What Have You Done, Davy?

by Brigitte Weninger, Eve Tharlet (illustrator)

Danny, an energetic and clever little bunny, finds himself in trouble when, in one disaster after another, he breaks his sister's toys and crashes into his brother's playhouse. When Davy realizes that sometimes saying you're sorry isn't enough, he uses his energy and cleverness to make amends and win back his family's affection. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book found in the responsibility section of my school's pillars of character reading list. The titular character keeps making careless mistakes, but doesn't stay to say sorry or help fix what he destroyed. After the family gets mad at him, he is forced to help fix the disasters and ends up learning that mistakes are okay, but you have to fix them and make them up to others. Although, his siblings need to learn a lesson about threats and violence, but that isn't addressed. Art is pretty and compliments story well.

[Krisz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read so many children's books these days - this one was delightful. Nice, clear sentences, easy to understand, yet with a real, valid, good message.
The illustrations are a hit both with parents and kids. My 3-yr-old loves it, she reads it to herself :)

[Denise Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender, sad, happy. Goodness wins. Sweet little book.

[Ashli Stroyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a single story that transports many messages. This is a great book for teaching children the importance of self-control, respect, and mending their mistakes. Davy is a bunny who accidentally breaks his sister’s toys, wrecks his brother’s fort, ruins his other brother’s secret burrow and eats all the blueberries that mother had picked for a special treat. For the rest of the day Davy spends his time fixing his siblings’ toys, burrows and forts as well as helping mother pick blueberries. By the end of the story Davy learns what it means to take responsibility for his actions, and sets a good example for the children reading the story. At times throughout the story I found myself feeling bad for Davy when his siblings told their mother how naughty Davy had been even though he didn’t’ do anything on purpose, besides eating all the blueberries which was due to lack of self-control. This would be a great story for any child, but specifically for those children who are finding themselves getting into mischief. Parents and teachers could use this book as a teaching tool for teaching children the importance of having self-control, and taking responsibilities for their actions. Very cute book, and I strongly recommend it!

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, I should mention that this is a very lengthy book. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when you could tell the story in half the words, it kinda is. The book drags on and on.

I agree that children should help fix the messes they create - even when it's by accident. However, I'm concerned that none of the other children in this book are ever called on about *their* behaviour - they continually threaten Davy with violence and yell at him for accidental mistakes - including once accidentally jumping a burrow he could not possibly have known was there. And then they suggest breaking all his toys, keeping him inside the house forever, and pulling his ears.

As well, the book draws no distinction between problems caused by Davy's clumsiness - accidentally crashing into his brother's fort - and problems caused by his carelessness - eating the family's lunch by himself.

Frankly, if those were my siblings, I wouldn't want their forgiveness. Their attitudes are very unpleasant - no wonder Davy keeps getting into trouble when he's running scared from one family member or another!

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those children books that I kept. I re-read it over and over and over!

[Bridget]

Have the audio version