I'm So Embarrassed!

by Robert Munsch

Andrew's mom is SO embarrassing — he can't take her anywhere!! It's time for Andrew to get new sneakers, but when his mother offers to take him to the mall, Andrew is hesitant. His mother always embarrasses him whenever they are in public, but she promises to be good, so off they go! They're not even inside the mall before his mom is spitting on her hand and smoothing down his hair! It's one hilariously mortifying moment after an aunt plants lipstick kisses all over Andrew's face, baby pictures get shown to his teacher, girls' underpants are waved around. It's just too much! Then Andrew runs into his friend,Taylor Jae, who's having the same embarrassing experience with her mom. They decide to hide in a trashcan until it's over, scheming to give their moms a taste of their own embarrassing medicine!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Family, Humor, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.

He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.

Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)

Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.

Reviews

[One Code 431 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable
😑😂

[Ellenjsmellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute. Our moms totally embarassed us as kids, but this book hits all the highly embarassing moments.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heh I don’t think there is anyone who can’t identify with this book!

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got some good ideas in this one...
Kiddo laughed out loud.

[Heather Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 2nd grader brought this book home from the school library and we have read it the required three times. She likes it, and I will admit that of it is read right, it can be a fun read. However, the kids are brats. The moms let the kids back talk them and yell at them. The one mom practically begs her son to forgive her. I would definitely not recommend this book.

Just for the record: I personally love this authors other books. They are some of my childhood favorites. I just think he missed the ball on this one.

[Mikhail Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Andrew’s mom wants to take him to the mall to buy new shoes. Andrew says no because he hates always being embarrassed by his mom. After finally agreeing to go to the mall, Andrew gets embarrassed by his mom many times after running into his aunt, teacher, and friend’s mom. Andrew and his friend run and hide, because their moms always embarrass them. Finally, they decide to embarrass their moms to show them how it feels, and both moms learn to not embarrass their sons.

The themes of this book include family, embarrassment, and growing up.

I thought this book was funny and included many parts that would be extremely appealing to children. I felt like I could relate to this book, because my parents used to always embarrass me in public.

I would recommend this book purely based on how funny it was and enjoyable to read. Additionally, I think it is a book that children could relate to and find themselves in.

[Kinley Schnell]

Summary: A boy named Andrew did not want to go to the mall with his Mom because she always embarrasses him. She promised him she wouldn’t, but of course, when they got there she did the motherly thing and embarrassed him so many times! Taylor Jae his friend had the exact same issue! So together they made a plan and embarrassed their mothers together.

Response: Robert Munsch is a hilarious writer. I love his characters, dialogue, and imagery he uses. These books will definitely keep kids engaged throughout the whole story. Also, it is just so accurate to real life that you can’t help but giggle a little bit.

Classroom: I would love to use this in a writing lesson plan where the kids can write down a story of when they were embarrassed by their friends, parents, etc. I would share a couple memories beforehand in order to have the students realize that it’s okay to laugh about funny things that happen to you.

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother's seem always to find a way to embarrass their kids. I think there are so many people out there who have a story of a mother (or some other parental figure) embarrassing them.

At least in this cute little book, the kids show their mother's what it's like to be embarrassed.

Underwear in a boys face though? I think that would be the worst as a kid!

[Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

In I'm so embarrassed!, Robert Munsch tells the story of young Andrew who is anxious about going to the mall with his mom because she always embarrasses him. Sure enough, when they get to the mall, Andrew's mom does a series of things to embarrass him including: spitting in his hair to comb it out, showing his teacher baby photos of him, allowing his aunt to give him kisses all over and putting under wear in his face. At the end, Andrew intentionally embarrasses his mom at the mall to show her what it feels like.

I liked this book up until the end (I don't love Munsch's stories that are concluded/get resolved through revenge). The storyline is very relatable to children who are self-conscious and easily embarrassed of being seen out in public with their parents.

