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我有意見
我有話要說：「大人真的很奸詐！」
反抗妹來踢館，老爸如何接招？
用幽默取代否定，化解緊繃的育兒情緒
用爸爸擅長的右腦創意，從容解除親子警鈴
親子互動可以這樣做：幽默感＋創意＋情緒管理
爸爸，我現在非常生氣！
因為我覺得大人好奸詐喔！有很多很多過分的事！
為什麼大人可以很晚還不睡覺，小孩就要七早八早被趕上床？
為什麼明明是弟弟不乖，挨罵的卻都是我呢？
為什麼說「因為我是大人」，就可以吃兩根香腸呢？
面對孩子的質疑，你該怎麼辦？
地表最強的親子對話，教你破解「親子緊張密碼」！
運用爸爸擅長的右腦創意，從容解除親子警鈴，
讓孩子即刻就明白心中的「為什麼」。
＊有注音
反抗妹來踢館，老爸如何接招？
用幽默取代否定，化解緊繃的育兒情緒
用爸爸擅長的右腦創意，從容解除親子警鈴
親子互動可以這樣做：幽默感＋創意＋情緒管理
爸爸，我現在非常生氣！
因為我覺得大人好奸詐喔！有很多很多過分的事！
為什麼大人可以很晚還不睡覺，小孩就要七早八早被趕上床？
為什麼明明是弟弟不乖，挨罵的卻都是我呢？
為什麼說「因為我是大人」，就可以吃兩根香腸呢？
面對孩子的質疑，你該怎麼辦？
地表最強的親子對話，教你破解「親子緊張密碼」！
運用爸爸擅長的右腦創意，從容解除親子警鈴，
讓孩子即刻就明白心中的「為什麼」。
＊有注音
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2015
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Shinsuke Yoshitake
66 books171 followersAssociated Names:
* ヨシタケ シンスケ (Japanese)
* Shinsuke Yoshitake (English)
* 吉竹伸介 (Chinese)
* 요시타케 신스케 (Korean)
* ชินสุเกะ โยชิทาเกะ (Thai)
Shinsuke Yoshitake is the author-illustrator of many award-winning picture books, including New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year There Must Be More Than That!, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year The Boring Book, I Can Be Anything, I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band, and I Can Explain. His books have been translated into more than 10 languages. He lives in Japan.
* ヨシタケ シンスケ (Japanese)
* Shinsuke Yoshitake (English)
* 吉竹伸介 (Chinese)
* 요시타케 신스케 (Korean)
* ชินสุเกะ โยชิทาเกะ (Thai)
Shinsuke Yoshitake is the author-illustrator of many award-winning picture books, including New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year There Must Be More Than That!, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year The Boring Book, I Can Be Anything, I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band, and I Can Explain. His books have been translated into more than 10 languages. He lives in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2024
HAHAHAHA VERY FUNNY
September 4, 2024
Valid answers for all those questions. haha
August 14, 2024
8/12/2024 So stinking cute. I'm gonna have to share it with my kids and get their reactions before I write a full review over at TheFrumiousConsortium.net tho.
8/14/2024 Wit is infused into every detail of this children's book that has just as much insight for parents as it does for their precocious kids.
The young girl who grumpily exclaims the title of the book on its cover has had enough. Adults are always getting away with bossing their kids around unfairly, so she's going to march up to her Daddy and not only make a formal complaint, but also demand answers. Why do adults get to stay up so late after telling their not even sleepy kids to go to bed? Why do they get to order kids into baths? And how come they don't have to eat food they dislike but kids need to eat all their green peas?
Daddy, who was happily minding his own business reading a book when she barges in, decides to answer her questions, beginning with the first. At night, he claims, Santa Claus' investigators come to check on whether kids are being good by going to bed on time, a task his daughter has been acing. His daughter, being no dummy, is highly skeptical of this story, and continues to press for answers. Daddy starts making up all sorts of wild stories to answer her other questions, as father and daughter strive, in this roundabout way, to better understand one another. The apple, ofc, does not fall far from the tree when Daddy turns the tables and points out that sometimes kids can be unfair, too.
