has even more to do than before. As he struggles to deal with his overcomplicated life, Leo realizes that there may be a simpler solution to his overscheduling woes. Peter H. Reynolds, the award-winning author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish, returns with an important message for readers of all ages: stop and take a little time to dream.
Leo's list of things to do keeps growing, until one day he wishes, "If only there were two of me." Just as the words are out of his mouth, poof! Another Leo appears! Two Leos become three, three become four, and four become more . . . but Leo can't help but notice that he has even more to do than before. As he struggles to deal with his overcomplicated life, Leo realizes that there may be a simpler solution to his overscheduling woes. Peter H. Reynolds, the award-winning author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish, returns with an important message for readers of all ages: stop and take a little time to dream.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Peter H. Reynolds
210 books948 followersPeter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
November 5, 2018
So many books to read, so little time!
Such imagination! Time to gang up with another versions of you to complete the long to-do-list.
Cute and humorous.
Such imagination! Time to gang up with another versions of you to complete the long to-do-list.
Cute and humorous.
November 18, 2012
I love this author-illustrator and I loved this book.
It works on so many levels. It’s a philosophy book, a counting book, and a really funny story.
I love that on the inside back cover the author talks about how he took a time management seminar and how it helped him get scheduled, overly scheduled and organized, so that he had no “downtime – and that’s where some of the best of life comes from.”
I love how on the end papers it shows Leo lying on the ground daydreaming and on the front end papers it has a very, very long to do list.
The story is so funny and whimsical, as Leo find he needs more and more selves to get everything done, and how it helps, and then doesn’t help.
The illustrations are fabulous. I love them so much. Note: There is an orange cat. But all the pictures of everybody and everything are wonderful. I really appreciated the details and expressiveness in each drawing. I love this illustrator’s work.
This book was a huge winner for me.
It would make a great gift for anyone of any age who is overly scheduled and/or organized; it’s a great reminded to pause and take time “to dream” and relax. Highly recommended for those who enjoy humorous books! It’s a really interesting 1-10 counting book for those who would get something from that. It would make a great baby or child gift for anyone named Leo. Anyone who’s enjoyed Ish and/or The Dot (I gave both 5 stars!) by Peter H. Reynolds is likely to also enjoy this book. I’ll definitely be on the look out for more books by Reynolds. I guess the only demographic I can see this wouldn’t be for (according to their adults) would be teens and older children who aren’t fulfilling their responsibilities and already do too much daydreaming, once again according to their adults, but I think it’s even for those kids.
It works on so many levels. It’s a philosophy book, a counting book, and a really funny story.
I love that on the inside back cover the author talks about how he took a time management seminar and how it helped him get scheduled, overly scheduled and organized, so that he had no “downtime – and that’s where some of the best of life comes from.”
I love how on the end papers it shows Leo lying on the ground daydreaming and on the front end papers it has a very, very long to do list.
The story is so funny and whimsical, as Leo find he needs more and more selves to get everything done, and how it helps, and then doesn’t help.
The illustrations are fabulous. I love them so much. Note: There is an orange cat. But all the pictures of everybody and everything are wonderful. I really appreciated the details and expressiveness in each drawing. I love this illustrator’s work.
This book was a huge winner for me.
It would make a great gift for anyone of any age who is overly scheduled and/or organized; it’s a great reminded to pause and take time “to dream” and relax. Highly recommended for those who enjoy humorous books! It’s a really interesting 1-10 counting book for those who would get something from that. It would make a great baby or child gift for anyone named Leo. Anyone who’s enjoyed Ish and/or The Dot (I gave both 5 stars!) by Peter H. Reynolds is likely to also enjoy this book. I’ll definitely be on the look out for more books by Reynolds. I guess the only demographic I can see this wouldn’t be for (according to their adults) would be teens and older children who aren’t fulfilling their responsibilities and already do too much daydreaming, once again according to their adults, but I think it’s even for those kids.
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October 22, 2014
SO FEW OF ME
is a picture book written more for adults, which is one thing Peter Reynolds is SO good at. Through the character of Leo, it becomes very clear that no matter how hard we try, we will always have a list of things to do that never seem to get done. The solution? Slow down and take time to dream. In other words "Stop and smell the roses!"
