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Mercer Mayer's Little Critter Inspired Kids
You Go First
In "You Go First," Litter Critter loves being first--even if it hurts his family and friends. After several missteps, Little Critter learns that the secret to getting along is treating others the way he wants to be treated--which, in Little Critter's case, means letting someone else be first.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2013
88 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Mercer Mayer
775 books787 followersMercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 15, 2021
Read for my toddler’s bedtime. Little Critter wanted to be first at everything but at home he had to let his baby brother have the first bite and his little sister on the swing. But at school he pushed his way to be first and it made his classmates and friends unhappy.
Read from kindle unlimited.
Read from kindle unlimited.
June 30, 2020
Great book
I liked it because of 3story flow and my 4 year old liked the pictures. Good story of showing how Jesus wants us to get along in our society.
I liked it because of 3story flow and my 4 year old liked the pictures. Good story of showing how Jesus wants us to get along in our society.
February 8, 2015
In the book You Go First, we see a change in the little critter in his home and school life. The change that occurs is not from a teacher or parent that punishes or scolds him, but stems from the experiences of the Little Critter himself. Although there are many tips from other characters throughout the story, it is the Critter’s personal experience that causes him to realize what is right. This is a creative way to show children that the lessons taught in school and at home are beneficial to our everyday lives. However, sometimes children need to learn things for themselves as the Little Critter did.
The text in this story shows the personality of the main character and the way his tendency to push himself to be first effects those around him. In the beginning of the story while the critter is at home, his family members get to do things before him and we see how this makes him feel with words such as, “It’s not fair!” and “I never get to be first.” However, when he gets to school he pushes through everyone in order to be first. This causes messes and many hurt feelings as he only cares about himself and how he can be first. Towards the end of the book when the Little Critter finds himself lost in the scary forest, he realizes all he has done wrong, and that he has not been a good friend. The forest is a moment of clarity for the critter which nature often symbolizes. I also liked how the author shows the critter not only realizing what he did was wrong, but fixing his mistakes by allowing his friends and family to go before him.
In addition to the text, the illustrations add to the mood and feeling of the characters. The background also gives off a happy mood with a bright and colorful environment. The teacher has a rounder shape and wears the color pink, which gives her a motherly look as she calmly tries to help the Little Critter. The illustrations also show the mess the critter makes in a way where the reader feels the critter is causing trouble for all the other students. In the scene in the woods the colors darken and the animals are no longer friendly happy creatures, there is a snake, frog and spider, which adds to the scary feeling the critter has. Overall, the text and illustrations in the story, You Go First do a great job simply getting the point across while entertaining young readers.
The text in this story shows the personality of the main character and the way his tendency to push himself to be first effects those around him. In the beginning of the story while the critter is at home, his family members get to do things before him and we see how this makes him feel with words such as, “It’s not fair!” and “I never get to be first.” However, when he gets to school he pushes through everyone in order to be first. This causes messes and many hurt feelings as he only cares about himself and how he can be first. Towards the end of the book when the Little Critter finds himself lost in the scary forest, he realizes all he has done wrong, and that he has not been a good friend. The forest is a moment of clarity for the critter which nature often symbolizes. I also liked how the author shows the critter not only realizing what he did was wrong, but fixing his mistakes by allowing his friends and family to go before him.
In addition to the text, the illustrations add to the mood and feeling of the characters. The background also gives off a happy mood with a bright and colorful environment. The teacher has a rounder shape and wears the color pink, which gives her a motherly look as she calmly tries to help the Little Critter. The illustrations also show the mess the critter makes in a way where the reader feels the critter is causing trouble for all the other students. In the scene in the woods the colors darken and the animals are no longer friendly happy creatures, there is a snake, frog and spider, which adds to the scary feeling the critter has. Overall, the text and illustrations in the story, You Go First do a great job simply getting the point across while entertaining young readers.
October 16, 2013
Starring my favourite Little Critter characters, ones that blessed my own childhood, "You Go First" brings to life important values in an entertaining package. Mercer Mayer's pictures are colourful and filled with fun details, and if your children are like mine, they will love looking for the spider and the mouse hidden in the pages of the book! Your children will recognize their own behaviour and attitudes in Little Critter as he learns an important lesson about what happens if you always demand to be the first in line to do something! My daughters in grade two and three respectively had no trouble reading this book to themselves or their younger brother, and said they enjoyed the well-written story and the pictures that go along with it. The best part about this book is its ability to open up a conversation with your little ones about the impact our behaviour can have on our friends, and why God wants us to share with others and take turns. In my opinion, this message is not only an important one for our own children, but a good reminder for the parents and adults reading the book as well!
I don't know about you, but I loved reading "Little Critters" books when I was a child, and I'm happy to see this faith-based version starring Little Critter as well. If you would like to read a book with your children that will captive them with its interesting pictures while conveying an important truth as well, then pick up a copy of "You Go First". 4.5 out of 5 stars.
A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
I don't know about you, but I loved reading "Little Critters" books when I was a child, and I'm happy to see this faith-based version starring Little Critter as well. If you would like to read a book with your children that will captive them with its interesting pictures while conveying an important truth as well, then pick up a copy of "You Go First". 4.5 out of 5 stars.
A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
September 6, 2014
The book follows a young character who always wants to go first and be first in everything. The more and more he desires to be first, his friends and family members begin to lose enjoyment playing with him. His actions begin to backfire on him and he learns it is much kinder to let others go first.
What a great book for a young child to read. Especially if they just began school or even if they are still at home. Some young children may tend to be selfish and want to be the first at everything. This book shows the reader the ramifications due to your selfish actions and shows how letting others go first feels better than the enjoyment of always being the one to do everything first.
What a great book for a young child to read. Especially if they just began school or even if they are still at home. Some young children may tend to be selfish and want to be the first at everything. This book shows the reader the ramifications due to your selfish actions and shows how letting others go first feels better than the enjoyment of always being the one to do everything first.
March 20, 2017
These Merced Mayer books are the BEST! This one teaches a lesson children really need to learn. Going first is not always the best thing! And it's not polite, nor does it win you friends. I love that the author tells that in the Bible God teaches us that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. Little Critter gets that message and repeats it. The animal critter characters are so adorably cute, we can take their lessons with a smile!
May 14, 2014
Now this is a book I should read often to the preschoolers. Nice to emphasize the need to not always 'be first'.
July 29, 2017
Little Critter wants to go first, and will do almost anything to be first. This series always does a great job of portraying "kid logic" and showing kids that there is a better way to treat others.
August 24, 2016
Love the little critters
It was a very good teaching book for my grand daughter who is learning to read. I've always liked the little critter books.
It was a very good teaching book for my grand daughter who is learning to read. I've always liked the little critter books.
March 18, 2018
Awesome
It teaches little ones how to be nice to others. It tells kids to take their time, because even being last might not be great it is okay! I love the pictures!
It teaches little ones how to be nice to others. It tells kids to take their time, because even being last might not be great it is okay! I love the pictures!
April 3, 2020
Super sweet story
Cute story and sweet pictures. We love the Little Critter books. It’s always good to have a good reminder to have good manners and this story did just that.
Cute story and sweet pictures. We love the Little Critter books. It’s always good to have a good reminder to have good manners and this story did just that.
April 8, 2020
Adorable and good lesson!
I received the book for free, but the opinion is my own. Little critter learned a good lesson in finding joy by putting others first.
I received the book for free, but the opinion is my own. Little critter learned a good lesson in finding joy by putting others first.
April 26, 2020
You go first
Cute story about not always having to be first. I read this book with my grandson. He enjoyed it very much.
Cute story about not always having to be first. I read this book with my grandson. He enjoyed it very much.
April 27, 2020
Great.
I have enjoyed Mercer Mayer books for a long time. I enjoyed this one very much. Definitely recommend this for elementary ages. Wouldn’t hurt some older folks either.
I have enjoyed Mercer Mayer books for a long time. I enjoyed this one very much. Definitely recommend this for elementary ages. Wouldn’t hurt some older folks either.
May 26, 2020
Very nice
This a good book to teach about caring. My eight year old told me " it's a shame it can't be like that".
This a good book to teach about caring. My eight year old told me " it's a shame it can't be like that".
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October 13, 2021 Awesome book
I liked this book because it teaches kids they do not always have to be first, to go first, to eat something first. It teaches them sometime team work and working together is what is more important than rushing to go first. Teaches that treating your family and friends the way you want to be treated is the right thing to do. Also you learn letting your friends go first they smile and sat thank you and that makes you feel better. My girls love the Little Critters books.
I liked this book because it teaches kids they do not always have to be first, to go first, to eat something first. It teaches them sometime team work and working together is what is more important than rushing to go first. Teaches that treating your family and friends the way you want to be treated is the right thing to do. Also you learn letting your friends go first they smile and sat thank you and that makes you feel better. My girls love the Little Critters books.
July 28, 2020
You go first
Great way to teach children to “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” Luke 6:31. Great reminder to treat others with kindness. I love that as a kid I often read critter books and now I can read them to my little ones. Recommend critter books as they are always filled with an ethical and moral lesson.
Great way to teach children to “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” Luke 6:31. Great reminder to treat others with kindness. I love that as a kid I often read critter books and now I can read them to my little ones. Recommend critter books as they are always filled with an ethical and moral lesson.
August 19, 2020
This is a good book to start a conversation with kids about sharing, but it also relies on Little Critter being scared of a snake to want others to go first. It’s a good starting point and my students liked it a lot, but it was a little difficult to use it as a model for why we should be kind to others and let them go first.
September 6, 2020
A good story with meaning
It's a beautiful story. I feel like kids can learn a good lesson from this cute story, especially if they have a hard time not being the first ones or the winners.
It's a beautiful story. I feel like kids can learn a good lesson from this cute story, especially if they have a hard time not being the first ones or the winners.
September 10, 2020
This book shows that you can not always put yourself first. People will eventually start disliking you because you are being selfish and inconsiderate. In this book, the little critter had to learn from different experiences on how not to be selfish and put others first. Think about others!
September 30, 2020
i recall reading some of these as a kid ...not remember the names of the books? just the fun characters. i read hand held books then ... kindle version this time. must read. so cute. great illustrations.
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May 12, 2020Great teaching
This was a great read for my competitive five year old. I highly recommend it. This is potentially great book for families that struggle with games.
This was a great read for my competitive five year old. I highly recommend it. This is potentially great book for families that struggle with games.
September 2, 2020
Love the story
Love the biblical principal incorporated in the story . Story was a good read and perfect for the little ones.
Love the biblical principal incorporated in the story . Story was a good read and perfect for the little ones.
September 21, 2020
Always love little critter
We loved reading this book together. Really loved the message as we are currently dealing w three kids who all want to be first.
We loved reading this book together. Really loved the message as we are currently dealing w three kids who all want to be first.
September 30, 2020
Little critters
I love the little critter books the reach kids important lessons that they can learn and enrich their lives and those around them
I love the little critter books the reach kids important lessons that they can learn and enrich their lives and those around them
November 11, 2020
A Hit!
Read this to two cousins who constantly argue and race to win! This is a great way to communicate and talk about the Golden Rule
Read this to two cousins who constantly argue and race to win! This is a great way to communicate and talk about the Golden Rule
July 14, 2021
Life lessons
Teaching children how to be respectful. Taking terms, preferring others before yourself shows great restraint.
As parents we need our children to see us as examples.
Teaching children how to be respectful. Taking terms, preferring others before yourself shows great restraint.
As parents we need our children to see us as examples.
October 12, 2021
You Go First
We absolutely loved this book. It taught a wonderful lesson about life and how to apply it. Great read. Highly recommend.
We absolutely loved this book. It taught a wonderful lesson about life and how to apply it. Great read. Highly recommend.
December 11, 2021
You Go First (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer --This one is on kindle unlimited. I love Mercer Mayer’s illustrations, and this is a lovely reminder about manners! Happy Reading!
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February 6, 2022Pian
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews