Weird Parents

by Audrey Wood

A boy must contend with his weird parents--a mother who puts a hard-boiled egg with rabbit ears and whiskers in his lunchbox and a father who asks the boy to imitate a chicken in public. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 1990

About the author

Audrey Wood studied art and drama at the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has owned an operated a book and import store, taught chldren's drama and art, and traveled throughout Mexico and Guatemala studying Indian folk art. She now lives in Hawaii with her talented family (husband Don and son Bruce, who have both collaborated with Audrey by illustrating some of her books).

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Weird Parents” is another classic book from the famed children’s author…..AUDREY WOOD!!!! This book humorously narrates the story of a boy’s attempts at trying to get used to his parents’ awkward ways with society. Audrey Wood’s hilarious story and even more hilarious illustrations make this book a true comedic and sitcom book.

Audrey Wood has truly been successful in her children’s books and “Weird Parents” is certainly no exception. Audrey Wood explores the trials of what every child goes through whenever they have parents who embarrassed them in public, but in the end, understands that their parents really do care about them no matter how weird they are. Also, Audrey Wood’s illustrations are humorous and surreal as she illustrates everyone in public as regular looking people while the weird parents have loud and colorful clothing and wobbly limbs. The image that really stood out the most in this book was the image of the weird parents reading their son a scary book inside the tent and their eyes are wide with fright while the boy just sits with them with a contented look on his face. This image shows that the narrator, the little boy, finally comes to terms with his parents’ oddness in society and realizes that his parents do in fact love him no matter how weird they are.

“Weird Parents” is an excellent book about respecting your parents’ individuality and learning the true meaning of parental love for a child, despite them occasionally embarrassing you in public. For parents who want to teach their children about parental love, this book is certainly appropriate for children ages four and over and will surely be another cult classic from Audrey Wood.



Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia didn't like this and she was quite clear about it. I thought it was okay and I think the reason she didn't care for it is because she's not embarrassed by me... yet. She will be soon enough but she couldn't relate.
I don't think this is targeted at children very much older - it is age appropriate which sounds weird. Maybe I'm just extra cool or something. ;-)

[Alisha Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell you how badly I wish this was still in print. I loved it as a child and now my son does too.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We found a Netflix treat: we just watched Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, which features animated adaptations of children's storybooks with celebrity narrators. This story was narrated by Bette Midler and we just loved the format. It reminded us of the Tumblebooks animations that we occasionally watch online. As the book is narrated, we followed along with a slightly animated version of the illustrations. It was very entertaining and we really enjoyed watching all of the episodes on the DVD.

This story was very funny, and I think that parents and children can appreciate the humor. Parents often embarrass their children, perhaps not quite to the extent that these parents do, but enough to mortify kids, especially in front of their friends. I liked that the ending shows that children and parents still love each other, no matter how goofy we act. We laughed a lot while watching this segment and I promised to try to not embarrass our girls too much.

[McKenna Russell]

This is a book about a little boy who claims he has really weird parents. He goes on throughout the story talking about how his parents are weird and gives the different examples of what they have done. There are times that his weird mom will pack him something weird in his lunch or his weird dad would pick him up from school saying weird things and embarrassing him. As he goes on to explain his parents and everything they do, he gets to the end and says that no matter how weird his parents are they are always going to be his parents. The characters in the story include the little boy and his two parents. The little boy is a pretty normal little boy while his parents are a little bit different, which he describes as weird. His parents wear crazy outfits and crazy hairstyles and are very loud and outgoing to everyone in public. They definitely do not care if they are seen and are proud of who they are. The text structure is pretty similar to most picture books and have images across the whole page with words on either the top or bottom half of it. The characterization includes a lot of good description of each parent and even the little boys thoughts and opinions of them. The illustrations are really colorful and well done. There is so much color on each page, especially for each of the parent’s crazy outfits. I really like that the book is super colorful and has a lot of funny descriptions about the characters. I also like the story of the book and how at the end it states that no matter how weird someone’s parents are, they are always going to be their parents and they love you unconditionally. I could use this in my classroom to help teach my students about accepting our differences and that it is okay to be weird sometimes. This might be something that is brought up in my class throughout the year or maybe if I hear my students calling each other that in a mean way rather than accepting it and being okay with it. I personally am pretty weird, so I think it is really cool and fun to see a book about the same qualities.

[Juleth Ballesteros · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Weird Parents by Audrey Wood is a funny and silly book! This is a great book for children around the ages of 5-7. This book talks about how this mother would do things that would embarrass the kid but she would not do it on purpose that's just the way she would express her love to him. He didn't understand that this was her way of showing love, he thought it was weird the things his parents did like put on weird hats and comb their hair in a weird way and he would be embarrassed. But even though the parents did “weird things” he still loved them. The book's message is great and it's a way to show kids that even if their parents do silly or weird things they love them unconditionally and the kids will always love their parents too! My kid loved this book, he thought it was funny and loved to see all the silly things the parents would do, he also loved pointing out things he knew like animals or toys. He loved the book and I'm sure yours will too!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a cute book. my kids enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to others.

[Jessica Burstrem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book that I couldn't bear to part with even once my son grew out of it. A kid is ambivalent about his weird parents. I think they're fantastic, of course, and strive to be like them. ;)

[Caroline Herfindahl]

Our parents are certainly the weirdest of all the parents aren’t they?

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Embarrassed of parents but still love them and their weird ways.

