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Another Important Book: A Joyful Rhyming Picture Book About Celebrating Milestones for Kids
In a playful voice that is uniquely Margaret Wise Brown's comes this delightful picture book about just what it means to be six, five, four, three, one, two, and "most importantly" you. Caldecott Honor Medalist Chris Raschka's innovative illustrations burst with energy and dance along with Brown's whimsical verses of discovery. " Energetic artwork and vivacious verse delineate the wonders children discover and the milestones they reach, from ages one to six. A joyful book with a timeless theme," said School Library Journal . Another Important Book is an invitation to celebrate toddlerhood. Turn the pages to celebrate exactly what's so important about some of the most important ages of a child's life. This is the never-before-published companion to one of Margaret Wise Brown's most beloved children's books of all time, The Important Book. The Important thing
about being One
is that life
has just begun.
about being One
is that life
has just begun.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Wise Brown
393 books1,212 followersMargaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Even though she died nearly 70 years ago, her books still sell very well.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 9, 2019
Ironically speaking, while in Margaret Wise Brown's (original) The Important Book I absolutely do love Leonard Weisgard's aesthetically gorgeous, marvellously descriptive illustrations, the author's, Margaret Wise Brown's featured text does to and for me on a both personal and educational level present itself as rather presumptive and considerably too preachy (especially with regard to what the author believes and claims is important and essential about the various objects depicted and described), I have found pretty much the exact opposite to be the case with Another Important Book (appearing in 1999 with a text seemingly gleaned from Margaret Wise Brown's posthumous archive of not previously published work, and with accompanying pictures by Chris Raschka).
For while in Another Important Book (and in my humble opinion) Margaret Wise Brown absolutely and sweetly, evocatively, as well as rhythmically and with both much fun and education celebrates young children growing up, learning new things, reaching important developmental milestones, I can and will only shake my head with and in frustrated annoyance at Chris Raschka's artwork, at his pictures of young children which although colourful and bright look to and for my personal aesthetic and visual tastes as generally unrealistic and often physically misshapen, looking like strange caricatures of children and instead of mirroring Margaret Wise Brown's verses, Chris Raschka's illustrations seem to rather depict young children as physically strange and even rather incomplete looking.
Three stars for Another Important Book but without Chris Raschka's to and for my eyes so visually annoying illustrations (or with pictures not so exaggerated and strangely abstract human figure wise), I would definitely be considering Margaret Wise Brown's engaging and enchanting child development stages poem with four stars.
For while in Another Important Book (and in my humble opinion) Margaret Wise Brown absolutely and sweetly, evocatively, as well as rhythmically and with both much fun and education celebrates young children growing up, learning new things, reaching important developmental milestones, I can and will only shake my head with and in frustrated annoyance at Chris Raschka's artwork, at his pictures of young children which although colourful and bright look to and for my personal aesthetic and visual tastes as generally unrealistic and often physically misshapen, looking like strange caricatures of children and instead of mirroring Margaret Wise Brown's verses, Chris Raschka's illustrations seem to rather depict young children as physically strange and even rather incomplete looking.
Three stars for Another Important Book but without Chris Raschka's to and for my eyes so visually annoying illustrations (or with pictures not so exaggerated and strangely abstract human figure wise), I would definitely be considering Margaret Wise Brown's engaging and enchanting child development stages poem with four stars.
February 23, 2021
Although Margaret Wise Brown is one of our fave children's authors, we liked some of her other books much better.
May 20, 2019
3.5 STARS
I liked it much better than The Important Book. MWB really did spotlight several of the milestones and crowning features of each age group while still leaving it a bit open-ended and celebrating the uniqueness of each child. I felt that this was very much in her original style and a work that could easily have been published during her lifetime so I was surprised to find that it was yet another posthumous one. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations.
I liked it much better than The Important Book. MWB really did spotlight several of the milestones and crowning features of each age group while still leaving it a bit open-ended and celebrating the uniqueness of each child. I felt that this was very much in her original style and a work that could easily have been published during her lifetime so I was surprised to find that it was yet another posthumous one. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations.