While some of the humor and tone of the text feels like it perhaps does not translate perfectly from the Japanese to Anglophile Western culture, the illustrations were unfailingly perfect. Tho the line drawings are simple and cartoony, they expressively evoke the gamut of emotions felt by both father and daughter, from grumpiness and frustration to surprise and love. The book overall is a very good starting point to open up conversations between kids and their parents about any perceived injustices in their relationship.
So I was genuinely surprised when I offered this to my kids to read, and my youngest basically told me he couldn't relate, because he felt that the adults in his life were very fair. Not in so many words, ofc, as we're still working on his verbal skills, but he kept covering up the "un" in "unfair" while we were reading this together, before he abandoned the book entirely. I can't tell whether this means I ought to congratulate myself on building a relationship with my kid where he feels seen and respected, or whether I maybe let him get away with too much.
My middle child declined to read this altogether at first, but when I was taking a photo of this for my Instagram, he desperately wanted to get into the photo with me. I told him that he'd have to read the book with me afterwards, which we did with much gusto, taking turns doing the voices. His favorite part was apparently the bit about royalty, as he too is fond of looking after younger kids.
My eldest, a thirteen year-old who definitely has experience telling his parents that we're being unfair, probably liked the book best of all three kids, especially the part where the daughter tells her dad about her dreams. I was secretly relieved that he didn't pick the part where the daughter rightfully calls out her dad on being too busy for her while he's working, tho am also planning on referencing what dad says by way of explanation the next time my kids come clamoring while I'm at my PC. Tho in fairness, I'm almost never too busy to give out hugs and take minor breaks from whatever I'm reading or writing: the benefits of a lifetime working with a scattered, ADD-adjacent brain.
As a gentle way for kids and parents to start a conversation on the authority gap, this is a great, humorous start.
That's Not Fair by Shinsuke Yoshitake was published August 6 2024 by Chronicle Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
8/14/2024 Wit is infused into every detail of this children's book that has just as much insight for parents as it does for their precocious kids.
The young girl who grumpily exclaims the title of the book on its cover has had enough. Adults are always getting away with bossing their kids around unfairly, so she's going to march up to her Daddy and not only make a formal complaint, but also demand answers. Why do adults get to stay up so late after telling their not even sleepy kids to go to bed? Why do they get to order kids into baths? And how come they don't have to eat food they dislike but kids need to eat all their green peas?
Daddy, who was happily minding his own business reading a book when she barges in, decides to answer her questions, beginning with the first. At night, he claims, Santa Claus' investigators come to check on whether kids are being good by going to bed on time, a task his daughter has been acing. His daughter, being no dummy, is highly skeptical of this story, and continues to press for answers. Daddy starts making up all sorts of wild stories to answer her other questions, as father and daughter strive, in this roundabout way, to better understand one another. The apple, ofc, does not fall far from the tree when Daddy turns the tables and points out that sometimes kids can be unfair, too.
While some of the humor and tone of the text feels like it perhaps does not translate perfectly from the Japanese to Anglophile Western culture, the illustrations were unfailingly perfect. Tho the line drawings are simple and cartoony, they expressively evoke the gamut of emotions felt by both father and daughter, from grumpiness and frustration to surprise and love. The book overall is a very good starting point to open up conversations between kids and their parents about any perceived injustices in their relationship.
So I was genuinely surprised when I offered this to my kids to read, and my youngest basically told me he couldn't relate, because he felt that the adults in his life were very fair. Not in so many words, ofc, as we're still working on his verbal skills, but he kept covering up the "un" in "unfair" while we were reading this together, before he abandoned the book entirely. I can't tell whether this means I ought to congratulate myself on building a relationship with my kid where he feels seen and respected, or whether I maybe let him get away with too much.
My middle child declined to read this altogether at first, but when I was taking a photo of this for my Instagram, he desperately wanted to get into the photo with me. I told him that he'd have to read the book with me afterwards, which we did with much gusto, taking turns doing the voices. His favorite part was apparently the bit about royalty, as he too is fond of looking after younger kids.
