But Why Can't I?

Our Emotions And Behaviour

by Sue Graves, Desideria Guicciardini (Illustrator)

Children sometimes find it hard to follow rules. This encouraging book joins Noah and his babysitter, Jenny, who shows him how rules help keep people safe, healthy, and happy. 

Our Emotions and Behavior series
The Our Emotions and Behavior series uses cheerful brightly illustrated stories to help kids understand how their emotions and actions are related—and how they can learn to manage both. At the end of each book, a two-page series of pictures invites kids to tell a story in their own words. A special section for adults suggests discussion questions and ideas for guiding children to talk about their feelings.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Self Help

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 4 and up. The story of a sister and a brother who tries to rebel against every rule the babysitter sets: crossing the street safely, taking turns, bed time. The babysitter ultimately explains to him that adults have to follow rules, too, using her job as an example. A universal childhood lesson whose protagonists are children of color.

[Abby Peskin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story focuses more on the child's complaining than anything.

[Maritina Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon

[Mymcbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

But Why Can’t I? When Jenny came over to babysit Noah and his baby sister Rosie they were given a set of rules by Noah’s mom. They had to be in bed at 7 o’clock and listen to Jenny. They had to follow the rules. But Noah didn’t want to follow the rules because it thinks rules are silly. He refused to look both side of the crossway when crossing the road to the park, he wouldn’t take turns playing a board game and when it was time to go to bed he wanted to stay up late. “But why can’t I? Jenny explained that adults follow rules too. And that rules are important to follow to help keep people safe and healthy. Jenny also went on to explain why she had to follow rules at her job (my thought: That example wasn’t relevant to a child as young as Noah as he is too young to know about the rules Jenny had to follow at her job).

We know how hard it is for children to follow rules. But this book shows the important about talking to their children about why rules need to be followed. A great example was given at the last two pages of a picture story about a girl Emma dropping her can of drink on the path and a boy tripping over it and fell. What did Emma do? I highly recommend this book for parents and classroom teaching.

In my opinion, "Our Emotions and Behavior" series are a good choice for parents to use with their children because of the positive message they bring! I highly recommend this book for parents and classroom teaching.

The illustrations are simple and show each of the character feels and emotions about what is happening in each story.

Ages: 4 – 8
Pages: 32


FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from free spirit publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children sometimes find it hard to follow rules. This encouraging book joins Noah and his babysitter, Jenny, who shows him how rules help keep people safe, healthy, and happy. But Why Can't I? is part of the Our Emotions and Behavior series.

[Elizabeth]

I'll have to try to remember this one when the Pre-K teachers come in looking for books about "following the rules."

Lessons learned:
1) You can lose your job if you don't follow the rules.
2) You can injure roller bladers if you don't recycle.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gredes Pre-K to 1. Why do we have rules? Read and find out. Part of a series on emotions and behavior.

[Matina Politi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Εύστοχο & κατανοητό. Ωραία εικονογράφηση & απλό λεξιλόγιο.