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The Big Tidy-Up
JENNIFER KNEW, AS well as you
That everything has its place,
But she just didn’t care a whit, a bit,
So her room was a real disgrace!
Jennifer’s mother has refused to touch Jennifer’s messy room until after Christmas Day. Free to let her room go, Jennifer turns a blind eye to the fustiness, the dustiness, and the spider’s webby empire up in the corner! Finally, one day, she can stand her own mess no longer, and gets to work— on the big tidy-up!
That everything has its place,
But she just didn’t care a whit, a bit,
So her room was a real disgrace!
Jennifer’s mother has refused to touch Jennifer’s messy room until after Christmas Day. Free to let her room go, Jennifer turns a blind eye to the fustiness, the dustiness, and the spider’s webby empire up in the corner! Finally, one day, she can stand her own mess no longer, and gets to work— on the big tidy-up!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2008
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 29, 2010
This was my favorite book growing up and it still motivates me to dejunk! I have my original book from childhood, which is falling apart and just found a gently used one for $1.99-hooray!
July 10, 2008
I checked this book out from my local library dozens of times when I was a kid. It was definitely a big favorite. The only problem is that I never owned it. As a result I spent decades looking for it. It was available on eBay for $350 but I just couldn't justified that cost.
Fortunately, Random House decided to reprint it. I recently found a new copy available for $15. I was thrilled!
My love of this book is really all about sentimentality. The story is cute and the illustrations remain a joy to me. I'm so happy to have it in my personal library at last.
Fortunately, Random House decided to reprint it. I recently found a new copy available for $15. I was thrilled!
My love of this book is really all about sentimentality. The story is cute and the illustrations remain a joy to me. I'm so happy to have it in my personal library at last.
September 3, 2014
a favorite of ours while growing up
January 26, 2022
This book is Elijah’s latest obsession, and I have been asked to read it to him about five times a day for the last couple of weeks. I definitely did not read this one as a kid, so I had no idea what to expect, but it’s actually pretty good! Thanks, Jaime—I think this was one of yours?
Anyway, if you’re looking for a book to inspire your child to maybe clean their room every once in awhile, this could be the one? I for sure could have used it as a young one, ha!
Anyway, if you’re looking for a book to inspire your child to maybe clean their room every once in awhile, this could be the one? I for sure could have used it as a young one, ha!
May 16, 2020
The start and end are only partially true. This is the day I added this to my Kindle. I first read the Big Tidy Up at six year's old as Jennifer with a new pink room.The book was a gift from my Gram & Pop Pop and my Aunt Amy, I think at Christmas. Our copy at home is dog eared and worn as I read it over and over. Years later, it was a favorite of Ansley & Hunter's because for all-intensive purposes Jennifer's room and mine were the same.
See I knew as well as you that everything had a place and I just didn't care not a whit or a bit and my room was a real disgrace.
The power of a great children's book is in the memories. See, I just rattled off that description from memory--without the book in hand or opened. Smaridge's tale of Jennifer's mess and her subsequent tidy-up has crafted through generations, another sign of a great children's book. While the illustrations are totally early 70's the story is one of every child who ever had a messy room and then worked to clean it up
In the days before HGTV, this was all the inspiration to do better there was.
See I knew as well as you that everything had a place and I just didn't care not a whit or a bit and my room was a real disgrace.
The power of a great children's book is in the memories. See, I just rattled off that description from memory--without the book in hand or opened. Smaridge's tale of Jennifer's mess and her subsequent tidy-up has crafted through generations, another sign of a great children's book. While the illustrations are totally early 70's the story is one of every child who ever had a messy room and then worked to clean it up
In the days before HGTV, this was all the inspiration to do better there was.
May 25, 2019
My favorite childhood book :-)
I saved this book from childhood for my children, then grandchildren. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so this book really resonated for me. Unfortunately, time took its toll in the attic and the binding gave way. I donated, then tried to find a replacement hard bound, only to find copies in worse shape going for $$$. My grandkids will enjoy my iPad version, but a piece of me misses the authentic original. ♥️
I saved this book from childhood for my children, then grandchildren. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so this book really resonated for me. Unfortunately, time took its toll in the attic and the binding gave way. I donated, then tried to find a replacement hard bound, only to find copies in worse shape going for $$$. My grandkids will enjoy my iPad version, but a piece of me misses the authentic original. ♥️
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February 25, 2024I chose this book because I got it as a gift when I was little and still have a copy of it.
What I liked about this book is the colorful and bright illustrations and how the story goes into detail of how Jennifer tries cleaning her room.
I would use this book in a future classroom when we are setting classroom expectations.
What I liked about this book is the colorful and bright illustrations and how the story goes into detail of how Jennifer tries cleaning her room.
