What If Everybody Did That? (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This story follows a young boy who's curiousity gets the best of him and he's forced to consider the consequences of his actions. To many children, throwing a snowball at a friend or not hanging up their jacket on the hook may seem like minor things. But when the adults in the story ask him, “What if everybody did that?”, he imagines children buried in snow and jackets cluttering the floor. The story is well written, giving an action and potential consequences. The illustrations are colorful and the facial structures show the reader the seriousness of not following the rules. When showing the consequences, there are no words, which causes the child to truly think about what the result would be.In Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, she mentions that each story should have a question and answer. These questions don't have to be blatantly obvious, but noticeable enough to teach the reader a lesson. In What if Everybody did That? I believe the question is not only what has been stated on each page, but also what if everybody misbehaved or broke the rules? This teaches the reader to think about his or her actions before they act out.I really enjoyed this story, and the ending truly made me smile. The main character finally does something without breaking the rules by giving his mom a hug. The reader is then asked, “What if everybody did that?” The world would be a better place, full of love. Rules are in place for a reason and they must be followed. This story is twenty-eight pages long, and the message is clear on the first page. This book really makes you think about the things you do in your everyday life. Thinking back to what you do and then thinking what if everyone did that this world would not always be the best of places. This book is a great book for kids. It will make them look at the things they do differently. They will be more aware of what is going on around them. The pictures are very bright a colorful. They grab your attention and have a lot going on.
What do You think about What If Everybody Did That? (2010)?
Not really for repeat reading, but the two page spreads will definitely get you thinking.
—skyerandom
Good book to spark discussion about being a responsible member of a community.
—aatheile
