| I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way Written by Thad Krasnesky Illustrated by David Parkins |
ISBN: 9780979974649
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8,
September 2009
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8,
September 2009
When Emmy accidentally spills juice on her dad’s pants, she takes refuge behind
Mom’s knee. Expecting a reprimand, Emmy is surprised when Mom tells Dad,
“Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all…she’s only three.” What an
amazing discovery! She’s too young to be punished!
For the next few days, whenever one of Emmy's creative projects ends in a
wreck, she wangles her way out of trouble by proclaiming “I’m only three” and
pulling a handy weapon from her arsenal of manipulative maneuvers. With a
carefully aimed pout, a shift of blame, or an all-out tantrum, this girl sure knows
how to always, ALWAYS get her way.
But even the most understanding families have their limit, and in this laugh-out-loud
story, it turns out that the limit looks a lot like an iguana in a bikini.
Take a walk on the wild side with an endearingly self-absorbed little scamp who
gets caught up in what she’s doing without foreseeing the consequences.
Mom’s knee. Expecting a reprimand, Emmy is surprised when Mom tells Dad,
“Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all…she’s only three.” What an
amazing discovery! She’s too young to be punished!
For the next few days, whenever one of Emmy's creative projects ends in a
wreck, she wangles her way out of trouble by proclaiming “I’m only three” and
pulling a handy weapon from her arsenal of manipulative maneuvers. With a
carefully aimed pout, a shift of blame, or an all-out tantrum, this girl sure knows
how to always, ALWAYS get her way.
But even the most understanding families have their limit, and in this laugh-out-loud
story, it turns out that the limit looks a lot like an iguana in a bikini.
Take a walk on the wild side with an endearingly self-absorbed little scamp who
gets caught up in what she’s doing without foreseeing the consequences.
| picture books that explore and illuminate |
Available at your favorite bookseller or
through:
through:
Praise for I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way
A Cybils Award nominee
The Cybils are the Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards. See the full list of nominees here: Finalists will be
posted on January 1st and winners announced on Valentine's Day.
Kirkus Reviews:
"While little Emmy appears sweet, her looks are deceiving. She superglues her sister's skateboard to her dollhouse, claims
her family's possessions as pirate loot and steals her brother's lizard for a bikini-clad bath-time swim. Emmy masterminds a
(practically) foolproof plan to avoid trouble through tantrums and sulking. Her mother initially dismisses her poor choices -
"after all . . . She's only three"- though Emmy's manipulation eventually runs its course. "I sadly closed my bedroom door. / I
may be here until I'm four." Parkins's pen-and-ink cartoons utilize disproportionate facial features for comical effect.
Watercolors provide dashes of varied colors against bright white backgrounds. Emmy is physically charming: Her rosy
cheeks, disheveled hair and bare feet convey a youthful exuberance. Her animated expressions perfectly capture her
scheming antics. Wearing solid oversized shirts, striped leggings and matching ribbons, she pouts her way into her family's
hearts. Although the verse doesn't have the suppleness of [Shel] Silverstein, it does partake of his subversiveness. Overall,
the result is a youngster more exasperating than endearing, one that many an older sibling will recognize with grim delight."
Publishers Weekly:
"At first, three-year-old Emmy gets away with peccadilloes like spilling orange juice on her dad’s trousers and using her
older sister’s art materials (“Mom told her she should share with me./ After all... I’m only three”), pinning the blame on her
siblings. But when her shenanigans spiral out of control (an early morning ice cream feast, setting loose her brother’s pet
lizard, causing the bathtub to overflow), her family wises up. “Mom pointed to the stairs and said,/ 'That’s it, young lady!/
GO TO BED!’ ” British illustrator Parkins (Dick King-Smith’s Sophie books) works in cartoon-style ink and wash, using
vignettes to focus on Emmy’s yowls of indignation and insouciant smiles and having fun with Emmy’s more elaborate
misdeeds. Newcomer Krasnesky writes tightly disciplined verse that never flags, sprinkled with parenthetical
asides and modern phrases (“ 'That’s SO not true, Mom,’ Suzie said”). Mischievous Emmy is a little too manipulative
and self-serving to sympathize with completely—but that doesn’t make her any less authentic a character. This is a fast-
moving crowd-pleaser made for reading aloud."
School Library Journal:
"Three-year-old Emmy wreaks havoc on her entire household. From spilling orange juice on Daddy at breakfast, to
adorning her brother's pet iguana in a bathing suit and letting the bathtub overflow, she's got curiosity and mayhem covered.
