Don't Want to Go

Don't Want to Go
by Shirley Hughes

3-Year-Old: Thumbs Up
Mom: Thumbs Up

Summary: A little girls' mother is sick, so her dad takes her to a neighbor's house to spend the day.  She doesn't want to go.  When she gets there, she is reluctant and shy, but soon she befriends baby Sam and a little dog.  At the end of the day, when her dad comes to get her, she finds that she doesn't want to go.

Review:  My son's immediate reaction was, "Again!"  He actually asked that I read it three or four times, and then at bedtime, and then three or four times the following day.  I think what was so engaging for him was that the book captured the perspective of a child his age.  Instead of saying to the reader that the character didn't want to go, the author describes how the girl dropped her mitten on the way there or hid under the table once she got there.  These behaviors are realistic and familiar for young children.  I think my son responded so positively to the book because he could relate so closely to the main character's feelings and behaviors.

My son's preschool teacher actually recommended that I borrow the book for a few days because she noticed that my son was having trouble leaving school at the end of the day.  Even though it didn't help to solve any problems directly (it's not a parenting book with tips and tricks, of course), it was useful because I could discuss with him the concepts from the book and relate them to his own feelings.

Our teacher actually informed us that the book is not new but was recently reprinted by the publisher.  She is so happy that these books are available again, and I understand why.