Things I Like

by Anthony Browne

"Browne brings a fresh perspective and his own witty visual imagination even to such simple-seeming books as these small catalogs of enthusiasms. Mass-market appeal combined with excellent quality."-- Kirkus

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Anthony Browne, a Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, is the author-illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Silly Billy and Little Beauty. He lives in Kent, England.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like sharing this story. It is full of "dialogic reading" opportunities. "What do you see?" (a monkey). "The caption says..." THIS IS ME AND THIS IS WHAT I LIKE. "Shall we see what he likes?" The pages are photo-album format. Children can describe what they see in each "photo". Ask, "do you do this?" "Do you like this too?" "What is your favorite -- this? (left page image) or this? (right page image).

A great follow up activity is to make a "Things I Like" book with the child. If photos are scarce, use magazine pictures, coloring pages from the internet, stickers, or stamps.

[Melissa Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very straightforward as the young monkey told the audience the things that he likes. The illustrations were done with showing what he likes to do in color with a white background which might represent something or not, still unsure. The plot of the picture book was elementary as the plot was mainly the monkey telling what he likes. This picture book would be good for a child who is just beginning to read as it only contains a few words that are even explained through the illustrations. I would say that it is meant for a child lower than 2nd grade. A thing that would make it fun for afterwards could be the child reading it could make their own picture book telling what they like to do. Altogether, this book was super cute and very easy to read.

[Brianda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about a young monkey telling the audience what he likes to do. Just like when you ask any child what he likes he lets you know everything he or she likes. This book had a water color style for all the pictures in the book. each page had something different of what the main character liked doing although in each page they had boarders making the picture seemed taken from a camera thats how I interpreted the picture book. This book is okay I personally don't see the purpose of this book other than letting other children who read this book that are able relate to the main character in liking certain things.

[✨Keren✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro muy bonito sobre todo para los chiquitos 📚❤

[BibliofiliaFull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soy muy fan del trabajo de Anthony Browne, tal vez porque me ayuda a entender a mis sobrinos y a ellos para comunicarse conmigo.

[javier fernández]

mid pa ser anthony browne

[Ben Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of "Things I like" features a young monkey in overalls. He is hugging a tree branch, and the image is bordered by several objects that would seem to fall under the category indicated in the title (bananas, cupcakes, a television, etc.)

The words in the book itself are simple ("This is me and this is what i like...") but when read in conjunction with the images on each page become endearing and even heartwarming. Each page features a brightly colored illustration of the monkey protagonist enjoying a different activity ("playing with toys," "dressing up"). The expressions on the monkey's face convey (in an authentic way, I think) the childhood joys associated with each activity.

As simple as "Things I Like" may seem, it's a book that rewards a careful viewer, or reader of visual images. For example, the four corners of each frame in the book are adorned with an object that represents the activity being represented. For example, the "and watching TV" page features a television at each corner of the frame in the image. Elsewhere, when the monkey says he likes "painting," we see him at work on a picture of a fish with four legs. Numerous visual "Easter Eggs" like this are spread throughout the book.

[Mickey Malmgren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Things I Like is a short and sweet picture book from the perspective of a young monkey boy. Throughout the 18 pages, the main character (introduced only as "me") Lists the activities he likes. There's no specific theme to the activities he names, they are as varied as "making a cake...and watching TV."

There is really no theme or moral to this story. There's not even a plot. He simply states the things he likes in very simple terms. The language is very easy to read, and there are only 1-4 words per page. There is a very slight rhyme scheme, but mostly the language is devoid of imagery, excitement, or interest.

The pictures are colorful and cute, but do little more than illustrate the exact activity listed on the page.

As an adult, I see very few redeeming qualities for this piece of literature. I can only say that it would be at an appropriate reading level for very early readers, and the adorable primary color pictures are descriptive. From the perspective of a child I don't see this book exciting a love of reading or a spark in any of the activities described.

[Samantha Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I Like is simple from its words to its illustrations: Browne uses casual words that all growing children should learn how to read and that they should know for their everyday activities (from playing to birthday parties. The illustrations use a white background and the color focus is bright with attention to blue, green, red, and yellow. The borders of the illustrations say a lot because they are unevenly constructed, as though by a child! Most of the borders also contain little images at the corners, and those images reflect an activity mentioned on the two pages. There is a direct, symmetrical relationship between the words and the illustrations, which may help beginning readers to learn word-recognition.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: The character is a monkey with no name. He likes painting, riding his bike, playing with toys, dressing up, climbing trees, hiding etc. It is a very simple book of the monkey explaining everything he has liked from his past. It is a first person story of the monkey telling the audience what he likes. It is a happy story and makes the reader want to do the things the monkey likes.

My thoughts: I got to know the character in this book which is good. I would have prefered the monkey to be talking to another monkey for a deeper lesson to kids. The monkey is comfortable with himself and what he likes, which is very important

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am certain that for the very young just starting to read, this book will be a repeated nighttime favorite, although the adults will want to pull their hair out at the 38th reading. It is a euphonic tale that will charm and delight pre-readers. The text is very simple as are the illustrations. While the usual Anthony Browne signature visual style is toned down, the drawings are nonetheless endearing. This is a happy book with no hidden meanings. Youngsters can fall asleep with charming gorillas dancing in their heads.

[Grant Cooper]

Following the main character who is a monkey, this book tells a story of everything he enjoys from his past including riding his bike, painting, dressing up, climbing trees, and more. It really doesn't follow your typical plot structure as the first person means the narrator, the monkey himself, explains to the audience his favorite activities.


This book is good for the audience of early childhood, strictly for entertainment. There isnt much of a lesson to be learned nd is so simple it would almost be good for a kid who hasnt learned to fully comprehend stories with a plot.

[Danielle Desmarais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a simple book but my CT read it for a read-aloud and the children loved it. It shares different things this monkey likes to do and the children felt special telling the class the different things they likes to do also. The illustrations and borders of the picture are very fun and entertaining. It gave me ideas and helped me create my predictable book for our class.

Easy Kindergarten.

[Aiden Dunnigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anthony Browne's Things I Like is a very young read. The illustrations are basic and the text is literally a list of the things the protagonist enjoys about life. It teaches kids to appreciate all the fun things they get to do during their days, but it is meant for very young children.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. Perfect for my 13 month old. He can recognise most of the activities (theoretically) and the hero is just gorgeous, beautifully observed and a big smile on every page. A joy to read.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is suited more towards younger elementary students, however could be used within the classroom for students to share the things they like.

[Mai]

This book would be great to teach a lesson on writing and have kids write about what they like.

[Hannah Sheffield · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be good for young children. The words are basic and they go along with the pictures.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would be a good example for a "Things I Like" project.

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy to read book, few words on a page, some words repeat. This is a great book for beginning readers to read with an adult and then read on their own.

[Isabella Bottini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very simplistic book with great photos. It basically just goes about talking about the things that a very cute monkey likes. It is simple and talks about great hobbies. The themes are hobbies and happiness.
I would recommend these books because it is happy and gives children ideas of things to like. It is also very positive and the photos are adorable.

[Kye Jenkins]

This book is a goofy and fun example of how share things about yourself. The illustrations are fun and simple for k-1