July 22, 2019
Better than the first book because less presumptive, more effective at simply being celebratory. Also the illustrations weren't as bad as I feared (I've detested Raschka's other works). Some audiences will love it. Many children will love the mirror - my youngest loved his reflection more than he loved anyone but me, it seemed.
May 8, 2019
A rhyming picture book by the revered Margaret Wise Brown, published posthumously. The text reads as if she wasn't quite finished with revisions. Children grow and develop at different rates, though there are identifiable stages, which are described in this book and assigned to specific ages. The children in the illustrations appear odd, and in unnatural positions.
May 23, 2012
I use The Important Book as a springboard for my students to write. I have been doing that for years.
Today I looked for that book on my bookshelf and could not find it. I am certain it is at home and not at school. I then thought to check the school library. The school does not have it, but it does have this book, which I never knew existed until today.
I went down and checked out the book. While the book does not really fit for the writing project I use the other book for, Another Important Book is the perfect book to complement another writing project I complete with my students.
We read the story Eleven by Sandra Cisneros. I read up through the where Rachel gets the sweater placed on her desk. We then use this as a speculative prompt. Students write two failed attempts of trying to get rid of the sweater and one successful attempt. Once the students have their say, we return to the story and I read how Cisneros solved the problem.
One of the things I have learned over the years using this story is that students struggle with the idea that when you turn 11, you also have all the emotions from when you were 10, 9, 8, etc. For some reason, some students don't quite understand that. Cisneros illustrates the point with when you are scared, that's like when you were five.
Well, enter Another Important Day. This book, written for younger children, simply highlights what is important about being 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I was able to successfully take the students up to being 11 and that they still have those important things from when they were younger. I will use this from now on to teach that concept.
Today I looked for that book on my bookshelf and could not find it. I am certain it is at home and not at school. I then thought to check the school library. The school does not have it, but it does have this book, which I never knew existed until today.
I went down and checked out the book. While the book does not really fit for the writing project I use the other book for, Another Important Book is the perfect book to complement another writing project I complete with my students.
We read the story Eleven by Sandra Cisneros. I read up through the where Rachel gets the sweater placed on her desk. We then use this as a speculative prompt. Students write two failed attempts of trying to get rid of the sweater and one successful attempt. Once the students have their say, we return to the story and I read how Cisneros solved the problem.
One of the things I have learned over the years using this story is that students struggle with the idea that when you turn 11, you also have all the emotions from when you were 10, 9, 8, etc. For some reason, some students don't quite understand that. Cisneros illustrates the point with when you are scared, that's like when you were five.
Well, enter Another Important Day. This book, written for younger children, simply highlights what is important about being 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I was able to successfully take the students up to being 11 and that they still have those important things from when they were younger. I will use this from now on to teach that concept.
November 4, 2008
"No!" said my daughter in response to this book's claim that "the important thing about being Four is that you are bigger than you were before." She protested adamantly. "That's not the most important thing! The most important thing is that we love everyone and love God!" Thus, reading children's books to my daughter has turned into a regular sermon. As for the book – mostly uninspiring. I don't even much care for the pictures.
December 27, 2017
Super dislike the illustrations on this one and there are better books out there that deal with concepts (especially numbers) and growing up - plus the rhythm was off on the rhyme which makes it difficult to read aloud without stumbling.
October 8, 2011
A tribute to growing children that showcases the special things about being One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six years old. Fun illustrations.
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March 20, 2019Another Important Book is a fun, rhythmic book that will no doubt make you tap your foot as you read it. It talks about the importance of being you at all times, and not wishing away certain parts of your life, because you only get that once. It includes ages one through six.
I liked this book a lot, the rhythm of each page was really fun to read. It was as if there was clapping going on in my head as I read each line. I loved the watercolor shapes that the illustrator, Chris Raschka, used to make each page pop. My favorite part of the book is the last few pages when it says, “But the important thing about Five Six Four Three One And Two is that you are you.” Then immediately after the there is a mirror to show your face as if you are a part of this book.
I would use this book in my classroom in two ways. The first way as a character building lesson. I would show the students that we should not be wishing away our lives, even if the age you are now seems unimportant. Each year of our lives are crucial and all just as important as the next, shaping you into the person you are now. The second way I would use this book is, to study rhyme schemes and the importance of them.
I liked this book a lot, the rhythm of each page was really fun to read. It was as if there was clapping going on in my head as I read each line. I loved the watercolor shapes that the illustrator, Chris Raschka, used to make each page pop. My favorite part of the book is the last few pages when it says, “But the important thing about Five Six Four Three One And Two is that you are you.” Then immediately after the there is a mirror to show your face as if you are a part of this book.
I would use this book in my classroom in two ways. The first way as a character building lesson. I would show the students that we should not be wishing away our lives, even if the age you are now seems unimportant. Each year of our lives are crucial and all just as important as the next, shaping you into the person you are now. The second way I would use this book is, to study rhyme schemes and the importance of them.
March 1, 2023
I discovered this book and was thrilled to see a collaboration between Margaret Wise Brown and Chris Raschka. The rhyming narrative is lyrical and fun to read aloud. The illustrations, created using watercolor, ink, and oil sticks, feature a diverse group of children dancing all across the pages. Overall, I think this book would be great to read aloud with a child.
March 10, 2018
The story itself is just okay. But the mirror at the end of the book is fantastic! I love how excited my littlest students get when they see themselves in it. At that moment, they aren't just listening to a book, they are a part of an important book. It's fascinating to see their facial expressions. I love the reveal. It's so cute!
January 27, 2020
This book is about all the great things a child can do and learns as they grow older. The last page is a mirror to highlight the importance of individuals! It has a rhyme scheme that younger children would enjoy. It details the life from 1-6, so I think it would be a good read-aloud for kindergarteners to hear and then talk about all they can do!
May 19, 2025
The thin skein of text is barely interesting enough for a single read aloud. The illustrations are even less interesting. I don't understand why the reader should be expected to turn page after page of little blobs representing preschoolers. I don't understand why anyone would call this "Another Important Book." It's not.
February 11, 2019
This is a short and sweet story. The story describes ages one through six as important periods and the highlights of each age. I really enjoyed the overall message of the book. The mirror at the end is an excellent touch.
August 30, 2019
Posthumously published, the text of this book still has Brown's simple appealing cadence, livened up with Chris Raschka's art, which brings a modern feel to words that my brain wants to read nostalgically.
January 11, 2021
Well, oh my gosh! I love this book! I’m a full-grown woman and couldn’t wait to find out about three and four and more! I will be buying this for all my young nieces and nephews!!! What a fun book about enjoying each year, having something to look forward to and reflect on, even at a young age!
November 10, 2025
This book is all about growing up and being yourself. It talks about a child at the ages 1-6 and talks about all the things that you learn. At the very end it tells you that the most important thing is to be yourself.
December 12, 2017
The author works through ages 1-5 starting at one and heading up to five. Each year is repeated so it becomes predictable for the reader and the rhyming helps with the understanding as well.
February 23, 2018
Goes over the important things about being age one, two, three, four, five, and six and all the different things you can do or learn at these different ages.
June 21, 2018
Not as good as the first
July 30, 2018
Discover the important things about being one, two, three, four, five, six and you!
August 31, 2019
Through simple rhyme and free-flowing illustrations, the reader sees what's so important in this book ... growing, learning, and being.
November 20, 2019
Use this book to teach rhyming to children and counting. Great illustrations.
February 8, 2021
The important thing about
Five Six Four Three One and Two
is that you are YOU.
Five Six Four Three One and Two
is that you are YOU.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2021
Cute!
January 21, 2022
This precious book perfectly encapsulates the wonders children discover as they age from years 0ne through 6.
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July 7, 2023the mirror in the back is the perfect touch omg
February 29, 2024
Another great book, by Margaret Wise Brown.
I thought it was catchy, meaningful, and clever.
I thought it was catchy, meaningful, and clever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews