About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with bossy peers or feeling overwhelmed by others crossing their personal boundaries. It is an excellent tool for navigating the messy emotions of frustration and the exhaustion that comes from trying to manage a situation that feels out of control. The story follows a young girl whose home is invaded by increasingly entitled animals who refuse to listen, from a kangaroo in her bed to a tiger in the bath. Through humorous, absurdist escalations, the book validates a child's right to say no and set rules. It ultimately models the realization that sometimes, when words don't work, you have to stand your ground or find a way to coexist. It is a classic choice for building emotional resilience and teaching the value of firm communication.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The protagonist experiences significant frustration and loses her temper, which may be distressing for sensitive children or require a conversation about healthy ways to express anger.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler or early elementary student who is beginning to navigate social power dynamics at school or with siblings, particularly those who feel they aren't being heard when they set boundaries.
Parent Prep
This book is best read with plenty of vocal expression. Be ready to discuss the difference between being mean and being firm. It can be read cold, but pay attention to the girl's facial expressions in the illustrations; they tell the real story of her growing anger. A child shouting "NO!" or "GO AWAY!" to a sibling, or a child who is feeling overwhelmed by a playdate where someone else is taking all their toys.
Age Experience
Younger children (4-5) find the animals' antics and the girl's reactions funny and relatable. Older children (7-8) will recognize the social satire of people who don't follow the rules and may have a more nuanced discussion about when it's okay to lose your temper.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that preach immediate kindness or sharing, Mayer validates the pure, unadulterated frustration of dealing with someone who won't listen, providing a rare moment of "literary venting" for kids.
Read plot summary
A young girl encounters a series of increasingly pushy animals (a kangaroo, an opossum, a llama, a tiger, etc.) who take over her personal spaces and belongings. She repeatedly asks them, "What do you do?" and attempts to boss them back, but they ignore her. Finally, she loses her temper, throws them all out, and when they come back, she decides to just let them stay and joins the chaos.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The little girl tried many ways to get the animals to leave. Which way do you think was the smartest, even if it didn't work?
2
How do you think the girl felt when the tiger wouldn't get out of the bathtub? Have you ever felt that way when someone wouldn't listen to you?
3
Why do you think the animals kept coming back even after she yelled at them?
4
At the very end, the girl decides to sit on the floor with all the animals. Do you think she is still angry, or did she find a different way to handle the problem?
5
What is a 'house rule' in our home that the Kangaroo or the Tiger would definitely break?
