Russell's Secret

Riverside Kids #15

by Johanna Hurwitz, Heather Maione (Illustrator)

A little boy's dream of skipping school and staying home like his baby sister isn't as great as he expected when he suddenly finds himself being treated like an infant himself.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Johanna Hurwitz is an American author of more than sixty children's books. She has sold millions of books in many different languages.

Reviews

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

3.5 - Julia and I both agree that this is one of the better books we've read together lately. The illustrations are appealing while not overbearing and an eyesore. The story line is relatable to just about any kid - except for mine of course as of yet - because she loves school. Just about any adult or child can relate to not wanting to go to school for a day.
In here the little boy Russell decides he wants to stay home and be a baby like his little sister. Russell apparently thought he'd get the 'staying home' part with none of the bad 'baby' parts. He thought wrong. Very wrong.
Everything from breakfast to not watching t.v., from not playing with legos (too small!) to having to be in a crib, was all 'baby'. Soon Russell realize being a baby isn't all it's cracked up to be and asks to go to school. When he gets to school and is questioned by his classmates as to his lateness, he says "It's a secret."
The title really doesn't match the book IMO. That's the only relation to anything being a secret and I can think of 12 different, better (IMO) titles right off the top of my head. But that's not worth changing a rating IMO.
This could be used to show an older child that being a baby is great - for a baby. And that going to school isn't something to be mad about, it's a privilege.

[Gianna Mosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atticus really thought this was a funny premise, because he often wants to squirrel out of school. I think a lot of the emphasis on babydom was about food, but I think the message was a well translated one for the age group.

[Lynne Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for children

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

A four-year-old wants to stay home from school (a 4-yr-old!) and is told he can't because he's not a baby. When he says he wants to be a baby so he could stay home, his mother allows him only to make her point. She doesn't let him do anything beyond his baby sister's level.
My complaints of this book: (1) Not every 4-year-old needs to be rushed off to school, and (2) they certainly don't need to be criticized if they prefer to be home. (3) I didn't care for the pj pants slipped down too low on one page.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the cover would make you think that Russell's secret is something dark and devious, it's actually a story about a boy who doesn't want to go to school that day and instead stay home like when he was a baby. Of course, his mom says that if he wants it to be like when he was a baby that means taking naps and eating baby food! Oddly enough, Russell decides that he will, in fact, go to preschool that day!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell doesn't want to go to school; he thinks it sounds like more fun to stay home like he did when he was a baby. So...he does, but his mom treats him like a baby, which isn't so much fun.

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was funny as a parent.

[Stacy Kirkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a 4 year old boy who doesn't want to be a big boy today. He wants to stay home from school and do what babies do. He soon finds out that he has quite outgrown being a baby.

[Sara Lemonade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long and boring, and the mom in this is kinda mean.