Krasnesky tells the story with flowing rhyme that accommodates the humor of the plot and heightens Parkins's
comical cartoon illustrations. "I tiptoed into Tommy's room/and found a way to use the broom/to get the lizard off the
shelf,/entirely all by myself." As the star of this story gets into different sticky situations, she continually responds with the
adage that "I'm only three," so not much should be expected of her. While her mother seems to respond to the little devil's
helpless plea, it isn't long before things snowball and Emmy finds herself in a serious time-out."
Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine:
"Emmy gets away with everything—she’s only 3, after all—until her parents reach the limit of their patience, and
Emmy must face a new concept: consequence." See the feature here.
From ForeWord Magazine:
Krasnesky is an Army major, veteran of three tours of duty in Iraq, and an instructor at West Point. He’s also a splendidly
accomplished children’s book author as evidenced by this rollicking, rhyming, and incisive look into family dynamics
when the roost is ruled by a three-year-old. Yes, Emmy gets the best of brother, sister, mother, father, and even the
family iguana by playing the just-a-little-girl card, but her fortunes turn in the end. Parkins captures it all in superb cartoon-
like illustrations.
From PBS Parents Booklights
"The terrible two's might bring tantrums and frustration, but the tricky three's are all about testing limits. One of the hardest
things in approaching this age is figuring out when the child isn't old enough to understand something and when they do know
better. This book is a wonderful, learning tribute to that concept handled in a light way."
From The Sacramento Book Review:
"Emmy is a bratty three-year-old if there ever was one, yet a very smart one as well. She plays up the fact that she’s cute
and only three. Quite frankly, she is a terror around the house. She takes her siblings’ things and makes huge messes. Her
mom is usually right there to protect her. On a Sunday morning Emmy decides to entertain herself as usual and creates a
disaster around the entire house. She figures she’ll get away with it since she usually does, but this time is different. Emmy,
for the first time in the book, receives a punishment of getting sent to bed.
I sweetly answered, “Don’t blame me. Did you forget? I’m only three!”
I Always, Always Get My Way will resonate with parents everywhere. Children go through phases, such as the terrible
twos, and it is hard to discipline small, adorable children when they look up at you with those innocent eyes. In most cases,
they have outwitted you and know exactly what your kryptonite is. Parents will chuckle, and children will realize there are
consequences for their actions. Iraq War veteran and author Thad Krasnesky uses a rhyming style that makes it
fun to read and fun to listen to, making it a perfect bedtime story. Well-established illustrator David Parkins does
a fantastic job of capturing the essence of a mischievous three-year-old."
From Katie's Literature Lounge blog
Little Emmy always gets her way - after all... she's only three! However, this family finally has the opportunity to see the real
suspect at work and decides to teach her a lesson of her own (gently, of course). Older siblings and parents will totally
connect with little Emmy's behavior and the feelings that coincide with her always having her own way about things.
However, hopefully, they'll be learning the all too important message that this book portrays - don't give in to to your little
ones (or big ones for that matter) and let them get away with things because of that oh-so-cute face... they'll quickly learn to
milk you for all you're worth!
From Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
"Choices have consequences, that's plain to see; but it's not always obvious . . . when you are three!
Meet Emmy, a three-year old tornado who challenges her family by pushing on and testing their boundaries for her. Watch
as she storms through the house, kicks up some dust, and then sits back to see how it settles. Will they be able to outlast her
as she whirls in and turns their world upside down?
Initially, both her sister and brother get in trouble because of Mom's willingness to chalk it up to her age - perhaps you
remember the terrible threes? But that excuse wears thin and, in the end, despite Emmy's amazing attempt to divide and
conquer, both parents are able to see that, regardless of her age, this little twister needs to be held accountable for her
actions. With a little bit of luck, the reflective time-out in her room will be just what she needs to teach the somewhat-
spoiled sister that she does NOT always get her way.
David Parkins' eye-catching illustrations are precious as he brings to life author Thad Krasnesky's little heroine and her
creative commotion.
This whimsical tale is sure to entertain and connect with anyone who's ever had a sneaky sibling. Once the laughter has
subsided, it might also spark an interesting discussion about choices and consequences."
From MyShelf.com
"The youngest of three children, Emmy has learned to take advantage of her status as "only three." When Mom defends her
after an accidental orange juice catastrophe, Emmy discovers that Mom will take her side even when she's increasingly out-
of-line. But when she turns into a full-tilt terror, will she really always get her way? Emmy's creative antics, coupled with
David Parkins' whimsical illustrations, go a long way towards helping the reader like Emmy, even when she's
being totally outrageous. The look on the face of the poor iguana who takes part in one of Emmy's schemes—
against his will and wearing a bikini—is completely priceless. It looks like the poor lizard is going to need years of
counseling. It's a lively story of a little girl running rudely into the lesson of personal responsibility. The illustrations are so
engaging that my ten-year-old grabbed the book from my desk for a look, even though she's well into the age of horror at
being seen with a "baby book." This book should grab a lot of readers with its look, then hold onto them through the giggles
in the story."
