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How to Negotiate Everything
There’ll be no more hearing “no” after this clever picture book teaches you how to get everything you want.
Have you ever wanted something and been told “No”? Then this is the book for you. Through several simple steps, you will learn the best way to ask for what you want, how to ask for more of what you want, and the importance of not overreaching. With helpful illustrations and a complete glossary, there is no end to what these skills can get you.
Straight out of the pages of the New York Times bestselling Trail of the Spellmans, authors David Spellman and Lisa Lutz and illustrator Jaime Temairik show you that it is possible to negotiate for everything. Even an elephant!
Have you ever wanted something and been told “No”? Then this is the book for you. Through several simple steps, you will learn the best way to ask for what you want, how to ask for more of what you want, and the importance of not overreaching. With helpful illustrations and a complete glossary, there is no end to what these skills can get you.
Straight out of the pages of the New York Times bestselling Trail of the Spellmans, authors David Spellman and Lisa Lutz and illustrator Jaime Temairik show you that it is possible to negotiate for everything. Even an elephant!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Lutz
27 books3,974 followersLisa Lutz is the New York Times bestselling author of the six books in the Spellman series, How to Start a Fire, Heads you Lose (with David Hayward), and the children's book, How to Negotiate Everything (illustrated by Jaime Temairik). Her latest book, The Passenger, a psychological thriller, will be published March 2016 by Simon and Schuster. Lutz has won the Alex award and has been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 18, 2013
I love Lisa Lutz’s Spellman books; I enjoyed Heads You Lose and all the Spellman books are among my favorite books, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment, coming out next month.
I knew about this picture book well in advance and, knowing its place in the Spellman books, thought the idea was inspired.
However, I’m disappointed.
First of all, I guess I was expecting a parody or something geared to adults, not a book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, although perhaps I should have had a better sense of what this book would be.
I just didn’t find it that humorous. In my opinion, the most amusing parts were the authors/illustrators bios on the inside back cover and the book’s dedications by the creators. Now, those were funny!
Now for the book proper, but first I have to disclose that I’m not reading that much these days and, as with all books, my mood at the time of reading might have impacted my opinion of this book. (I’ll bet anything though that I’ll love the next Spellman family book and find it as hilarious as I found the previous books.)
Is it my take (perhaps) or does this book take itself too seriously. If it does, it’s too didactic for my taste. It probably does though. But the humor and the execution just aren’t as brilliant or as funny as I was expecting.
Some kids might enjoy it, and might try to use the tactics on those in charge, parents and other. Some of the “advice” is actually excellent, but nothing that couldn’t be communicated without this book. Some adults might like it because it addresses getting what you want as an adult too, which makes me think this is the tongue in cheek book I’d been expecting.
And a note to vegan parents: in this book, pets are purchased from the pet shop and zoo visits are a wished for thing by the kid.
So, while I wish I owned every Spellman book, I’m glad this was a library book.
The illustrations aren’t in a style that appeals to my aesthetic taste, but they perfectly fit the story, so I like them.
I’m going to be eagerly seeing how other readers (of all ages) take to this one.
I’m confused. (Lisa Lutz and fellow readers, please don’t scream at me.)
2 ½ stars
I knew about this picture book well in advance and, knowing its place in the Spellman books, thought the idea was inspired.
However, I’m disappointed.
First of all, I guess I was expecting a parody or something geared to adults, not a book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, although perhaps I should have had a better sense of what this book would be.
I just didn’t find it that humorous. In my opinion, the most amusing parts were the authors/illustrators bios on the inside back cover and the book’s dedications by the creators. Now, those were funny!
Now for the book proper, but first I have to disclose that I’m not reading that much these days and, as with all books, my mood at the time of reading might have impacted my opinion of this book. (I’ll bet anything though that I’ll love the next Spellman family book and find it as hilarious as I found the previous books.)
Is it my take (perhaps) or does this book take itself too seriously. If it does, it’s too didactic for my taste. It probably does though. But the humor and the execution just aren’t as brilliant or as funny as I was expecting.
Some kids might enjoy it, and might try to use the tactics on those in charge, parents and other. Some of the “advice” is actually excellent, but nothing that couldn’t be communicated without this book. Some adults might like it because it addresses getting what you want as an adult too, which makes me think this is the tongue in cheek book I’d been expecting.
And a note to vegan parents: in this book, pets are purchased from the pet shop and zoo visits are a wished for thing by the kid.
So, while I wish I owned every Spellman book, I’m glad this was a library book.
The illustrations aren’t in a style that appeals to my aesthetic taste, but they perfectly fit the story, so I like them.
I’m going to be eagerly seeing how other readers (of all ages) take to this one.
