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Guess Again!
Here is a book that will keep you guessing again and again and...
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2009
About the author
Mac Barnett
114 books1,558 followersBorn to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
February 8, 2017
I gave it five stars the first time I read it, last year (?). And a reread, even though I know the principle/ gimmick, still warrants the 5 stars. The thing is, it's not just funny, but it can rewire your brain if you let it. In a good way. Makes you rethink the value of rhymes, of picture-books with predictive structure, etc.
My 62 yo husband was annoyed. He felt tricked. Not amused.
My 21 yo son is taking a video of it right now to send to his friend. He says it's weird and interesting. He says "it teaches you not to make assumptions." stammer, giggle "But assumptions are a useful tool sometimes... it's just a weird book." thinks about it for awhile ""I think it's good that it's different from most kids' picture-books. That gets kind of boring." thinks some more "Although as a kid I might have thought that the end was kind of cheating. But that's the point."
I just wish it were longer....
........
Another read. Still loving it. I don't want to memorize it, because the surprise is probably the biggest part of the fun. But even this read I did remember one of the puzzles and I still felt that frisson of joy.
Still reminds me of the other very simple picture book that I can read to myself over & over and highly recommend, Press Here. Both mess with expectations, both can draw out one's giggly inner child.
My 62 yo husband was annoyed. He felt tricked. Not amused.
My 21 yo son is taking a video of it right now to send to his friend. He says it's weird and interesting. He says "it teaches you not to make assumptions." stammer, giggle "But assumptions are a useful tool sometimes... it's just a weird book." thinks about it for awhile ""I think it's good that it's different from most kids' picture-books. That gets kind of boring." thinks some more "Although as a kid I might have thought that the end was kind of cheating. But that's the point."
I just wish it were longer....
........
Another read. Still loving it. I don't want to memorize it, because the surprise is probably the biggest part of the fun. But even this read I did remember one of the puzzles and I still felt that frisson of joy.
Still reminds me of the other very simple picture book that I can read to myself over & over and highly recommend, Press Here. Both mess with expectations, both can draw out one's giggly inner child.
October 28, 2009
He steals carrots from the neighbor's yard.
His hair is soft, his teeth are hard.
His floppy ears are long and funny.
Can you guess who? That's right! My
[turn the page:]
Grandpa Ned.
This book will KILL at a kindergarten storytime. But first, let me address something. There are a batch of reviews on Amazon written by parents of two-year-olds, and in those reviews, those parents are a bit up in arms about the way that this book misled their children. "It seems somewhat odd that we parents spend so much time teaching our kids to think logically, do puzzles, problem solve, etc. out comes this book that sort of throws them off by giving them the completely unexpected," reads one.
YES. Humor is what separate kids from little kids, and subversion of expectations is one of the fundaments of humor. You ever notice how little kids can't make up jokes? Until small children develop a basic vocabulary of expectations and consequences, they don't really understand humor. Although - don't email me - they are certainly funny people. And laugh at funny things. It's just that they're busy populating their cause-and-effect encyclopedia, and when you get in the way of that, they don't. like it. I remember being extremely pissed off at Pippi Longstocking (and ooh, that's a nice edition of Pippi, illustrated by Lauren Child? Match made in heaven!) when I was very small, because what she did just DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
But once they are well on their way to getting a firm grasp on what you can expect from the universe, you get a little leeway. Bark, Georgeis my favorite example of a funny book for a three-year-old. It's the first book of subverted expectations that a little kid will "get". The vet asks puppy George to bark, and George says "Quack." And the three year old's face goes "OH MY GOD. YOU GUYS! Did you see that? That's MESSED. UP! Dogs don't say 'quack,' they're supposed to say 'woof'! And he says 'quack' because there's a duck down his throat! How did that duck get down there! HUMOR!!! Wow my mind is totally blown right now. Read it again."
I paraphrase, of course. But little kids are like Mork, I swear. Mork would NOT GET Guess Again!. But a six-year old, and certainly a seven year old? Will.
(Oh crap did I forget to compliment the art? I love the art. It's Adam Rex, people. Composition, color, watercolor technique, expression... Adam Rex can paint an argyle sweater and give it personality and depth.)
more like this on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/
His hair is soft, his teeth are hard.
