Yes We Can!

by Sam McBratney, Charles Fuge

Little Roo and his friends usually have a great time playing together, but not today. They are too busy making fun of each other. When everyone is left in bad moods, Little Roo's wise mother comes up with an idea that might just help the threesome make amends. Sam McBratney, bestselling author of guess how much i love you, shows the importance of celebrating individual talents in this adorable tale of fun and friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, School, Fiction

Hardcover

First published May 29, 2007

About the author

The 1943 born Northern Ireland native started writing children's books when he was a teacher in his thirties, with the aim of helping out students who had trouble reading. But he continued writing for a more-personal reason: "the act of imagining simply makes me feel good," he says. The fifty-seventh book of Sam McBratney's career, and his first book with Candlewick Press, was the much-loved GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, which has sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, and is available in 37 languages. "This is not the sort of thing you expect when most of your books have been remaindered," the author admits. "But, as the frog trapped in the milk discovered, if you keep going, sometimes you find yourself walking on cream cheese."

Where does Sam McBratney get his inspiration? "I told my children stories when they were young," he says, "so when I write I try to think of what they would have liked." But there may be another source guiding his writing as well. The author's father--who worked as a type compositor with the BELFAST TELEGRAPH, and whose favorite books were westerns--is the person Sam McBratney credits for giving him his love of the English language. "Most of my picture books--GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, JUST ONE!, and JUST YOU AND ME--explore the relationship between a big one and a wee one," the author notes. "The big one is not called the father in the stories, but that's what he is. Although my dad died before I became a writer, the father in my stories has a voice and a presence that he would have recognized and understood."

In addition to authoring many books for children, Sam McBratney wrote radio plays for adults and a prize-winning collection of short stories. He received a degree in history and political science from Trinity College, Dublin, and worked for many years as a teacher.

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This moralistic tale has two messages -- one kids should not laugh or poke fun at others and two - we all have our own gifts, we all can do stuff.

The kids liked the drawings and found the book humorous.

I thought the message was a little too heavy handed. I like my preachy books a little more subtle.

But subtle works best for adults. For 7 year old twins this book was fine.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally I find McBratney's books to be diabetes inducing, especially the oh-so-CUTE "Guess How Much I Love You".

This one is cute beyond cute AND it drives home a lesson with all the finesse of the "Berenstain Bears".

I'm sure that this is going to be very popular and also something suggested to teach kids about appreciating each other's talents.But I think it's too young for the kids who generally need such lessons AND I believe that books are not good for TEACHING such lessons, just starting dialogues!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good message, but spent a little too long on the negativity. Three child animals tease each other about being able to do things the others can't. Then Momma Kangaroo puts a positive spin on it. It's good to be proud of what you can do, rather than make fun of those who can't.

The art is amazing.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute friendship story with very sweet, kid-friendly illustrations. Mouse, Roo, and Duck all tease each other about things they can't do. They all feel salty at being laughed at, but then decide to instead celebrate what each of them is good at instead. A good example of resolving sour feelings between friends.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love the art. The message is important, but told so obviously that child-free adults will be annoyed. Otoh, if you have a child who laughs at others' misfortunes or teases others for their inadequacies, this will probably help you to have that discussion with them. If you have more than one child, you'll be even more likely to have this in your tool-kit.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun active story about how not to treat your friends and then how to respect their talents. I liked the fact three animal friends were the characters used to convey this message in a low key but very recognizable way. And I adored the name of the duck, Quacker Duck.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book from the author of Guess How Much I Love You that celebrates individuality, fun and friendship.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the same duo of "I Love it When You Smile," I actually found that I liked this book a bit more. A kangaroo, duck, and mouse make fun of each other for not being able to do things which they can do easily, but they learn that they're better off celebrating each others' strengths.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations and a nice story, if a little heavy-handed on the message, about friendship, not laughing at each other, and the beauty of our differences. Good for story time for older kids who don't mind a pretty straightforward message.

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute, and I love the illustrations. It's a simple anti-bullying story with a good message. 4/5 stars.

[Rachel Hinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book about friendship and differences. Encouraging children to praise each other’s ability and skill, instead of laugh and separate.

[Miss C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to talk about friendship and being kind to others!
Also, wonderful for fall and the pictures are gorgeous!

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome illustrations.

[Katie Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Grade Level: Kindergarten

This children's nonfiction book is perfect read for teaching an important lesson. No one like to be laughed at, and these three friends learned that the hard way. This book shows students that everyone is good at their own special thing and we are all different. I loved the message and I loved the ending! This is a perfect book to read to younger elementary school aged students.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a beautiful windy day, Little Roo, Country Mouse and Quacker Duck enjoy making a big pile of leaves together. However, when Little Roo challenges Quacker Duck to jump over a log, things turn serious. Of course, Quacker Duck can't jump over a log; he's a duck. When Country Mouse laughs at Quacker Duck, Duck gets upset and challenges Country Mouse to float on water. Of course, Mouse can't float on water; he's a mouse! Little Roo begins laughing at Country Mouse. Mouse becomes quite upset and challenges Little Roo to catch his own tail. Well, of course Little Roo can't catch his own tail; he's a kangaroo!

Now all of the friends are mad at each other. Little Roo's mother comes over to see what the trouble is. When everyone tells her their story she tells them she's not surprised everyone is upset. No one likes being laughed at. She suggests that the friends all show each other what they are good at. So they do. They find that they can appreciate each others talents and still be friends.

[Paul Candeias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book to me was a great book that could really be used to address one of the big issues in school right now which is bullying. All three of these friends begin to make fun of each other and become upset, when the mother kangaroo says something is when they realize that they shouldn't have made fun of each other. So this book can be used to show children that making fun of someone else hurts and it can make friends mad at each other.This was definitely a book that I will be using in the classroom to express the importance of friendship.

Lesson: For my lesson I thought about doing a self-expression/talent day. Each student would come in and show their classmates either a talent or something that expresses themselves.

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some animal friends challenge each other to some activities. They each try to do something that another animal can do quite well. Of course they find they can not do it. The other two then laugh at them. The Mother then comes along and shows them that they are each good at something just not everything.

It shows three different kinds of animals being friends. This shows to the child that you don’t have to have only friends just like you. I do wish the book had taken the animals laughing at each other and addressed it better.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - This is one of the better books we took out from our last library visit. The illustrations are clean, bright and inviting. The story is about some pretty important lessons and I like that the way the animals move through these lessons was so realistic. (Things aren't all good one page later.) One of their Mothers comes and switches the attention to what each animal can do after telling them about making fun of and laughing at each other.
It's really a pretty decent book and one that I'm glad we found.

[Kelly Thevenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, We can is a great young childrens book about fun and friendship. The animals start to do things that they are good at then the others ones can not keep up. The animals start to have bad manners and get mad at eachother. They begin to problem solve and come up with a solution, now everyone can participate and be happy. I would use this book when teaching young children about moods and manners. Also, how you should always be a good friend.

[Karina Espinales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story because it is about three friends that challenge each other to do an activity. The funny part is that it is a task that is not part of the norm for each animal. Like children, the animals start laughing at each other. This is a good book to read when teaching children not to make fun of others when they cannot do an activity, but to remember that there is always something else that they can be good at.

[IfCatsCouldRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

The friends start the day out with a plan: make the biggest pile of leaves ever! However, plans take a turn after taking a break from their piles. They begin teasing each other about things the others can't do. Mama Roo saves the day by asking for encouragement!

This was a book that my class needed. We have quite a few children that are more likely to tease a friend instead of helping them. This opens up a discussion about what it means to be a 'friend'.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect story that teaches that when you make fun of someone you can lose a friend because no one likes being around someone that is going to hurt them. But when you celebrate each others achievements then you create a great friendship bond. YES WE CAN is a great story teaching the power of positivity.

[Christina Velasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be useful in a lesson on friendship and getting along. It highlights two areas: no one likes to be laughed at, and we all have things we are good at. Students will definitely identify with the characters, who are friends in the beginning, then make each other feel bad, and then find a way to make it better. I think it would be appropriate for Kindergarten or 1st grade.

[V B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, Sam McBratney wrote Guess How Much I Love You with Nut Brown Hare, which is phenomenal. BUT-- the great thing about this is the ILLUSTRATOR, Charles Fuge, who is just fantastic! The adorability of these lil' creatures is just so....huggable and cute!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story about celebrating our own abilities and not picking on one another for something they cannot do. It has colorful and adorable illustrations and it's a fun, short book to read aloud with children.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so easy for children to point out things that another child can't do, and that can really be hurtful! What happens when children share what they can do. What a difference that awareness makes. Encourage your friends with a positive "yes we can"!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a consignment shop and I immediately fell in love with it. I think this book would be so beneficial to use in the classroom. It would give my students a great deal of confidence and drive to do well in the classroom and to never say never. Love this one!

[Alia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are bright and lovely but I usually prefer picture books that don't wack you over the head with a lesson. It might make a good book for a "friendship" themed storytime.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE the pictures!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story about being nice to each other - building each other up for what each individual can do, instead of tearing each other down for what each cannot do. My kids really like it, too.