I’m confused. (Lisa Lutz and fellow readers, please don’t scream at me.)
2 ½ stars
June 3, 2013
I like this book but I'm having trouble seeing it as a children's book. I don't have any children to read this, so I'd like to know what children think of it. On the one hand it seems to me, children would like the idea of a child wanting an elephant. They might also like the idea of getting dessert even if they don't eat their broccoli. On the other hand I don't think the concept of negotiating for something really fits within the 32 pages of this book. Add to that the additional idea of setting a goal and working for it and this goes from being a book for children to being a book for adults.
The 'picture' part of “How to Negotiate Everything” is great. I especially like the turtle being walked on a leash. I think children will love the illustrations. This book is cute, sometimes it's funny. However, even the illustrations lead me to the conclusion that this is really a book for adults. The child is dressed as a business person; there is a bag of golf clubs in his room and a coat rack with umbrellas in it.
For me, "How to Negotiate Everything" rather than being a picture book for children, is actually another book in Lisa Lutz's "Spellman Files" series. The co-author of the book is David Spellman, who is actually a character in the books. If you haven't read any of the "Spellman" books, your missing some very funny books.
In the end I think this would make a great graduation gift, along the lines of “Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. The graduate should have an awareness of and the ability to negotiate in order to do well. Most employees don't really know how to negotiate. When asking for a raise or promotion or even when applying for a job, they may know how and when to ask, but they should know how to strengthen their case through negotiation. Beyond that this book concludes offers a lesson in goal setting. The graduate should be prepared to set goals, plan, work hard, keep your eye on your goal, and be patient.
The 'picture' part of “How to Negotiate Everything” is great. I especially like the turtle being walked on a leash. I think children will love the illustrations. This book is cute, sometimes it's funny. However, even the illustrations lead me to the conclusion that this is really a book for adults. The child is dressed as a business person; there is a bag of golf clubs in his room and a coat rack with umbrellas in it.
For me, "How to Negotiate Everything" rather than being a picture book for children, is actually another book in Lisa Lutz's "Spellman Files" series. The co-author of the book is David Spellman, who is actually a character in the books. If you haven't read any of the "Spellman" books, your missing some very funny books.
In the end I think this would make a great graduation gift, along the lines of “Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. The graduate should have an awareness of and the ability to negotiate in order to do well. Most employees don't really know how to negotiate. When asking for a raise or promotion or even when applying for a job, they may know how and when to ask, but they should know how to strengthen their case through negotiation. Beyond that this book concludes offers a lesson in goal setting. The graduate should be prepared to set goals, plan, work hard, keep your eye on your goal, and be patient.
June 22, 2013
This book is for children who are 6 going on 30. While I appreciate some of the definitions of words and the education in the fine art of negotiating, the undertone is that you can manipulate people. Mom's face is never shown, the back of her head is shown twice. Mom is called "a mark" and thus separated from personhood as an object.
I do appreciate that mom is shown doing several different activities, one of those being working under the car. I also appreciate that the book tells kids which things are not work negotiating.
Maybe if I try to enjoy this as a tongue in cheek story I'll appreciate it better.
I do appreciate that mom is shown doing several different activities, one of those being working under the car. I also appreciate that the book tells kids which things are not work negotiating.
Maybe if I try to enjoy this as a tongue in cheek story I'll appreciate it better.
June 10, 2013
Fun and Irreverent how to negotiate from a child's point of view. I love Lutz's biting wit and it translates well in this quirky children's book. I will use this book as a fun resource when I train Adults on the art of negotiating.
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June 18, 2013I will read this book only if eventually, before I die I can have a pet baby elephant.
What? Elephants aren't allowed in apartments? Well then maybe I need to start by negotiating for some land...
Okay. I'll settle for a pet turtle. For now.
What? Elephants aren't allowed in apartments? Well then maybe I need to start by negotiating for some land...
Okay. I'll settle for a pet turtle. For now.
July 19, 2013
This was a hilarious little book that compliments the 5th Spellmans book (which because I had an ARC didn't have the drawings in). Also, gives insight into Rae...
August 10, 2017
In trying to be a parody, this book actually offers some helpful advice on the topic of negotiation in a way children can understand. But, as a parody, that information is undercut by humorous misinformation. At least I think it's supposed to be funny. At one point in the "negotiation", the boy uses outright threats to get his way. Not good. And in the end, the boy does get his baby elephant once he becomes President of the United States and can spend his days eating nothing but ice cream with is pet elephant in the Oval Office.
Hang on. Maybe it's a satire...
Hang on. Maybe it's a satire...