From Christine Hohlbaum, author of S.A.H.M. I Am
"How to Always, Always Get Your Way: It has been five years since a three-year-old ran our house. My son, now
eight, prefers to spank a soccer ball against the wall or ride his bike with friends. On some days I miss his younger self,
whose life wasn't complicated by homework assignments and schoolhouse worries. But when the folks at Flashlight Press
sent me I Always, Always Get My Way about three-year-old Emmy whose parents make excuses for her mischief until she
finally dresses the family pet lizard in a bikini, I remembered the other part of having a three-year-old that makes my life now
look tidy and less stressful.
Emmy, like any three-year-old, has an ability to look sweet and innocent and completely incapable of doing harm. While
her siblings are on to her shenanigans from the start, her clueless parents are blind to her ways until she takes it too far. With
a smart, Seuss-like cadence, the rhyming structure is pleasant to read. Author Thad Krasnesky, a US Army major,
employs such gentle truth to the subject that I was rather surprised to learn he is an instructor at West Point. The illustrations
by David Parkins, are adorable and compelling, especially the scene in which Emmy is caught eating ice cream in the early
morning in front of the TV.
Whether you currently have a preschooler or not, the book is a fun read the whole family will enjoy!"
From A Patchwork of Books blog
"...a laugh-out-loud story, screaming to be read to your kids!"
From The Midwest Book Review
"Thad Krasnesky is a master storyteller. Through the expert illustrations of David Parkins, I Always Always Get My Way is
a sheer delight to read and experience. With its rhyming storyline, a cast of loveable characters, this book will quickly
become one of your child's all time favorites. Very highly recommended."
From ChildrensBooksGuide.com
"Kids will love to see Emmy get away with so many misdeeds. …They will be left wondering if her behavior will ever catch
up with her. Curiosity will keep them enthusiastically reading to find out Emmy’s fate.... Thad Kranesky, uses delightful
rhyming text to bring humor to the story that leaves the readers laughing at Emmy’s shenanigans.... David Parkins masterfully
conveys Emmy’s many emotions through his drawings.... Children, parents and caregivers will enjoy sharing this book
together."
The Bank Street Bookstore appearance by Thad Krasnesky, author of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way, was mentioned
on Nickelodeon's GoCityKids ParentsConnect.com calendar, in TimeOutNYKids.com, and on Examiner.com
.
A Cybils Award nominee
The Cybils are the Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards. See the full list of nominees here: Finalists will be
posted on January 1st and winners announced on Valentine's Day.
Kirkus Reviews:
"While little Emmy appears sweet, her looks are deceiving. She superglues her sister's skateboard to her dollhouse, claims
her family's possessions as pirate loot and steals her brother's lizard for a bikini-clad bath-time swim. Emmy masterminds a
(practically) foolproof plan to avoid trouble through tantrums and sulking. Her mother initially dismisses her poor choices -
"after all . . . She's only three"- though Emmy's manipulation eventually runs its course. "I sadly closed my bedroom door. / I
may be here until I'm four." Parkins's pen-and-ink cartoons utilize disproportionate facial features for comical effect.
Watercolors provide dashes of varied colors against bright white backgrounds. Emmy is physically charming: Her rosy
cheeks, disheveled hair and bare feet convey a youthful exuberance. Her animated expressions perfectly capture her
scheming antics. Wearing solid oversized shirts, striped leggings and matching ribbons, she pouts her way into her family's
hearts. Although the verse doesn't have the suppleness of [Shel] Silverstein, it does partake of his subversiveness. Overall,
the result is a youngster more exasperating than endearing, one that many an older sibling will recognize with grim delight."
Publishers Weekly:
"At first, three-year-old Emmy gets away with peccadilloes like spilling orange juice on her dad’s trousers and using her
older sister’s art materials (“Mom told her she should share with me./ After all... I’m only three”), pinning the blame on her
siblings. But when her shenanigans spiral out of control (an early morning ice cream feast, setting loose her brother’s pet
lizard, causing the bathtub to overflow), her family wises up. “Mom pointed to the stairs and said,/ 'That’s it, young lady!/
GO TO BED!’ ” British illustrator Parkins (Dick King-Smith’s Sophie books) works in cartoon-style ink and wash, using
vignettes to focus on Emmy’s yowls of indignation and insouciant smiles and having fun with Emmy’s more elaborate
misdeeds. Newcomer Krasnesky writes tightly disciplined verse that never flags, sprinkled with parenthetical
asides and modern phrases (“ 'That’s SO not true, Mom,’ Suzie said”). Mischievous Emmy is a little too manipulative
and self-serving to sympathize with completely—but that doesn’t make her any less authentic a character. This is a fast-
moving crowd-pleaser made for reading aloud."
