It's Hard to Be Five

September 6, 2004
The creative team behind Today I Feel Silly
amiably addresses the challenges of being a five-year-old—especially the pesky problem of learning self-control. In the story's wry opening, the narrator observes, "It's hard to be five. I'm little no more. Good old days are gone. 'Bye one, two, three, four." Among the trials he faces are controlling his temper when dealing with his younger brother ("My mind says do one thing, my mouth says another"), avoiding dirt and starting school ("School seems so scary. School seems so strange. I'm only five. My whole world's going to change"). Curtis's singsong verse also focuses on some of the pluses of being five: though his brother is strapped into a stroller, the hero can walk by himself ("It's fun to be five! Big changes are here! My body's my car, and I'm licensed to steer") and school entails some entertaining activities ("At five I'm a worker—a bee among bees. I build things and grow things, say thank you and please"). Cornell's buoyant, teeming spreads and spot illustrations convey the boundless energy and changeable moods of this likeable five-year-old with on-target, hyperbolic humor. Though the narrative winds to a rather corny close, this cheerful book with its clever visual details will surely appeal to fans of the collaborators' earlier books as well as those looking for a reassuring, age-appropriate tale for the kindergartner in their lives. Ages 4-8.

December 1, 2004
PreS-Gr 1 -This tongue-in-cheek look at what it feels like to be five will result in uproarious laughter from kids, smiles of recognition from parents, and a cause for pause for any adult involved in a youngster's care. The protagonist is aware of what he has been taught to say: " 'Would you ever so kindly please give me my wig back?'" but, "my mouth says, 'IT'S MINE!'" While waiting his turn on a car ride, the big brother's mind thinks, "It's been an hour and nine minutes. Might I have a smidge of a turn before we have to leave?" However, it comes out, " 'MOM!'" Splashy, vibrant colors capture the typical surroundings through all of the exaggerated, larger-than-life phases of growing up, while the childlike, handwritten text draws viewers right in to the full-page, familiar busyness. Self-control, starting school, and independence-they're all here. Whether read aloud, shared one-on-one, or read independently, giggles and laughter will abound.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2004
PreS-K. Curtis is perhaps the best known of the celebrity authors, and along with illustrator Cornell has had several best-sellers. This one will get lots of publicity, too, but it is a convoluted offering. A five-year-old talks about his angst. "Little no more," the child has to learn how to control his mouth, go to school, and deal with outgrowing his clothes. An overly long text is punctuated with banal rhyme: "It's hard to be five / Parents want you all clean. / But washing my face makes me crabby and mean." Then it's "fun to be five! / Big changes are here! My body's my care / and I'm licensed to steer." Scratchy, simple line drawings mixed with occasional, interesting full-color artwork illustrate the story. Libraries will want to buy this if there's demand.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2005
"It's hard fun to be five" is the final consensus of the young narrator, having run through the pros (more independence, more self-control) and cons (lots of changes, grownups' expectations) of being his age. Though Curtis's rhyming text is choppy and unfocused at times, it's an upbeat and fairly astute synopsis of a five-year-old's behavior, complemented by Cornell's scrappy, humorous color cartoons.

(Copyright 2005 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)