Look What I can Do

by José Aruego

Things get out of hand when two buffalo try to outdo each other in this almost-wordless picture book from Jose Arguego.

“Look what I can do!” “I can do it too!” And so begins a lively contest between two water buffalo that ends up being a bigger adventure than either of them had imagined!

This simple, nearly wordless picture book is one that the very youngest children will be eager to “read” all by themselves.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Jose Aruego's books for young readers have earned the applause of critics, teachers, librarians, and parents -- as well as the affection of children everywhere. Mr. Aruego's comic animals are immediately recognizable as they cavort through clear, vibrant landscapes, carrying out the action that the simple text has set in motion. It is a style one reviewer has termed illustrative mime.

Jose Aruego was born in the Philippines, where he studied law and became a member of the Bar. But after practicing briefly, he decided to come to the United States to study graphic arts and advertising at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After graduation, he worked in adver-tising before taking up the demanding job of cartooning for The Saturday Evening Post, The New Yorker, Look, and other magazines. Every Wednesday I would go to the cartoon editor with fifteen or sixteen drawings in hand, from which he might select one for publication. The tension was terrible, because selling cartoons was how I made my living. But I learned a lot from the rejected work, so it wasn't a waste.

The sink-or-swim experience of drawing cartoons was how I learned to make the most of a small amount of space. Both abilities have helped him in his career as a children's book author and illustrator, which he began with the publication of The King and His Friends in 1969.

Although he is known for his amusing characters, Jose Aruego takes writing and drawing for children very seriously. After more than three dozen books he feels he is still learning his craft and getting to know his audience. Each project teaches me something new and makes mea better artist. Each book brings me closer to children. From the popularity and appeal of Jose Aruego's books, it is obvious that he has both the artistic skill and the imagination to reach the world of children. His work has a distinctive rhythm, and his humorous animal characters have a gaiety and playfulness that children adore.

I have found from making appearances at schools that when kids draw for themselves, most of them like to make funny pictures. So I show them how to draw an alligator. It's a simple drawing and the teachers tell me that after my visit, Aruego alligators show up all over the school.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two buffalo get more than they bargained for when a game of "anything you can do I can do better" leads to unexpected consequences.

Cute story, with fun illustrations by the author.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes an unexpected turn and I GASPED.

[Sandra Sy]

"Look What I Can Do" by Jose Aruego was published in 1971 and is a wordless book that is great for 1st and 2nd graders. The story is about two buffalo who try to show off their talents and they embark on an unexpected journey. Wordless books are a wonderful tool for students to express their imagination and creativity. The illustrations are an outlet for students to tell the story from their own perspective. Students can read this book aloud to each other and then come together as a class to get everyone's ideas.

[Phoenix Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book that is mainly pictures but also the child can tell their own story which teaches the child a proper way to hold a book and to read left to right on the page. The book also has very good illustrations that you can actually tell what is happening throughout the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can water buffalo dance? More to the point, *should* they? Let your little one 'read' this story, and then tell you what s/he thinks.

(btw, author counts for Philippines AAPI diversity)

openlibrary.org

[Zoe Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is extremely simple with a lot of pictures. It would be great for kids in preschool or even kindergarten. It doesn’t really have an overall main idea, but its a silly book that kids will love.

[Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jose Aruego is a drawing genius. Simple strokes but ample emotion. Love it!

[Eva Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I'd say I can read every word in this one but you know what? It's almost all pictures! HA! And it's got drawings too, of elks or something like cows with horns. But I DID read all the words. The best part was the cows jumping off the cliff into the river and swimming away. But when they try to be pushy at the end that's ENOUGH!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless picture book for kindergarten at the start of the school year. Will help to build confidence and knowledge of how to readers build good habits. PreK-K

[Jessica]

Can't wait to read this with my 6 year old. It is a part of our "Teaching your Child to Read in a 100 Easy Lessons" curriculum.

[Angela Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, silly way to introduce a sensible moral.

[Rebeca Whitecotton]

This book is a wordless book. This would be good for students to help them take pictures from books and put them into words. This allows for students to be able to use their imaginations, and to build their stories however they want to as there is no right or wrong answer.

[Erika]

This picture book would be a good read for primary students. It was about these two oxen that were comparing their abilities and they were trying to do something that the other could not and they got so caught up in what they were trying to do better, that they fell off a cliff. Once they got to shore another oxen tried to show them what he could do, but they stopped him before he did. This just shows you that you need to be who you are and not try and compare yourself to others.