My eldest, a thirteen year-old who definitely has experience telling his parents that we're being unfair, probably liked the book best of all three kids, especially the part where the daughter tells her dad about her dreams. I was secretly relieved that he didn't pick the part where the daughter rightfully calls out her dad on being too busy for her while he's working, tho am also planning on referencing what dad says by way of explanation the next time my kids come clamoring while I'm at my PC. Tho in fairness, I'm almost never too busy to give out hugs and take minor breaks from whatever I'm reading or writing: the benefits of a lifetime working with a scattered, ADD-adjacent brain.
As a gentle way for kids and parents to start a conversation on the authority gap, this is a great, humorous start.
That's Not Fair by Shinsuke Yoshitake was published August 6 2024 by Chronicle Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
July 29, 2025
A father gives zany explanations when confronted by his daughter's complaints about how "adults are unfair."
Young readers will relate to the child's complaints, and parents will relate to the father's surprise and panic at having to answer unexpected questions from a child.
While I appreciated how the child was allowed to voice her perceptions of the world and that the parent turned by the tables on the child at the end by complaining that "children are unfair," I didn't care for this book. I am not one for wacky humor. And as a parent, I am also not as indulgent as the father in the story.
"Parents are unfair." Life is unfair. Get used to it. The role of a parent is to guide a child to become a functional and respectful adult, not to make sure that a child is happy and entertained 24 hours a day.
Why do children have an earlier bedtime than adults? Because children require more sleep than adults, and it is the duty of the parents to make sure their children have adequate sleep for their health and wellness. Also, adults often have to do off-the-clock work for their jobs and all the thankless housework after the children go to bed. They may even try to squeeze in some exercise or their hobbies.
Why do adults decide when children need baths? Because adults establish the household routines, and proper hygiene is important for one's health and social relationships.
Why do children have to eat vegetables? Because a healthy diet is critical for good health and cognitive function, and developing lifelong healthy eating habits begin in childhood.
Why do adults get to watch to the news when children want to watch children's programming 24/7? Because adults need to know what is happening locally and globally in order to be well informed and good citizens.
Why do adults tell children "I'm busy right now" or "later" when the children want them to stop and drop everything to do something with them or talk to them right now? Because sometimes adults are busy, and anything non-critical sometimes needs to wait until a good stopping point or the completion of a task. Being able to entertain oneself is a critical life skill; start cultivating it. Also, the least one is interrupted, the faster one is able to complete a task.
The child did have some valid complaints. For example, she criticized her father for telling her "Do whatever you want" when he is angry at her. That is not good parenting if it is a common response to her misbehavior. It is also a recipe for disaster, especially for easily disregulated children with poor impulse control, because children lack the prefrontal cortex development to understand sarcasm.
Likewise, his refusal go outside and play with her because he is busy watching tv is a prime example of uninvolved parenting or the refusal to parent. I have countless friends and acquaintances whose childhood memories of their fathers are of them sitting in a recliner in front of the tv whenever they weren't at work. Is that how this father wants his daughter to remember him? Is staring a tv, especially in a day and age when virtually every television series or movie is available on demand, more important than interacting with one's small child?
As to why adults will sometimes yell at children when they are mad, when adults are upset, they are more reactive, especially to sources of chronic frustration like toys left out all over the floor that need to be put away.
The illustrations were in pen and digital.
Young readers will relate to the child's complaints, and parents will relate to the father's surprise and panic at having to answer unexpected questions from a child.
While I appreciated how the child was allowed to voice her perceptions of the world and that the parent turned by the tables on the child at the end by complaining that "children are unfair," I didn't care for this book. I am not one for wacky humor. And as a parent, I am also not as indulgent as the father in the story.
"Parents are unfair." Life is unfair. Get used to it. The role of a parent is to guide a child to become a functional and respectful adult, not to make sure that a child is happy and entertained 24 hours a day.
