Do Not Turn the Page!

by Jane Blondie, Marcus Cutler (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally won this book in a contest which was only supposed to be available to Canadian readers, but Jane Blondie was kind enough to send me a copy anyway, and I am super delighted she did! Growing up, The Monster at the End of This Book was one of my favorite stories, and Do Not Turn The Page breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the readers in the same delightful way.

But before you begin reading this adoarable story about a boy who ABSOLUTELY, MOST DEFINITELY, does not want to take a bath, take a peak at the fun end papers by illustrator Marcus Cutler (I just love end papers!). His illustrations are pretty wonderful too and help keep the story moving forward.

Great job Jane and Marcus. I'm sure kids five to eight are going to love this story, because lets face it, who doesn't want to trun the page when they are told not to!

[Kristine A · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Do Not Turn the Page' is a hilarious, interactive picture books that will be loved by kids and adults alike. In Jane Blondie's debut picture book, she introduces you to Charlie, a mischievous kid who will charm you as he does his best to avoid bath time. Blondie's prose is fun and engaging, full of words and phrases destined to be repeated by young readers. Marcus Cutler's adorable illustrations are amusing and detailed; readers will find new things to enjoy every time they look at them. A perfect addition to any young one's bookshelf, kids will love turning ALL the pages in this awesome book.

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious picture book that breaks for the fourth wall, perfect for fans of The Monster at the End of This Book. Charlie doesn’t want to take a bath, and he implores the reader not to turn the page and get him closer to bathtime. Once he’s in the house, he wants the reader to turn slowly or quickly depending on his sticky situation. And the ending has a delightful meta quality as Charlie asks for a bedtime story – the very book the child is reading! The adorable artwork shows how desperately Charlie needs his bath and provides an extra layer of humour. A perfect read-a-loud kids will want to hear again and again.

[Rob Malloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Classroom Favourite!

I read "Do Not Turn the Page" to my grade one students and it was an instant hit! The giggles were non-stop, and the kids were completely hooked from the very first page. The story is playful, engaging, and full of surprises—just the right mix of fun and mischief that young readers adore. The illustrations are absolutely perfect and bring the story to life in such a vivid way. It's the kind of book that invites kids to immerse themselves, make meaningful connections, and just enjoy the ride. It's fun, it's messy (in the best possible way), and it's a joy to read aloud. Highly recommend for classrooms, libraries, or bedtime laughs!

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best of both worlds...one that my 5-year-old keeps on asking for over and over AND one that's lots of fun to read out loud (and reread...and reread!). Parents and kids alike will love Charlie and all his antics as he tries to escape from the inevitable bath time. Anyone who knows kids, has kids, or was a kid will also appreciate the impossible request to 'not turn the page,' of course only making readers itch to do the exact opposite. An instant classic in our household...do yourself a favour and get your hands on your very own copy.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kid's all dirty and so you KNOW he needs a bath. Except he doesn't want a bath. What's really fun is that he breaks the fourth wall and talks to the readers, imploring them to NOT turn the page. Of course, we turn the page, taking him one step closer to the dreaded bath.

Kids will love the fun illustrations and the fact that the character is talking to them.

Love the voice in this one! Best line: (The boy is stalling as we turn the page, making him enter the bathroom) "This is the very place where baths happen!"

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fresh and engaging picture book pulls the reader in from the first page! Kids will relate to little Charlie who tries everything to avoid bathing, and will giggle through the story as they see the hilarious illustrations of Charlie’s mischief and mess and hear his arguments about why the reader should NOT turn the page. Do Not Turn the Page is a lot of fun and has tie-ins with social emotional learning, language, and health.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of The Monster at the End of the Book, kids will love turning pages to slowly bring dirt-loving Charlie closer and closer to the bath that awaits him at the end of the story. Kids will also enjoy being addressed directly, and the agency that comes from exploring Charlie's house and leading him to the tub.

[Jennifer Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of the THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK will appreciate the child protagonist who tries to convince his readers to NOT turn the page, because there’s a bath at the end of the book—and he does not want to take a bath. The fact that he manages to get dirtier as the book progresses adds to the humour. Perfect for a classroom or library read-aloud where readers will enjoy engaging.

[Joyce Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, interactive book young readers will love. As the reader turns each page, it takes the main character into the house, into the bath and into his bed—and to sleep. As the character begs the reader not to turn the page, it only encourages the young reader to keep turning to see what their actions will do next. Fun and engaging.

[Analene · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Do Not Turn The Page’ is a hilarious book that kids will make kids absolutely laugh out loud. It follows the very relatable kid problem of not wanting to take a bath, fully engaging the reader as the main character begs them not to turn the page, which brings them that much closer to the bathtub. The illustrations are vibrant and funny too!

[Alana Bursey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book!!! Loved the progression of slowly getting the child to have a bath and the progression of turning each page! So fun!
A message many can relate to and the power of stories to make transitions and life skills fun and normal!
I read it to a 7 year old and she loved telling me to keep turning each page!

[Lizlemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is loads of fun! It's interactive and colourful, and Charlie is quite the character! He's a kid you know is always up to something, and you want to be a part of it! The author has a way with words that makes Charlie's voice so relatable for kids! Loved, loved, loved this book!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2-year-old grandson loved this book. He’s too young to get the joke that the book’s narrator (Charlie) is telling you to not turn the pages. But he is fascinated by Charlie. He listens intently when I read to him and follows Charlie closely. A good book to grow with.

[Ian Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The voice of a child comes to life with Blondie's words and Cutter's illustrations! I was tickled by the energy of this child's first-person voice and giggled out loud at the last page because it reminded me of my own son. Bravo creators!

[Roz MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for reluctant readers, as the super engaging main character playfully eggs on the readers as the story proceeds. The reader has the power to move the character into exceedingly messy situations, and eventually towards a dreaded bath.

[Deborah Kerbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read aloud...I giggled the whole way through! Readers who enjoyed 'The Monster at the End of the Book' will love this bedtime tale that takes on a similar tone. Kids will love 'defying' the narrator by continuing to turn the pages all the way through to the satisfying end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious metafiction about a child named Charlie who tries to convince the reader not to turn the page because he’ll get closer to the end of the book and bathtime. A fun bedtime book for the whole family.

[Mahtab Narsimhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story where readers are expected to disobey the refrain and turn the page (eagerly!) to discover the story. Readers will identify with the main character and enjoy reading about his escapades, again and again.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instantly relatable and full of spunk!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely phenomenal book! As a teacher, I have really enjoyed sharing this book with my class and all of my students have fallen in love with the character Charlie. It’s such a fun read!

[Lana Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book!!!! Kids will love being in total control of whether this kid ever makes it into the bath.

[Michael Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved both the story and the illustrations.
By breaking the fourth wall the author invites children in as co conspirators in the creation of the story. So much fun!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅ funny story and illustrations
✅ engaging read aloud
✅ Charlie's child voice is spot on
✅ kids will want to read this book over and over
✅ 🇨🇦 fiction picture book

[Casey Lyall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I can totally see kids giggling as they turn page after page to march Charlie off to his bath. Definitely a fun read.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engaging read in second person. Classical bedtime story.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun read that puts a fresh spin on the "Don't Turn The Page" genre. Kids will really enjoy the narrator voice in this one!