His floppy ears are long and funny.
Can you guess who? That's right! My
[turn the page:]
Grandpa Ned.
This book will KILL at a kindergarten storytime. But first, let me address something. There are a batch of reviews on Amazon written by parents of two-year-olds, and in those reviews, those parents are a bit up in arms about the way that this book misled their children. "It seems somewhat odd that we parents spend so much time teaching our kids to think logically, do puzzles, problem solve, etc. out comes this book that sort of throws them off by giving them the completely unexpected," reads one.
YES. Humor is what separate kids from little kids, and subversion of expectations is one of the fundaments of humor. You ever notice how little kids can't make up jokes? Until small children develop a basic vocabulary of expectations and consequences, they don't really understand humor. Although - don't email me - they are certainly funny people. And laugh at funny things. It's just that they're busy populating their cause-and-effect encyclopedia, and when you get in the way of that, they don't. like it. I remember being extremely pissed off at Pippi Longstocking (and ooh, that's a nice edition of Pippi, illustrated by Lauren Child? Match made in heaven!) when I was very small, because what she did just DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
But once they are well on their way to getting a firm grasp on what you can expect from the universe, you get a little leeway. Bark, Georgeis my favorite example of a funny book for a three-year-old. It's the first book of subverted expectations that a little kid will "get". The vet asks puppy George to bark, and George says "Quack." And the three year old's face goes "OH MY GOD. YOU GUYS! Did you see that? That's MESSED. UP! Dogs don't say 'quack,' they're supposed to say 'woof'! And he says 'quack' because there's a duck down his throat! How did that duck get down there! HUMOR!!! Wow my mind is totally blown right now. Read it again."
I paraphrase, of course. But little kids are like Mork, I swear. Mork would NOT GET Guess Again!. But a six-year old, and certainly a seven year old? Will.
(Oh crap did I forget to compliment the art? I love the art. It's Adam Rex, people. Composition, color, watercolor technique, expression... Adam Rex can paint an argyle sweater and give it personality and depth.)
more like this on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/
March 2, 2019
This humorous rhyming picture book from Mac Barnett and Adam Rex - the author/illustrator team who collaborated on the surreally amusing
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
- will keep young children guessing - continually setting up expectations, only to pull the rug out from under the reader's feet. "He steals carrots from the neighbors' yard." (it begins) "His hair is soft, his teeth are hard. / His floppy ears are long and funny. / Can you guess who? That's right! My..." With such a set up, and the accompanying black silhouette outline from Rex, the reader might expect the answer to be "Bunny." But... Guess Again!
I enjoyed this unusual little book, and thank my friend Chandra (who is a real Adam Rex aficionado) for recommending it! The rhymes work well - so well that their interruption is particularly effective - the illustrations, whether silhouette or full color, are amusing, and the design, which includes some flaps, is geared toward reader interaction. I suspect that younger readers will find Guess Again! an immensely entertaining reading adventure, giggling as the answers are revealed!
I enjoyed this unusual little book, and thank my friend Chandra (who is a real Adam Rex aficionado) for recommending it! The rhymes work well - so well that their interruption is particularly effective - the illustrations, whether silhouette or full color, are amusing, and the design, which includes some flaps, is geared toward reader interaction. I suspect that younger readers will find Guess Again! an immensely entertaining reading adventure, giggling as the answers are revealed!
December 2, 2012
At age 6 I would have loved this book, especially on rereading. As it was, I got a couple chuckles out of it, and I read it only once. I would have liked it better (now and then) if it had more pages. As is, it felt rather slight to me. Kids who know the book will have fun sharing it with others not yet in the know. To tell the truth, given the author-illustrator duo, I was expecting a bit more, but it was funny and clever, and certainly different.
November 6, 2021
WHAT A TWIST. Iconic.
May 10, 2011
Mac Barnett's Guess Again! has the improbable pattern of establishing what the reader imagines as a standard rhyming book and breaks expectations in the best possible way. The book was such a hit that I read it to students before it was even processed.