Why do children have an earlier bedtime than adults? Because children require more sleep than adults, and it is the duty of the parents to make sure their children have adequate sleep for their health and wellness. Also, adults often have to do off-the-clock work for their jobs and all the thankless housework after the children go to bed. They may even try to squeeze in some exercise or their hobbies.
Why do adults decide when children need baths? Because adults establish the household routines, and proper hygiene is important for one's health and social relationships.
Why do children have to eat vegetables? Because a healthy diet is critical for good health and cognitive function, and developing lifelong healthy eating habits begin in childhood.
Why do adults get to watch to the news when children want to watch children's programming 24/7? Because adults need to know what is happening locally and globally in order to be well informed and good citizens.
Why do adults tell children "I'm busy right now" or "later" when the children want them to stop and drop everything to do something with them or talk to them right now? Because sometimes adults are busy, and anything non-critical sometimes needs to wait until a good stopping point or the completion of a task. Being able to entertain oneself is a critical life skill; start cultivating it. Also, the least one is interrupted, the faster one is able to complete a task.
The child did have some valid complaints. For example, she criticized her father for telling her "Do whatever you want" when he is angry at her. That is not good parenting if it is a common response to her misbehavior. It is also a recipe for disaster, especially for easily disregulated children with poor impulse control, because children lack the prefrontal cortex development to understand sarcasm.
Likewise, his refusal go outside and play with her because he is busy watching tv is a prime example of uninvolved parenting or the refusal to parent. I have countless friends and acquaintances whose childhood memories of their fathers are of them sitting in a recliner in front of the tv whenever they weren't at work. Is that how this father wants his daughter to remember him? Is staring a tv, especially in a day and age when virtually every television series or movie is available on demand, more important than interacting with one's small child?
As to why adults will sometimes yell at children when they are mad, when adults are upset, they are more reactive, especially to sources of chronic frustration like toys left out all over the floor that need to be put away.
The illustrations were in pen and digital.
July 29, 2024
Fans of Yoshitake will be thrilled to see another humorous picture book from him about the tribulations of childhood. A child approaches their father with some complaints: adults are unfair! Adults can stay up late while their kids have to go to bed early. Adults decide when kids take baths, they make kids eat green peas and forbid sweets before bedtime, and many more. The father offers off-the-wall reasons for everything. Going to bed early? It’s because Santa’s investigators come to check on whether the kid is asleep. Baths? Kids have to take them early or else the bath monsters will use up all the hot water. Green peas? Why, that’s what they eat in Jupiter, where you can explore some day. Kids will howl at the question about why her father always says, “I’m busy right now” – a full two page spread shows Dad emitting a giant fart if he moves, which “would be a disaster.”
The author’s pen and digital drawings really get the facial expressions right, with exaggerated disgruntlement on the kid’s face and righteous-explainer face on the dad, as he comes up with increasingly outrageous scenarios for why adults have to be in charge. Eventually, Dad capitulates and agrees that some things are unfair, but that kids can also be unfair. After he describes how the kid wakes him up when he has the day off, but he can’t wake the kid up when it’s time for school, it’s the child’s turn to invent a reason. They’re dreaming of a wizard that they’ll implore with the wish that their Daddy “stays healthy and keeps all his hair.” The dad’s facial response is hilarious.
The author’s pen and digital drawings really get the facial expressions right, with exaggerated disgruntlement on the kid’s face and righteous-explainer face on the dad, as he comes up with increasingly outrageous scenarios for why adults have to be in charge. Eventually, Dad capitulates and agrees that some things are unfair, but that kids can also be unfair. After he describes how the kid wakes him up when he has the day off, but he can’t wake the kid up when it’s time for school, it’s the child’s turn to invent a reason. They’re dreaming of a wizard that they’ll implore with the wish that their Daddy “stays healthy and keeps all his hair.” The dad’s facial response is hilarious.