I would use this book in a future classroom when we are setting classroom expectations.
March 7, 2020
What a favorite from my childhood. It was out of print and I could not locate a copy when my children were young. I now have 2 copies for future grandchildren. It is a fun way to approach avoiding clutter and not letting your life get out of control.
April 17, 2020
Childhood revisited
I LOVED this book as a child. Cleaning the attic during the covid lockdown I searched through a lot of Junk and this book came to mind! I was delighted to find an affordable copy in kindle format.
I LOVED this book as a child. Cleaning the attic during the covid lockdown I searched through a lot of Junk and this book came to mind! I was delighted to find an affordable copy in kindle format.
October 21, 2018
So thrilled to find this childhood book for kindle!
Still motivates me as an adult, and I hope to be able to share it with a grandchild in the future.
Still motivates me as an adult, and I hope to be able to share it with a grandchild in the future.
January 14, 2020
Most favorite book from my childhood. I have the most beat-up copy in existence and will treasure it forever.
July 3, 2020
子どもの片付けに関する本を3歳の娘に読み聞かせたいと思って読んだ本。
これは子供の片付け本の中で一番良かった本。
楽しいし、かなり片付けしないとどうなるかということが具体的に子供にわかりやすいようになってるし、片付けの仕方についてもアイディアも子供に伝わりやすい最高の本でした。
これは子供の片付け本の中で一番良かった本。
楽しいし、かなり片付けしないとどうなるかということが具体的に子供にわかりやすいようになってるし、片付けの仕方についてもアイディアも子供に伝わりやすい最高の本でした。
December 6, 2022
So lyrical , smart and hilarious. I've read it a hundred times, to every kiddo I knows
December 11, 2022
A favorite of mine from childhood. I remember especially loving that the messy protagonist has a plate of pie under her pillow.
September 27, 2008
I was inspired to add some children's books to my reviews by my BFF...so here goes! My daughter and I love "The Big Tidy Up"! This was one of my favorites as a child because I always liked my room "tidy" and I just couldn't stand how the main character in the book, Jennifer, could get her room so dang dirty! But then Jennifer cleans it! Yeah! Great book for encouraging your little one to "tidy up". And it rhymes, too! LOVE THAT!
August 25, 2010
This is one of those children's books where the writing is as delightful as the pictures, and the pictures are as clever as the writing. Catchy syntax - my three year old quotes lines from this book around the house. How can I say how much I love this book?! Oh yeah - it also carries a nice message any parent can appreciate about cleaning up after yourself. Read this book.
March 4, 2016
Every member of my family can quote this book.
"Jennifer knew, as well as you, that everything had its place.
But she just didn't care,
a whit,
a bit,
so her room was a real disgrace."
Loved it!
My boys had our very old, taped, torn, tattered, and much loved copy read to them when they were young and it now lives with my sister.
"Jennifer knew, as well as you, that everything had its place.
But she just didn't care,
a whit,
a bit,
so her room was a real disgrace."
Loved it!
My boys had our very old, taped, torn, tattered, and much loved copy read to them when they were young and it now lives with my sister.
September 25, 2019
The little girl who rearranged her room Marie Kondo style long before the Magical Art of Tidying Up was written. I grew up loving the art—the girl’s untamable afro, the lollipop stuck in her pocket , the mounds of dirty laundry. I admire the unrealistic goal of tackling it all in a single day, and with so hopeful an ending, that she would never make a mess again! We can all dream...
January 28, 2009
This was a terrific book that everyone should have in their library for their children. I loved how Jennifer realized that she just couldn't live in a mess from now until Christmas Day! Wish my kids would realize this.
January 23, 2008
An out-of-print picture book from my childhood...
March 22, 2008
Man, I loved this book as a kid! Clearly reading about cleaning one's room is preferable to actually doing it...
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May 28, 2008My mother will appreciate the fact that I still need to learn Jennifer's lesson about keeping my room spic and span!
June 5, 2008
This is my all time favorite picture book. Unfortunately my copy was loved to death and it has been out of print. Back by popular demand, I recently found it at Amazon.
July 1, 2008
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
July 5, 2008
A childhood favorite. I found this newly released book on Amazon. A cute story about a little girl (Jennifer) cleaning her room. Every girl will be able to identify.
March 17, 2009
This got three stars instead of two because the messy kid was like my daughter.(Except she never decided to tunr over a new leaf) The rhyme was rough and I stumbled quite a bit.
November 14, 2010
Loved it when I was a kid, my son loves it now. Great rhymes, adorable pictures.
August 15, 2015
I loved this book as a kid. My mom had me keep all my books, so my daughter got to enjoy this book as well. Great pictures to go along with the catchy story.
March 28, 2008
Another childhood favorite. I could relate. ;)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews