May I Please Have a Cookie?

Reviewed by: Deidre Walsh - Goodall Memorial Library, Sanford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 4, 2016

Review

Alfie the alligator loves cookies. Who Doesn't? But Alfie doesn't know the best way to ask his mother for a cookie. He tries all sorts of tricks to steal one, including dressing up as the cookie "inspektor". But his mom won't be fooled. Alfie resorts to making his own paper cookies. His mother politely asks Alfie for one of his cookies. A light bulb goes off in Alfie's head. "Mommy, may I please have a cookie?" he finally asks his mother. And she gives him one gladly. This is a reissue in board book of a Scholastic level one reader. So of course it will work well as a beginning reader, if slightly older children don't mind being seen with a baby board book. There are 1-2 sentences per page, with repetition and child accessible text. The words are relatively simple and easy to see on the pages. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. Purples, yellows, greens and blues dominate, with a splash of red on Alfie. This book could be used in a few different ways. It demonstrates good parent behavior in front of a child. Not only does Alfie's mom not lose her temper with Alfie, she also does not give in to his repeated poor choices on how to get a cookie. And she models the polite way to ask for a cookie without telling Alfie what he should do. She wants him to figure it out on his own. And he does. So this would be a good resource in parenting classes for a parent to read to a young child as a positive behavior for both parent and child. It could also be used as a talking point with young children on manners. And finally, you could pair this with Mo Willems' "Duckling Gets a Cookie?" and Karma Wilson's "Cow Loves Cookies" for a polite but rousing cookie themed story time. And perhaps even pass out cookies if the children ask nicely. This is for babies through 3rd grade for both reading and enjoying. Purchase where you don't have the level 1 version or where board book collections need a boost.

Overall Book Score: very good