May 29, 2019
Leo wondered, “What if I did less —but did my BEST?”
December 18, 2008
why ever do people have so many things to do?
July 13, 2019
Leo has too much to do so is relieved when some duplicates of himself show up. This one was for me—I think adults will appreciate this more than kids, although my four-year-old was amused by the nine duplicates of Leo and enjoyed counting.
February 3, 2018
OK. What would really happen if you duplicated yourself to get all your tasks done?
Hmmm. Food for thought.
Hmmm. Food for thought.
October 21, 2020
Such a powerful read with an important message. I was struck by the line: "What if I did less- but did my BEST?"
June 13, 2023
Another book that kids will love and parents will learn from.
June 12, 2024
Leo wondered,
"What if I did less -
but did my BEST?"
"What if I did less -
but did my BEST?"
October 13, 2024
A wonderful reminder to slow down and dream and not be totally consumed by all the things you have to do.
March 4, 2017
"What if I did less... but did my best?"
February 24, 2013
I like the premise of this story and the illustrations are lovely, but I thought that it could have been more clever and more different. Why does Leo have so many things to do? These things could be more interesting and inventive...
February 6, 2017
I really like it as an adult! When I forgot to "do less but better", I read it again.
July 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book! It has exceptional, important themes that are relevant even to adults. I do not feel that it is entirely appropriate for children just because the character in the book is portrayed almost as a mother or caretaker. Realistically, children reading this might not feel it relevant, however, I feel it is a great reminder to take things one at a time and not rush. It mentions in the end that as long as Leo did his best, everything would be okay. It also mentions that with less to do, all being done with the best effort, allows for time to dream. This book sends a message to young children-and even adults if they are reading it to children- that one person can only do so much and it is important to realize that nobody is perfect. As long as we are doing our best.
The writing and images I feel were simple and straight to the point; each page initiates interest in what the next page holds. I enjoyed It because I can relate to it, but I do not feel all children will enjoy this book, however, I feel it is important to have in the classroom for those students who may not have the most supportive environments at home and may be struggling with their work.
The writing and images I feel were simple and straight to the point; each page initiates interest in what the next page holds. I enjoyed It because I can relate to it, but I do not feel all children will enjoy this book, however, I feel it is important to have in the classroom for those students who may not have the most supportive environments at home and may be struggling with their work.
June 20, 2019
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Like there is far too much to do and not enough hours in the day? Leo is busy. His "to do" list (see the end papers) is jam packed with all kinds of tasks--some chores, some self-help-oriented, some repeated--and all building up to a huge weight on his shoulders until he wishes there were more of himself. His wish comes true, but instead of getting more done, it seems that more of himself makes for more work.
Warning. The following is my brainstorm of possible activities with this book--it is in no particular order and, in theory, I will come back and revisit this after trying some of the ideas out. Make copies of Leo's list and have groups sort them into categories of their own choosing. Come together and discuss what broad categories Leo's list includes and how it might be better organized. General discussion about feeling overwhelmed when faced with a difficult task and using this story as a diving board to brainstorming ways to cope. Tie in with growth mindset.
Warning. The following is my brainstorm of possible activities with this book--it is in no particular order and, in theory, I will come back and revisit this after trying some of the ideas out. Make copies of Leo's list and have groups sort them into categories of their own choosing. Come together and discuss what broad categories Leo's list includes and how it might be better organized. General discussion about feeling overwhelmed when faced with a difficult task and using this story as a diving board to brainstorming ways to cope. Tie in with growth mindset.
October 12, 2020
Summary:
A little boy struggles to complete his to-do list alone, so he duplicates himself to get everything done. This creates a new problem though - the more of him there are, the more there is to do. This book is a little too close to home as we read about the boy's inability to get everything done. He finds himself exhausted and stretched thin, and having more of himself doesn't help.
Review:
I thought this story was really cute. It was very relatable to me in this busy part of life. It's a reminder that you can't do it all, so don't wear yourself out trying. It was very simple and would be good for lower elementary students. I would have liked for it to be a little more complex, but for what it was, I very much enjoyed it and loved Mr. Reynolds' illustrations (as always).
Uses for This Book:
This would be good to have as part of my library and to use as a read-aloud break, silent read, book pass, and more. I can use it with students who are overwhelmed and/or wearing themselves out trying to be everywhere at once.
