Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?
What It Is
A little boy tells his mom about all the chores he just completed and asks the question, “So why do I have to make my bed?” She tells him a story about her grandmother who also complained about making her bed after finishing her chores. Then, Grandma’s mother told her a similar story about her grandfather, and so on, through generations, with all stories ending in “Why do I have to make my bed?” When the story regresses back to 40,000 B.C., a young cave boy’s mother gives a different answer than all the others — “Because I said so.” He simply says “oh.” The story turns and progresses back to the current day with each child we meet saying the same “oh.”
Why It’s Fun
There’s not likely a child in the world who hasn’t scoffed at the daily chore of making his or her bed. Wade Bradford cleverly and humorously pokes fun at this historic struggle between parents and kids. The illustrations flow nicely from current time back throughout the generations and note the year that each story takes place. Bradford’s book gives us a fun history lesson in chores, toys, language ... and beds, through ages. But at the end of the day, the reason we have all had to do our chores, from putting away video games to hunting mammoth (which kids did do in 40,000 B.C.), is simply because ... mom said so.
Who’s Going To Love It
This book will have the whole family laughing, even those beyond the publisher’s 4-7 recommendation. This is the author’s first picture book and it’s a winner as an addition to your home or local library. Aside from getting a good laugh, kids may just look at chores a little differently!
Note to kids: With Mother’s Day coming this weekend, why not surprise mom by making her bed!
About 4-5 minutes
10 out of 10
Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms
By: Wade Bradford, Illustrated by Johanna van der Sterre
Published by: Tricycle Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books (2011)
Approximate retail price: $16.99
Publisher’s recommended ages: 4 - 7