[Haela C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny book about appreciating quirks and loving true selves

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how the story showed the positive aspects of having weird parents

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book, a little boy has strange parents. His mother calls him pet names and blows kisses at the bus stop. His father walks him home from school and has to stop and greet everyone along the way. And they BOTH wear the weirdest outfits when they go out for movie nights! They also have fun though, like going for ice cream and playing double Parcheesi. With its focus on loving our families in spite of their individual quirks, this book is relatable for readers big and small.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird Parents is a moralistic tale that is easily made relatable to young readers through Audrey Wood’s use of characterization and word choice. The vocabulary is more complicated and challenges beginning readers to utilize their developing literacy skills. There is no specific rhyme or pattern in the story, however the repetition of certain phonemes, such as the ”w” sound, reinforces the reader’s understanding of the sound within various words and in conjunction with the overall text. The true benefit of this book lies within the morals and lessons that it presents. The young boy is learning to appreciate the uniqueness of his parents and to accept them for who they are. This book could certainly be extended into many lessons about acceptance, family, and values at any age level because of the morals that Wood presents through her simple text. The development of the characters and their personality traits, that are built up and maintained throughout the story, adds to the overall effectiveness of the book and makes it easily relatable for children of all ages.
The illustrations that accompany the text are very fitting and appropriate for the story. Audrey uses colored pencils, watercolor, pen and ink to add intricate details to all of the images and give the characters life. Much detail and attention is paid to the facial expressions and features of each of the characters, which attributes to the characterization that she incorporates in her text. The elaborate patterns and details of the clothing add a great contrast to the more subtle and simple background settings in each of the images. The vibrant colors lend to the upbeat and eccentric characteristics of the parents in the story, and draw in readers. The images themselves tell a story independent from the text, and could certainly be extended off of, such as adding to, substituting, or creating a different illustration, to enhance the learning and understanding of readers. This story is very beneficial to readers of all ages because of the moralistic undertones and the use of bright and highly detailed illustrations that draw in readers and further their comprehension of the story.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird Parents by Audrey Wood is a story that encompasses the hilariousness of being a young child and thinking your parents are ridiculously embarrassing with the sentimental knowing of the love that parents share for their children and vise versa. The story focuses on a boy and how "weird" his parents are. He points out ways in which his parents act weird and identifies the ways in which he is different from them. Through many different examples and explanations, the reader begins to think that perhaps his parents are ""weird" but at the end of the story, the narrator, which is the son of the parents, realizes that although is parents may be "weird" he loves them and would not have them any other way. This story is important because it focuses on the idea of children thinking their parents are different from them. It also identifies the love a boy has for his mother and his father. The son in the story is an only child as well. The story is rather short but overall encourages the idea that no matter who your parents are of what your parents act like, it is important to love them for who they are.

[Storytime Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for any child because it shows them that everyone can experience that time where they are embarassed of their parents. It also shows them that no matter what, their parents will always be there for them and sometimes the “weird parents” are the best ones to have.The illustrations, also done by Audrey Wood, are very colorful and detailed. The expressions of the characters really bring the book to life, along with all the detailed settings she has drawn for the book. So, if you are looking for some laughs to read with your child, along with a great lesson learner, check out this book. It’s one not to be forgotten.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a little boy who tries to accept his parent's weird ways. The little boy sees his parents through a lens that the society around him sees them through. With their weird outfits and weird ways of packing a lunch, weird ways to show affection, etc. After the main character wishes his parents were normal "just like everyone else" he discovers that he would not have it any other way. This can relate to children if they are ever embarrassed about anything in their own lives whether it be their family members or themselves. What's important is the journey of acceptance that this character experiences. This story falls under the Humor and Fiction genres.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid, we all have had that moment when we wish our parents were different and maybe a little weird. I think this book could be used as a writing prompt. Write about a time when a friend or family member acted different than you did, but you did not care because they were still your friend or your family members. The emotions the boy in the story feels are displayed in the pictures, but not in the words, which leaves room for conversations about emotions and how sometimes other people's actions make us feel a certain way.

[Kathryn Sublett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be great for children of all ages. Sometimes students need to be reminded of the love their parents have for them. Educators could use this book to prepare students for a writing assignment about their parents. I had some students in first grade disgusted when their parents tried to give them a kiss goodbye, so they acted out by talking disrespectfully to their parents. Using this book could help students realize their parents are not out to get them.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

We like the Napping House, but loved Weird Parents. I wasn't so sure when we checked this out - often fun titles lead to really dumb books. But- the illustrations are cute, the text- funny and well-placed and true. With a lesson to boot. This book would be enjoyable to read again and again, with toddlers or teenagers. Five stars!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, who can't relate to this. It's about exactly what it's titled. A boy who thinks his parents are weird and let's face it these parents are weird. The dad in this story reminds me of Art Garfunkle. Don't you youngsters even bother asking me who Art Garfunkle is.

[Amanda Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be used for any elementary school class. I would use it to helps students realize how their parents love them. Also, how they should love and respect their parents. This could be used at the end if the year before students make thank you cards or holiday cards for their parents.

[Michelle Burton]

I was looking for a good read alound for my students and discovered in my media center. I always loved books by Audrey and Don Wood and this was a gem. I read it to some third graders to help with visualization and they really loved it.

[Magila · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I liked this book. It has a good object lesson about how kids always seem to think their patents are weird. But I wasn't at all in love with it. The bright colors and illustrations win my wife over. Me, I say grab this one at the library.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can tell young children don't think their parents weird, that doesn't happen until middle school, I guess, or high school. But we parents need reassurance that we're not doing it all wrong. It's a great book for that.

[Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and sweet

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't like the art that much, but the kids like it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because we all have weird parents

[D.shelton]

I bought this book for my children

[Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book puts almost every kids idea of what it's like to be in public with your parents all in one. It's hilarious. I love hillarious books.