November 13, 2024
As a parent, there are a thousand things that aren't fair, but that have to happen every day. And when you have to explain why, things can get challenging. Or boring. Personally, I try to be as honest as possible in this scenario. BUT. There are so many days when the prospect of explaining why the thing has to happen even though it isn't fair is too exhausting, or the explanation is simply too long for the time available, or I literally can think of no good explanation even through the thing has to happen.
And this book opens up some imaginative responses to many of the things in life that simply aren't fair. And I love that at the end, the positions reverse and the child must find an explanation for something that isn't fair in their favor. Ultimately life isn't fair. Sometimes there's a good reason, and sometimes there isn't, but either way why not make your life more interesting?
We could all use this imaginative exercise in our lives.
And this book opens up some imaginative responses to many of the things in life that simply aren't fair. And I love that at the end, the positions reverse and the child must find an explanation for something that isn't fair in their favor. Ultimately life isn't fair. Sometimes there's a good reason, and sometimes there isn't, but either way why not make your life more interesting?
We could all use this imaginative exercise in our lives.
February 1, 2025
Book 028 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
So I am a tad mopey today, so what an apt book for me to read and go harumph-pha-dumph to the world. Lol.
Of course, my circumstances for being mopey are way different from this character's who is sulking at being a kid who is told what to do and do it.
Will kinda bring you back to your childhood when you ranted and raved about wanting to be an adult.
The irony is that now that you are, many a time, you want to turn back the clock.
#book028of350 #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
So I am a tad mopey today, so what an apt book for me to read and go harumph-pha-dumph to the world. Lol.
Of course, my circumstances for being mopey are way different from this character's who is sulking at being a kid who is told what to do and do it.
Will kinda bring you back to your childhood when you ranted and raved about wanting to be an adult.
The irony is that now that you are, many a time, you want to turn back the clock.
#book028of350 #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
August 22, 2024
Adults can be unfair. With Yoshitake's singular humor, this picture book centers around a kid asking several questions about the unfairness of being a kid in an adult's world. "Why can't kids eat sweets before bed? Why do adults get to stay up late while kids have to go to sleep early?" I laughed out loud at every creative answer - this book plays with one's imagination and I was so excited to share this book with my kids. I always love the way Yoshitake delivers the message, making use of the hilarious moments and inspiring creative thinking. A witty balance between substance and fun. Highly recommend!
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Chronicle kids books . All opinions are my own ]
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Chronicle kids books . All opinions are my own ]
August 18, 2024
Love these books. This volume addresses the "Why" in a very creative way. In part of the book, the child asks the parent why this and that. Many (all) questions are relatable. It's a good opportunity for kids to get straight answers from their parents, unlike this little girl who gets the most fun, creative ones. Also, it is a good exercise to come up with other creative answers.
Plot twist, the parent also has some complaints to do. This was great because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as she is equally fun and creative with her answers.
Some double pages are hilarious.
Plot twist, the parent also has some complaints to do. This was great because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as she is equally fun and creative with her answers.
Some double pages are hilarious.
September 4, 2024
Like all Yoshitake books this one is relatable and humorizes a common childhood complaint of how things aren't fair. Loved the dad's excuses, but it made me chuckle when it is the kid's turn at the end.
Just fun
Just fun
April 18, 2020
As a Japanese language learner this book is really suitable. The picture is super cute, the story is funny (for me), and many new words can be learnt. I like all of his books (that I read) hehe.
October 6, 2024
Funny but thoughtful
I loved how it pointed out that yes, life isn't fair for kids (because they tell us all the time), but it's also not fair for adults.
I loved how it pointed out that yes, life isn't fair for kids (because they tell us all the time), but it's also not fair for adults.
October 16, 2024
I didn't like this book. The dad in the story is making up crazy things for all the rules his child has to follow.
January 30, 2025
Meh, a little funny but too much weird
February 8, 2025
This is very funny and very accurate. Dad is very creative in his answers.
March 9, 2025
I can see kids enjoying this one, I just didn't love the explanations the grownup gave - let's give kids some credit!
October 23, 2025
Partly a mismatch for my expectations, partly just not my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews