We Never Do Anything

by Martha Alexander

Adam succeeds in getting wet, even though his repeated attempts to go swimming are foiled by his mother

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Born in Georgia, Martha attended the Cincinnati Academy of Art, and lived in many places, including New York, Alaska, and Washington state, before settling in Honolulu, Hawaii. She had two children, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Reviews

[Briar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book could have been wordless and the reader would still understand exactly what's going on- that's how good the pictures are! The little boy wants to swim and his mother says no. This child is obviously one that is very tenacious and disobedient as he immediately sets out to ignore her instructions and do what he wishes. He is so strong-willed that the mother clips him to the clothesline on a tether, and he proceeds to take off his clothes and enter the town naked to escape. If you don't read books that have nude children, this one's not for you. After being brought back into town, his dad graciously builds him a sandbox which the child is unhappy with, but when it rains, he is given the swimming pool he has desired. Not a book to encourage moral behavior, but I relate to the mom's vigilance and to the child's stubborness