[Luz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so embarrassed is a fun book to read, specially because children can relate and sympathize with other children's emotions. I would read this book from 1st graders to 3rd grade, because content is simple but it has a good social emotional message about not being the only one feeling embarrassed.

[Debbie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, the kids liked this book its a win-win. We decided to play the audiobook on disk with Munsch narrating it which made it more fun as I flipped through the pages. For sure recommend this one for wanting to get the kids settled down before transitioning to the next activity!

[LadyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Munsch is still good even if one is reading it as an adult.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is to relate to for children and parents.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Munsch humor and Martchenko illustrations.
Two moms embarrass their children at the mall until the tables are turned and the kids show them how it feels.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relate to the embarrassing parent stories

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom really embarrasses Andrew and his friend Taylor-Jaeat the mall, so they decide to embarrass them back.it is hilarious and the illustrations are brilliant. I love all the little creatures in the garbage bin. My son's favourite is the naked baby photo page, even at five he recognises embarrassment.

Here you have some classic components to a story, major points of embarrassment combined with funny revenge. The protagonist Andrew solves his own problem. There's no fluff just one strong scene to the next one.

Just for fun (I couldn't help myself)here are some anagrams within the word embarrassment:

Warning: mild bad language ;)

sad bra
same bed
drab arse
bare arsed
mad bear
brassed ma
rabes ram
embers

Can you think of any more?

[Amber Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Andrew is starting to grow up and find certain situations with his mother, his aunt, and his teacher. He gets so embarressed by the spit on his hair, kisses on his face, and the pictures shown to his teacher that he hides. His mother promises not to embarress him again. Andrew ends up meeting up with Taylor-Jae who is also embarressed because of her mother's behavior. They come up with a plan together to embarress their moms but does it work?

Students can write about a time they were embarressed by someone they love. They can talk about how it made them feel, did it get resolved or does it continue to happen.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm So Embarrassed is a story about a boy who is always embarrassed to be with his mom in public. His mom tends to always carry baby pictures and shows them to anyone who will look at them. One of his friends has a mom that also seems to always have baby pictures with her. Eventually the two friends are so embarrassed that they decide to jump into a dumpster. The mothers realize that they are embarrassed but they still remain in the dumpster. This book brings back so many memories. I loved reading this book when I was younger...

[April Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this would be a great book for upper elementary because they are at the stage that their parents are embarrassing. They care a lot about what their peers think of them so they do not want to be seen with any member of their family. This is just a good, funny book that children can read to help them become stronger readers.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

another one of munsch's books that I don't recognize from my childhood.. this one was alright.. everyone kid can relate with this story.. this parents embarrassing them! I loved the ending! I really enjoyed the illustrations in this one! they made me laugh! I loved how the little white dog made it into ever page (well except one)! yes I noticed! lol

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of readers, especially the youngest ones, will find this to be an entertaining read that is paired with amusingly over-the-top illustrations. Slightly older readers may enjoy the comeuppance levied by the two kids against their mothers, who always seem to unwittingly belittle them in public.

[Chardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about a young boy that hates going to the mall with his Mom because he feels that she embarrasses him. When he made it to the mall, his Mom embarrassed him so much. However, he was able to get his Mom back by doing the same to her. Now, his Mom knows how it feels to be embarrassed.

[Carrie Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hit, especially with my son who is old enough at six to identify with the main character. It made all of us laugh aloud. If you see it at your library, it's definitely worth picking up.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew’s mom took him to the mall to buy new sneakers. She said she wouldn’t embarrass him, but just as he expected, she did. When he met a friend at the mall, she was having the same problem with her mother. Funny ending.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's okay. I thought it was a bit over the top tho' I'm sure some parents can be this way. I also didn't appreciate the kids attitude. Just me I'm old-fashioned.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute but no classic Munsch.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about being embarrassed by your mom in public. A funny book for kids who feel that their mom humiliates them on purpose. Haven't we all felt this way as a kid?

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like it probably my favorite part was when he saw his aunt and he got lipstick all over his face cause I never let my family do that to me

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Robert Munsch read this story with kids is amazing!