August 29, 2020
ok, I read this children's book because I recently read a Lisa Lutz book which made me think back to the Spellman diaries. I looked to see if I had missed any and this was the only one. It made me laugh and I usually give children's books away but I don't know any parents I dislike enough to give this to their child. too much ammunition for one kid to have. So I may need to keep it.
July 15, 2023
This was a cute, funny, charming book. I am a huge fan of Lisa Lutz's series about the Spellman family. I promoted her work by interviewing her for at least three of the books which were published in various publications. While i think she was doing an amazing job writing
those books she became even better when writing stand-alone novels, though they were less witty and funny.
those books she became even better when writing stand-alone novels, though they were less witty and funny.
September 26, 2017
A cute and hilarious book. Can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Witty and funny!
July 2, 2018
Humourous children's book that adults will also enjoy. Of course, if your children are particularly clever, you may NOT want them reading this book, haha.
February 16, 2020
Haha This book was cute and funny.... but also not wrong. I like the message of not throwing a fit to get what you want and to never give up on your dreams.
June 6, 2023
If you like Boss Baby, you'll like this book. Sammy wants things. How can he get them? Through being rational and negotiating with his mom! So funny.
January 3, 2016
I thought the concept of this book was wonderful - teach kids to negotiate for what they want. Maybe if the leaders of the future learned real negotiation (i.e. give and take; compromise), maybe the Congress might be able to get something done!
But this was not to be. The book promises that "You CAN get everything you want," but then the next section talks about "managing expectations" - in other words, only want what you can get. This is an idea that many adults have difficulty with. This is the reality of compromise, but most people would not say that this was "getting everything I want." In fact, even later in the book there is a two page spread about what is worth, and not worth, negotiating for.
In the first sample negotiation in the book, the boy wants ice cream and it told no, he will ruin his dinner. The first part of the negotiation goes well, until he gets the dreaded "We'll see" from his mother. The book does well to point out that the boy needs to close the deal. Instead of offering something (like eating a small piece of broccoli, which he does not want to eat, but his mother is serving), he proclaims "I will not eat any vegetables at all unless you promise that you will take me to get ice cream." At this point mom gives in. I don't know about you, but if that was my mother and I had tried that form of blackmail, 1) no ice cream, and 2) I would eat my vegetables, or 3) some sort of negative consequence would have come my way.
I did like how the end asked about the fact that if you plan and prepare, some things that you cannot have now could possibly be yours, but the example given is not realistic. The boy continues to want the elephant as a pet that he was denied as a child, but the way he goes about it is to become the President of the United States. I would think becoming a zoo keeper or joining the circus might have been more realistic routes to get that want.
This book seems to come from the book Trail of the Spellmans, an adult mystery novel. I don't know this series, and am reviewing the book based on its publication as a children's picture book. (It's published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, a children's book publisher.) This book seems to be very much aimed at kids. Although it is humorous, it is not sarcastic, or otherwise written in such a way that it looks like it was written for kids, but its real audience is adults.
But this was not to be. The book promises that "You CAN get everything you want," but then the next section talks about "managing expectations" - in other words, only want what you can get. This is an idea that many adults have difficulty with. This is the reality of compromise, but most people would not say that this was "getting everything I want." In fact, even later in the book there is a two page spread about what is worth, and not worth, negotiating for.
In the first sample negotiation in the book, the boy wants ice cream and it told no, he will ruin his dinner. The first part of the negotiation goes well, until he gets the dreaded "We'll see" from his mother. The book does well to point out that the boy needs to close the deal. Instead of offering something (like eating a small piece of broccoli, which he does not want to eat, but his mother is serving), he proclaims "I will not eat any vegetables at all unless you promise that you will take me to get ice cream." At this point mom gives in. I don't know about you, but if that was my mother and I had tried that form of blackmail, 1) no ice cream, and 2) I would eat my vegetables, or 3) some sort of negative consequence would have come my way.
I did like how the end asked about the fact that if you plan and prepare, some things that you cannot have now could possibly be yours, but the example given is not realistic. The boy continues to want the elephant as a pet that he was denied as a child, but the way he goes about it is to become the President of the United States. I would think becoming a zoo keeper or joining the circus might have been more realistic routes to get that want.
This book seems to come from the book Trail of the Spellmans, an adult mystery novel. I don't know this series, and am reviewing the book based on its publication as a children's picture book. (It's published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, a children's book publisher.) This book seems to be very much aimed at kids. Although it is humorous, it is not sarcastic, or otherwise written in such a way that it looks like it was written for kids, but its real audience is adults.
August 14, 2013
First of all, I love the illustrations, it's childlike and has almost a Chibi style. I also love the concept of the book, but it's a bit lacking in execution, the book is effectively teaching young children to manipulate their parents.
Early on, the child says "I will not eat any vegetables at all unless you promise that you will take me to get ice cream" and the mother agrees. I'm not a parent quite yet, but even I know that this is setting a dangerous precedent. It's unlikely to work but if it does, that kid is going to make that same demand night after night and in the words of the great Sweet Brown "ain't nobody got time for that".
The rest of the book is actually pretty good, it talks about overreaching and how some larger demands will not work no matter how much is offered. It also encourages children to work for what they want so they can have it someday (like becoming the President just to get an elephant...that poor country...).
Overall, books like these are needed, I really want to teach my own children to learn how to effectively negotiate, but not enough is accomplished in this 32 page picturebook and it may end up doing more harm than good.
Early on, the child says "I will not eat any vegetables at all unless you promise that you will take me to get ice cream" and the mother agrees. I'm not a parent quite yet, but even I know that this is setting a dangerous precedent. It's unlikely to work but if it does, that kid is going to make that same demand night after night and in the words of the great Sweet Brown "ain't nobody got time for that".
The rest of the book is actually pretty good, it talks about overreaching and how some larger demands will not work no matter how much is offered. It also encourages children to work for what they want so they can have it someday (like becoming the President just to get an elephant...that poor country...).
Overall, books like these are needed, I really want to teach my own children to learn how to effectively negotiate, but not enough is accomplished in this 32 page picturebook and it may end up doing more harm than good.
June 23, 2015
First of all, this "childrens" picture book could only be enjoyed by a child with an IQ above 140. It is clever and funny and colorful with great illustrations but the vocabulary is a little advanced for a six year old. That being said, it is a very enjoyable aside of anyone who appreciates Lisa Lutz's writing. I can picture Izzy Spellman, or even better Rae Spellman, curled up in a corner reading this book as a child. Wonderful addition to the Spellman series.
August 7, 2013
This book is hilarious. It is a must read for parents, but be careful when allowing your child to read it or you may be outwitted. However, if you raise a skilled negotiater you could have that ever helpful laywer in the family. Lisa Lutz did a great job. A wonderful picture book. I will be requesting it for our school library.
November 14, 2018
Stink! This book could've been great but why oh why did they illustrate it with such a small child? This book is geared towards at least a 2nd grader and they are showing a toddler in the main role. This will turn-off older kids and loose the very reader it is meant for.
Great text, cool idea--bummer.
Great text, cool idea--bummer.
November 10, 2013
Age??? I love the concept of this book, but I don't think the average child would know how to manage expectations for what they can or cannot ask for. However, I do like the idea of having kids think about what other people want as a way of problem solving and compromise. Ultimately this is a book without an audience.
December 28, 2014
I like the concept of this book, but am not sure I like the execution at all. I guess teaching kids how to negotiate successfully is definitely something I want to see, but this books seems all about negotiations for the materialistic and self serving stuff. I'm sure I'm taking it too seriously, but it just didn't turn me on.
April 15, 2016
Amusing with an effort to keep the joke kid-friendly. I can imagine reading parts to an actual child. Think authors could have gone further with the actual idea of negotiation and keeping emotions in check. Elephant idea was too much.
July 10, 2013
Bookaday #59. Not sure who the audience is for this book - a picture book version for adults wanting quick tips for negotiation? Kids learning how to negotiate with parents/adults? Goony illustrations to boot!
August 26, 2013
very cute idea. i did not listen to it but the story was very funny. i'm wondering if it would be able to stand on its own though. i don't know if it's funny if you haven't read the spellman books.
October 23, 2013
Very funny to read aloud to my girls. There was a little too much good advice on negotiating - I'm sure I'll regret letting them in on some of these tactics - but this is also a book that will give any adult some good information and it's wonderfully funny.
November 24, 2013
Teaching your children how and when to negotiate and when "the ask" is just too big - HILARIOUS. I think we all want our own pet elephant; am i right? It actually is good for kids who need help understanding how to properly react when the answer to every question seems to be "No!"
January 23, 2014
Such a funny book for kids about negotiating. With lessons on "managing expectations" and "overreaching" as well as a glossary with words such as "mark", this book is fun for both parents and children! Keep an eye out for the little turtle, one of my favorite characters!
February 4, 2016
An amusing picture book for future business moguls! Talk about expanding one's vocabulary: negotiate, persistent, overreaching, and rational are all explained and illustrated in a way that I think most kids would get!
December 11, 2012
Portrays big concepts well, has some interesting classroom applications.
October 3, 2013
Cute book. Not too sure a kid would really understand too much of the concept, but seeing how it was written by a "lawyer", I wouldn't expect anything more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews