About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of a busy household, a loud classroom, or the frustration of not having enough personal space. It is the perfect antidote to 'overstimulation' and a gentle guide for the child who needs to learn how to claim their own quiet time. In this rhythmic counting story, a boy named Johnny is trying to read in peace, but his room is slowly invaded by a parade of increasingly rowdy animals and people. As the count goes up, the chaos increases, until Johnny finally asserts himself to clear the room. This classic tale by Maurice Sendak uses humor and rhyme to validate a child's need for boundaries and the importance of finding one's own calm center. It is ideal for ages 2 to 6, helping toddlers with basic numeracy while giving preschoolers a model for standing up for their own needs in a respectful yet firm way.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book features a 'robber' who enters with a bag, but the depiction is stylized and non-threatening. The approach is secular and metaphorical, focusing on the sensory experience of a crowded space rather than actual danger.