A little boy struggles to complete his to-do list alone, so he duplicates himself to get everything done. This creates a new problem though - the more of him there are, the more there is to do. This book is a little too close to home as we read about the boy's inability to get everything done. He finds himself exhausted and stretched thin, and having more of himself doesn't help.
Review:
I thought this story was really cute. It was very relatable to me in this busy part of life. It's a reminder that you can't do it all, so don't wear yourself out trying. It was very simple and would be good for lower elementary students. I would have liked for it to be a little more complex, but for what it was, I very much enjoyed it and loved Mr. Reynolds' illustrations (as always).
Uses for This Book:
This would be good to have as part of my library and to use as a read-aloud break, silent read, book pass, and more. I can use it with students who are overwhelmed and/or wearing themselves out trying to be everywhere at once.
September 29, 2022
A young man multiples himself in order to get more work done.
Leo has such a long to-do list that he wishes there were two of him, and a second Leo magically appears. But two Leos aren’t enough to get everything done, so they get another Leo and another and another until there are 10 Leos.
The original Leo decides to stop overworking and take a nap. When he wakes up, he is confronted by the other Leos, but he had reached the conclusion that there is more to life than work.
The other Leos vanish, and he decides "to do less but [his] best."
This story is a commentary on the American culture of overwork and the need to strike a balance between doing work and enjoying life.
Leo has such a long to-do list that he wishes there were two of him, and a second Leo magically appears. But two Leos aren’t enough to get everything done, so they get another Leo and another and another until there are 10 Leos.
The original Leo decides to stop overworking and take a nap. When he wakes up, he is confronted by the other Leos, but he had reached the conclusion that there is more to life than work.
The other Leos vanish, and he decides "to do less but [his] best."
This story is a commentary on the American culture of overwork and the need to strike a balance between doing work and enjoying life.
October 31, 2017
So Few of Me is a story that teaches us that sometimes quality is better than quantity.
I think this was a book that would be cute for lower grade levels and it could be a great way to teach them moral lessons. When looking for a Ebook I saw this one and was instantly drawn in because of the artwork (ish), and to be honest I was a little disappointed. The story wasn’t all that appealing and I feel like it could’ve done so much more, but I am a 24 year old reading a book made for 6-9 year olds.
I think this was a book that would be cute for lower grade levels and it could be a great way to teach them moral lessons. When looking for a Ebook I saw this one and was instantly drawn in because of the artwork (ish), and to be honest I was a little disappointed. The story wasn’t all that appealing and I feel like it could’ve done so much more, but I am a 24 year old reading a book made for 6-9 year olds.
December 6, 2019
Leo has so much to do! Could he do it all with more "hims"?
I like the overall message, but I would have liked him getting (or giving) a little help from some one not himself and that lightening his load.
No content issues.
November 24, 2020
Ummm I feel attacked! I’m constantly burdened by my to do list and feeling like I should be getting more done. It feels like Reynolds wrote this book for me lol. That being said, I’m not sure how much a younger audience will relate.
“What if I do LESS but do my BEST?”
“What if I do LESS but do my BEST?”
October 31, 2022
This book describes how I often feel! If I just had more of me what would I be able to accomplish? I think this book is witty and has a great message about not taking on more than you can handle at once and focusing on doing your best with those few tasks.
May 4, 2017
O zaman bana da bir Serra yeter ;)
Nokta ve Mış gibi Buse'nin kitaplığında en sevdiğim kitaplar aradında . Peter R. Reynolds okumayı kızımdan daha çok seviyorum .
Nokta ve Mış gibi Buse'nin kitaplığında en sevdiğim kitaplar aradında . Peter R. Reynolds okumayı kızımdan daha çok seviyorum .
March 4, 2019
bayıldım! adeta çocuklar için anti-okb kitabı
October 7, 2020
❤️ Time to dream
March 13, 2021
4 stars- have had these days!
March 18, 2021
good story to show you don't have to do everything - self care
June 28, 2021
Un libro ... sognatore
November 5, 2021
The perfect book for us busy people! A fun reminder that the to do list will never end, to take time to nap, dream, and be happy.
December 20, 2021
If it ever feels like there's just too much to do, and you can't do it all - maybe reading this book will help you scale down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews