Overboard!

by Sarah Weeks, Sam Williams (Illustrator)

Sweet little baby bunny is as cute as can be, but turn your back for just one minute and--uh-oh, he's throwing everything overboard! The peachy peaches are going overboard! Squeaky, leaky rubber ducky? He's overboard! And so are the jammies and the diapers and everything else within reach. And when it's finally time to settle down for bedtime, the baby bunny has one last surprise!

Sarah Weeks's charming rhythmic text and Sam Williams's sweet appealing illustrations have come together in a book that mischievous toddlers will want to read again and again.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Animals, Humor, Rabbits

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Sarah Weeks has been writing children's books and songs for the past twenty years. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and NYU and recently became an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University, in New York City.

Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent's Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picture books include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CDs. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.

Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.

Reviews

[Amanda]

This will be fun to read for baby story time.

[Terresa Wellborn]

A fun, colorful book full of repetition, "Overboard!" Littles will love joining in the refrain throughout the book, and laugh at the silly bunny, throwing items from high chair, tub, crib, stroller, table, bookshelves, stairs, and crib again. Part of my laughter comes from raising my own kids and experiencing this as their mama, picking up again and again their tossed, chucked, discarded ___ (fill in the blank) during this stage of toddlerhood.

Themes: rabbits, humor
Ages: toddler-K
Pub year: 2006

[Claire Waldron-Gross]

I use this in baby storytime and have the grown-ups tip the babies to the side every time we say "overboard!" The babies love all the tipping, and the grown-ups are into the messy baby humor. It also has a nice bounce rhythm to it.

[Bethany]

Great for baby storytimes--a perfect fit for caregivers of little ones who are in the midst of the overboard phase!

[Jennifer]

This is one I heard during a baby story time. Every time the baby in the story throws a toy, you tip the baby and say "overboard!"

[Maude P. Ragsdale Hiram Library]

Hilariously relatable

[Erin]

This is great for Baby Storytime. Kiddos can bounce on their grownups legs and go overboard along with the items in the book.

[Emma Treganowan]

Went well for baby Storytime but was not one I will gravitate to read again because unless its a one on one read, its not easy to grasp what is going on.

[Marya]

The key to this book is reading the catch phrase as three drawn-out syllables: i.e. O-VER-BOARD! We all love the little bunny (safely) chucking things around the house, though I'll admit I got a little wigged out when Bunny wanted to try "overboard from way up high". Yes, it's nice to see Mama catch Bunny when he tries to throw himself off the stairs, but the kamikaze vibe is a little creepy when foisted onto a small rabbit in pajamas with a mouse sidekick. I can see how some parents would object.

[Joanna]

k-2nd grade. Ah, the ubiquitous story of the toddler who enjoys throwing things out of the crib, off the high chair, from the table, from the changing table, and from anywhere possible. This book is a pleasure to look at but it may frustrate parents with its' indulgence in the mischievous delight of sending things flying. The illustrations use bright, cheery colors designed to make the reader feel like throwing something overboard. Overall an amusing story that may be a worthwhile addition to a public library's youth collection.

[Maria Burel]

Any parent with a child who has gone through the "overboard" phase will appreciate this humorous story. Little Bunny starts his game over overboard in the morning, with he breakfast of "drippy, slippy-slidey peaches" and continues all day long until his final overboard as he is put in the crib for the night. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and showcase Little Bunny's delight on every page.

[jacky]

A cute story of a baby bunny making a messy by pushing, pulling, and throwing various things overboard. The illustrations are fun and the text is playful with language. There is also a sweet moment where mommy bunny prevents a nasty fall on the stairs and gets bunny ready for bed. Not for those (like my parents) who don't like books about kids being naughty.

[Dina]

So cute! I've always liked Sam Williams' illustration and these are just perfect, showing the bunny's exuberance as he throws things overboard all day long. There is just enough text to tell the story, and the descriptive adjectives add a nice rhythm. A fun one to share with toddlers who love to throw (and climb).

[Maggie]

Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Book (2007)

This book is the realest. Every toddler in the known universe likes to knock things off of high places, throw things on the ground, and just in general explore the wonders of gravity. This could be a fun lapsit read or story time for 3-5s, the rhyme and rhythm encouraging kids to sing along every time we turn the page and yell "OVERBOARD!"

[Taylor]

Lots of rhythm and silly words in this book (SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!). There's also opportunity to be loud, get and give good cuddles, and (finally) a nice getting-ready-for-bed book. The pictures are also really wonderful -- sweet bunnies with lots of color and movement.

[Mara Sundwall]

I'm throwing in one of my favorite kid's reads because I so love this author. Kalli and I read a few more by her this week. She's very creative. Thought I'd pass that along to all of you who may be looking for something entertaining to read to your youngins.

[Amy]

Since this is every baby's favorite game, throwing everything "overboard" for mommy and daddy to pick up over and over again, the book is definitely one a baby can understand. Although, I'm afraid it encourages more of throwing items "overboard" for fun.

[Cara Byrne]

"OVERBOARD!" Within minutes of reading this book, my two-year-old was so excited to begin shouting out with the baby bunny, relishing in every object thrown where it was not supposed to go. An enjoyable toddler storytime read.

[Jennifer]

Super simple text, the story consists almost entirely of a baby bunny throwing things that shouldn't be thrown. While I'm sure it's meant to be humorous, I worry more that it will encourage poor behavior while not really amusing the reader. Yeah, I won't be using this one in storytime.

[Elizabeth]

A good library pick that I've been enjoying reading to Baby Bee...though I'm sure it's giving her all sorts of bad ideas. Heh.

[Kate McCartney]

For anyone who has or had an infant who likes to throw anything and everything out of the crib. Very cute.

[Tricia]

baby throws lots of things overboard. neat text. cute for jumping beans.

[Kate Hastings]

A baby bunny tosses food off the highchair, blankets out of their crib, and duckies out of the bath...

[Laura]

Perfect book to read with Cadence at 16+ months - while she is in love with throwing EVERYTHING overboard!!!

[Jodi]

Ok, I don't know if this is N's favorite or not, but it is my husband's favorite! And the rhythm of the text is fabulous.

[Aspasia]

My son absolutely loved this book!

[Angela]

A great read aloud book. Kids will love saying overboard with you.

[Alicia]

An easy story about a bunny throwing everything overboard, which is fun because isn't that what all kids do?

[Yvette]

One of my toddlers favorite things to do. Throw it overboard!

[Sarah]

Every baby plays this game, gravity is so much fun, especially if there is someone to fetch all the things that you drop!