As a testament of its value to the audience, I'd like to give an example from last Wednesday. A second grader, after hearing it, put a note in the book to ensure being in line to borrow it. He visited the library at each recess, looking for it to be ready, but it was nowhere to be found. After I spent several days of scouting while he followed around with an increasingly sad demeanor, I finally located it and passed it on to his teacher. I quote a parental email from the very next day:
"Thank you also for taking the time to give XXXX the Guess Again! book. He was SO excited when he got into the car; he could barely contain himself! I had to pull over so that he could show it to me! He has read it to each family member at least once and is headed down to my parents' tomorrow to read it to them as well!"
I highly recommend the book. And, putting my money where my mouth is, I've ordered two more copies to give to my grandkids. Make someone happy with Guess Again!
As a testament of its value to the audience, I'd like to give an example from last Wednesday. A second grader, after hearing it, put a note in the book to ensure being in line to borrow it. He visited the library at each recess, looking for it to be ready, but it was nowhere to be found. After I spent several days of scouting while he followed around with an increasingly sad demeanor, I finally located it and passed it on to his teacher. I quote a parental email from the very next day:
"Thank you also for taking the time to give XXXX the Guess Again! book. He was SO excited when he got into the car; he could barely contain himself! I had to pull over so that he could show it to me! He has read it to each family member at least once and is headed down to my parents' tomorrow to read it to them as well!"
I highly recommend the book. And, putting my money where my mouth is, I've ordered two more copies to give to my grandkids. Make someone happy with Guess Again!
December 28, 2011
Readers are asked to guess what/who is about to appear on the next page, under the flap, etc. after being given some clues. But you'll never guess - unless you're familiar with Grandpa Ned, the habits of flocks of abominable snow monsters, cheese-loving Vikings, and more. Rhyming text leads you to the obvious answer, which is quickly ruled out when the real culprits' identities are revealed. Crafty and funny. If I were a kid and someone were reading this to me, I would giggle and scream with delight. Since I'm old (like Father William), I will smirk instead.
Mac Barnett's author bio:
"Mac Barnett was raised by hyenas and is the author of several books in Hyenish. His books were translated into English by a hyena who was raised by humans. Guess again!"
Sweet.
Mac Barnett's author bio:
"Mac Barnett was raised by hyenas and is the author of several books in Hyenish. His books were translated into English by a hyena who was raised by humans. Guess again!"
Sweet.
February 2, 2022
“When I grow up and get married, I’m going to change my name to Grandpa Ned.” – my 4 y.o. (After demanding to read this book over and over and over.)
May 20, 2019
Super funny read aloud! My kids enjoyed it!
October 23, 2019
I read this for my story-time and I don't know who got a bigger kick out of this story the kids or myself? Haha!
July 31, 2013
Our girls thought this book was hilarious. They loved the tantalizing rhyming narrative that leads you to the wrong answer each time. The narrative is humorous, but the illustrations by Adam Rex steal the show. They loved the crazy silhouettes.
If we had any complaint about this book, it would be that it is too short! We really enjoyed reading this book together - it's one that our girls wanted to read over and over again as soon as we finished it.
I couldn't find this book through our regular library system, so I'm very glad that another one had it.
If we had any complaint about this book, it would be that it is too short! We really enjoyed reading this book together - it's one that our girls wanted to read over and over again as soon as we finished it.
I couldn't find this book through our regular library system, so I'm very glad that another one had it.
March 24, 2016
Too funny!
May 29, 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. The Reviewers seemed to run correctly last week, but that was just one list. According to whatever stat is used on the profile page, I have read 8,149 books which should put me at #7 on US Readers of all time. the current #7 has 8,099. I get not wanting to be obvious about what it is they're actually counting, because of course people will game the system. People already are, in fact. But however they arrive at that number, it seems like I would make the top 100 of all time, right?
This is okay. Kids of the right age are no doubt very amused to think they know what's coming. For parents and older kids, the joke doesn't significantly improve on increased exposure. Honestly, the only fun part is seeing how Rex contorts the figures to get the right shadows. Compare with the original review, fortunately posted elsewhere.
***
30 Nov 2009
Both kids (and me, too) thought this was hilarious. Barnett captures perfectly the rhythm and tone of a young-child's book, and subverts it so well. We're close enough to reading those books to shout out our answers and cackle at his. As always, Adam Rex's art is perfect. Having met him, the Offspring concede that he could be a model-train-enthusiast, but didn't believe the rest of his bio.
Way to subvert the dominant paradigm!
***
29 May 2021
To be fair I averaged the stars.
Library copy
This is okay. Kids of the right age are no doubt very amused to think they know what's coming. For parents and older kids, the joke doesn't significantly improve on increased exposure. Honestly, the only fun part is seeing how Rex contorts the figures to get the right shadows. Compare with the original review, fortunately posted elsewhere.
***
30 Nov 2009
Both kids (and me, too) thought this was hilarious. Barnett captures perfectly the rhythm and tone of a young-child's book, and subverts it so well. We're close enough to reading those books to shout out our answers and cackle at his. As always, Adam Rex's art is perfect. Having met him, the Offspring concede that he could be a model-train-enthusiast, but didn't believe the rest of his bio.
Way to subvert the dominant paradigm!
***
29 May 2021
To be fair I averaged the stars.
Library copy
May 14, 2024
Guess Again! is a hilarious, imaginative children's book that will leave you guessing throughout. Mac has a great sense of humor and an imagination few can match.
May 31, 2018
Perfect for a classroom read aloud!
Fun and funny, this book...almost...rhymes. It will keep kids guessing.
And there's a dentist in here somewhere.
Fun and funny, this book...almost...rhymes. It will keep kids guessing.
And there's a dentist in here somewhere.
Read
December 3, 2020Love the humor – – very Mac Barnett! A rhyming book great for preschoolers who can understand the quirkier humor.
November 29, 2009
Since I read this book to 32 classes, 650 kids, I think it should count in my total reads for the year.
Though it only has 32 pages.
And even though every page has only twenty words on it.
But it is a deep book. So it should count. No, it’s not really deep.
But clever. Yes, I think we can agree that it is quite clever.
Over the heads of most of my youngest library visitors. But, hey, they got some of it. Enough that it is now on the top 10 Most Checked Out Books list. And that’s what really makes it count.
Though it only has 32 pages.
And even though every page has only twenty words on it.
But it is a deep book. So it should count. No, it’s not really deep.
But clever. Yes, I think we can agree that it is quite clever.
Over the heads of most of my youngest library visitors. But, hey, they got some of it. Enough that it is now on the top 10 Most Checked Out Books list. And that’s what really makes it count.
October 19, 2012
From the same author as Extra Yarn, Mac Barnett has written another winner. Riddles written in poetic form, the reader must try to guess the answer. But what answers they are! "He steals carrots from the neighbor's yard. His hair is soft, his teeth are hard. His floppy ears are long and funny. Can you guess who?" Barnett's sense of humor is funny enough to keep me laughing throughout the whole book. The answers are never what you'd expect. Be sure to find this book. You'll love it! No, I'm not giving you the answer to the riddle.
October 10, 2012
Cute illustrations and really short Shaggy Dog Stories. It reminds me of a young child re-telling a joke before they understand the necessary nuances and exact wording required to deliver a good punch line. The gag falls flat but the adults are still amused.
July 9, 2013
This book would really mess with a group of Kindergarteners that are learning to rhyme! Very funny, especially the ending.. just when I thought I was getting smart.. BAM. Enjoyed this book and had to read it a few more times just to absorb the brilliance. It is silly and a lot of fun.
March 17, 2012
My 4 and 7 year old both thought this was hilarious. Silly fun for all ages.
July 28, 2015
Having read this book to countless children over my career, I can tell you it's a five star read. Their first time reactions to this book are absolutely priceless. Need a laugh...Guess Again!?
April 7, 2021
Guess Again! - Mac Barnett
Kindergarten
This book makes you think twice before you guess who’s in the shaded picture. The silhouette makes you think it’s one thing, but when you turn the page it’s totally different!
Picture Book - The pictures are tricky, things are not always as they seem
Writing Traits:
Organization: The first picture is a big surprise when it’s Grandpa and not a bunny. At the end, after Grandpa Ned comes up a couple of times, we are introduced to a different grandpa for another twist. Don’t make assumptions!
Voice: The tone is mischievous and playful like the characters, describing what you think might be in the picture. Sometimes a single description can be appropriate for different things.
Word Choice: Excellent, precise descriptions of what the silhouette wants you to think.
Sentence Fluency: Rhyming and sing-songy. However, when the picture behind the silhouette is revealed, the rhyme is broken.
Kindergarten
This book makes you think twice before you guess who’s in the shaded picture. The silhouette makes you think it’s one thing, but when you turn the page it’s totally different!
Picture Book - The pictures are tricky, things are not always as they seem
Writing Traits:
Organization: The first picture is a big surprise when it’s Grandpa and not a bunny. At the end, after Grandpa Ned comes up a couple of times, we are introduced to a different grandpa for another twist. Don’t make assumptions!
Voice: The tone is mischievous and playful like the characters, describing what you think might be in the picture. Sometimes a single description can be appropriate for different things.
Word Choice: Excellent, precise descriptions of what the silhouette wants you to think.
Sentence Fluency: Rhyming and sing-songy. However, when the picture behind the silhouette is revealed, the rhyme is broken.
November 19, 2019
This book was really interesting before even reading it because of its front cover. I hadn't really realized it until I turned the page that there was a hole. By the 2nd page my reaction was literally "wth" the I saw who it was. I like that this book has a very basic format and that the page where the reading is, is just plain white. I feel like this gave the story a lot to its pictures and that's something I appreciate. I completely loved the book, as the pages go on the book changes and gets even more weird, the pictures cover up the full page and there's even a longer page when the dentist comes up. There was so much to this book I completely loved everything. I also noticed that once in a while there was rhyme which made me really happy to see because I feel maybe books ether over use it or don't use it at all. I loved the book, i'm buying this book.
November 20, 2019
"Guess Again!" by Mac Barnett is a humours picture book that forces readers to think outside the box. The illustration is full-bleed with bo borders, inviting readers into the illustration. The text rhymes leading readers to believe a certain word comes after another but leads to an abrupt change of words. The story is very humorous for all ages as young readers will be able to laugh at Grandpa Ned, but as readers get used to the odd outcome of events, the author once again makes readers question the shadow figure.
May 12, 2026
Older littles will appreciate the jokes of leading on to being wrong and maybe the repetition of a specific answer. But, I think it may frustrate littler kiddos to be wrong when the answer should be "obvious" - and that's OK! I think the absurdity is what makes the book unique and "work," but for a more specific audience. The illustrations are really well done and fun. This would work for a one-on-one read (for older kiddos) or a storytime for older kiddos who can appreciate the gag of being led on. Themes could be guessing, interactive, or silly.
April 2, 2019
It’s a full-bleed book and it is 100% creative. I liked how not only the illustrations led to the illusion of what the figure might be, but also the written text. For example, when the author was giving all of the descriptions of a mouse and even wrote the word “house” at the end to lead us into that direction of thinking, I would’ve never thought that it would have been a viking, that’s mind blowing.
May 24, 2022
Who needs a laugh? Well, we all do...which brings me to this bizarre humor concept picture book gem, "Guess Again!" Hilariously told in words by Mac Barnett and in images by Adam Rex, the bang-on rhyme and deceptively-simple illustrations lull the reader time and again into an obvious but incorrect choice. This book revels in the thrill of the unexpected--and, incidentally, has the best example of a comic triple I've ever seen in a picture book. Funny for all ages.
August 18, 2017
Riddles that rhyme until the answer. The rhyme always leads you to the wrong answer. Nice use of flaps, cutouts, etc.
These are all silly and things that you would never ever guess unless you've already read the book. I think this is the kind of thing that either tickles your funny bone or doesn't.
These are all silly and things that you would never ever guess unless you've already read the book. I think this is the kind of thing that either tickles your funny bone or doesn't.
April 5, 2019
This book is nothing like what you think it will be- and that's the whole point. Guess Again is a book that has you guessing with great written poetry clues and picture you'll feel certain that you know what is on the next page, until you flip it and find that you aren't even close. This book is totally silly, crazy, bonkers- doesn't make sense!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews