Opposite, the

by Tom MacRae

When Nate woke up in the morning, The Opposite was standing on his ceiling staring down at him. From that moment on, Nate’s day turned upside down in the most extraordinary way.
When Nate poured milk on his cereal—something he is usually good at—The Opposite happened. Milk splashed everywhere and made a big mess. When he started to draw a very good picture of an elephant at school, The Opposite happened. Paint went everywhere, except on his paper. But when Nate comes up with a brilliant plan to beat The Opposite at its own game, things start looking up again.
Tom MacRae’s funny story about how a resourceful young protagonist cleverly triumphs over a nefarious nemesis will appeal to young readers. Illustrator Elena Odriozola’s distinctive line drawings capture the humor and simplicity of the story.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2006

Reviews

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun! It's like reverse psychology explained for kids. And we know how much kids love doing the opposite, especially when it come to chores and other not-so-fun activities.

[Abbicadabra · Rating 1 out of 5]

My five year old hated this book. He wanted to stop reading half way through because the illustrations and story creeped him out so much. We decided to finish it as hopefully there would be a happy resolution, and there barely was, only the last sentence on the last page. But it wasn't enough for a now scared little boy worried to open his eyes in case a literal monster was starring back at him from his ceiling. I'm glad we only borrowed it from the library and we can take it straight back. Unfortunately my son is still talking about the 'horrible' book a week later. It's fine as a way of explaining what the opposite means to children, except that the opposites are mainly negative things, so that's confusing.

[Ami Schroder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this quirky, fun read aloud! Favorite line, "But then the opposite happened..." Kids love this read aloud and I love reading it to them!

[NurSibel Köse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çok eğlenceli ve yaratıcı. Bu kitaba bayıldım.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically have a hard time getting into the story when the illustration style is so odd, like this one. But this book stole my heart in a strange way. 4yo was into it!

[André Henriques · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches you how to deal with an opposite.

[Children's Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. Fabulous art. Fabulous storyline.

It's so refreshing, so opposite! Love it!

[Ria K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonuna bayıldım (:

[Jamala Alkeshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read. I like this creature the opposite, because he is so incredibly unique, its not like monsters or fairies or common fantasy creations. This is one that causes you to think, even though I am not a child it still caused me to think about what it meant when it said that the "opposite happened" at one point I didn't know if that meant that the opposite had appeared in the scene or if literally the opposite of what he was told to do happened. Therefore the book kept me enthralled the whole way. I also like how Nate comes to realise how to deal with the opposite, its a great way for kids to critically think about ways in which Nate can deal with it, before reading the ending (where we see how Nate deals with him in a wise way). This is defidently a book I would use in my classroom.

[babyhippoface · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off: the illustrations creeped me the heck out. Now on to more professional things:

Nate wakes up one morning to find The Opposite on his ceiling, a being who turns Nate’s world topsy-turvy. Although the humans in Odriozola’s pen and watercolor illustrations are primitive and somewhat unsettling, most children--who have all pretended it is “Opposite Day” at one time or another--will be too busy anticipating the next “opposite” moment to care much. The clever way Nate eventually handles the situation provides a satisfying ending. Introduce discussion of the concept of opposites with this title, and you’ll likely have a classroom full of children pretending they have an Opposite of their own.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

One morning Nate wakes up to find The Opposite standing on his bedroom ceiling. Throughout the day it follows him, changing everything he tries to do into the opposite, until he comes up with a brilliant plan. This story gives a mischievous twist to the genre of children’s “opposite” books. The unusual personification of “The Opposite” helps to make this a story to be enjoyed over multiple readings and by a wide range of readers. While the primary audience for this picture book is those aged 6 to 9 years, children under 6 will be able to enjoy the colourful and whimsical illustrations.

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have a connection with this book because I used to pretend like certain days were opposite days. Anyways, this is a great book for kids who are learning about opposites because "the opposite" does everything the opposite of what he is supposed to do. I think that kids k-3 could totally relate to this book.

[Yoo Kyung Sung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever Nate does, the Opposite makes it messy. Nate did not do it yet people do not believe him. Nate later on learn to trick the Opposite. His work claimed to be messy, the opposite made it tidy.
Clever story and brillant illustration. The concept of opposite is wisely played in this book. The author is from Engliand and the illustrator is from Spain.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 year old loves this book right now. If he didn't, I would probably give it a lower rating, because there's just something not quite right with it, although I can't quite pin down what that is.

The illustrations are great - simply drawn, but very evocative.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool book - a brain teaser about opposites and a fun read. The illustrations of the Opposite were somehow disturbing and there was a creepy undercurrent that I couldn't put my finger on - maybe I'm just a weirdo. Certainly worth reading; my son asked if we could buy it!

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book, it's a very clever idea but, I wonder if it's too clever for the target audience. It seems like a children's book written for grown-ups. I will have to wait until my baby is much older to see whether or not she agrees.

[Paul]

OMG this book is so brilliant! I love it! I'm trying to find a way to use it in my classroom. The illustrations are great too.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

i came across it at a sale and fell in love. the first children's book i've ever bought myself. made me laugh, and i love the illustrations.

[Sam Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and a very clever story. My little boy's favourite story - much requested

[Dee-Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was read at the library book reading session this morning and did not really grab the attention ofthe audience, which is a small class of special needs kids. I did not like the drawings much.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read--not your typical dry book about opposites!

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a little creepy, but it did not seem to bother my two year old, who wanted to hear it over and over. Gorgeous & strange artwork.

[TwoDrinks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone actually said to me, 'it must be good because Stephen Fry thinks it is'. I didn't think it was good. I story was ok but I probs would have enjoyed it more if I'd not been given such hype.

[Amelia Halgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully ridiculous! I think my kids enjoyed this even more than me. We have read it every night for the past three nights!

[Kara Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinarily clever and delightful!

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting with almost-creepy illustrations. It's a good "thinker" for the kids.