School Library Journal:
"Three-year-old Emmy wreaks havoc on her entire household. From spilling orange juice on Daddy at breakfast, to
adorning her brother's pet iguana in a bathing suit and letting the bathtub overflow, she's got curiosity and mayhem covered.
Krasnesky tells the story with flowing rhyme that accommodates the humor of the plot and heightens Parkins's
comical cartoon illustrations. "I tiptoed into Tommy's room/and found a way to use the broom/to get the lizard off the
shelf,/entirely all by myself." As the star of this story gets into different sticky situations, she continually responds with the
adage that "I'm only three," so not much should be expected of her. While her mother seems to respond to the little devil's
helpless plea, it isn't long before things snowball and Emmy finds herself in a serious time-out."
Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine:
"Emmy gets away with everything—she’s only 3, after all—until her parents reach the limit of their patience, and
Emmy must face a new concept: consequence." See the feature here.
From ForeWord Magazine:
Krasnesky is an Army major, veteran of three tours of duty in Iraq, and an instructor at West Point. He’s also a splendidly
accomplished children’s book author as evidenced by this rollicking, rhyming, and incisive look into family dynamics
when the roost is ruled by a three-year-old. Yes, Emmy gets the best of brother, sister, mother, father, and even the
family iguana by playing the just-a-little-girl card, but her fortunes turn in the end. Parkins captures it all in superb cartoon-
like illustrations.
From PBS Parents Booklights
"The terrible two's might bring tantrums and frustration, but the tricky three's are all about testing limits. One of the hardest
things in approaching this age is figuring out when the child isn't old enough to understand something and when they do know
better. This book is a wonderful, learning tribute to that concept handled in a light way."
From The Sacramento Book Review:
"Emmy is a bratty three-year-old if there ever was one, yet a very smart one as well. She plays up the fact that she’s cute
and only three. Quite frankly, she is a terror around the house. She takes her siblings’ things and makes huge messes. Her
mom is usually right there to protect her. On a Sunday morning Emmy decides to entertain herself as usual and creates a
disaster around the entire house. She figures she’ll get away with it since she usually does, but this time is different. Emmy,
for the first time in the book, receives a punishment of getting sent to bed.
I sweetly answered, “Don’t blame me. Did you forget? I’m only three!”
I Always, Always Get My Way will resonate with parents everywhere. Children go through phases, such as the terrible
twos, and it is hard to discipline small, adorable children when they look up at you with those innocent eyes. In most cases,
they have outwitted you and know exactly what your kryptonite is. Parents will chuckle, and children will realize there are
consequences for their actions. Iraq War veteran and author Thad Krasnesky uses a rhyming style that makes it
fun to read and fun to listen to, making it a perfect bedtime story. Well-established illustrator David Parkins does
a fantastic job of capturing the essence of a mischievous three-year-old."
From Katie's Literature Lounge blog
Little Emmy always gets her way - after all... she's only three! However, this family finally has the opportunity to see the real
suspect at work and decides to teach her a lesson of her own (gently, of course). Older siblings and parents will totally
connect with little Emmy's behavior and the feelings that coincide with her always having her own way about things.
However, hopefully, they'll be learning the all too important message that this book portrays - don't give in to to your little
ones (or big ones for that matter) and let them get away with things because of that oh-so-cute face... they'll quickly learn to
milk you for all you're worth!
From Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
"Choices have consequences, that's plain to see; but it's not always obvious . . . when you are three!
Meet Emmy, a three-year old tornado who challenges her family by pushing on and testing their boundaries for her. Watch
as she storms through the house, kicks up some dust, and then sits back to see how it settles. Will they be able to outlast her
as she whirls in and turns their world upside down?
Initially, both her sister and brother get in trouble because of Mom's willingness to chalk it up to her age - perhaps you
remember the terrible threes? But that excuse wears thin and, in the end, despite Emmy's amazing attempt to divide and
conquer, both parents are able to see that, regardless of her age, this little twister needs to be held accountable for her
actions. With a little bit of luck, the reflective time-out in her room will be just what she needs to teach the somewhat-
spoiled sister that she does NOT always get her way.
David Parkins' eye-catching illustrations are precious as he brings to life author Thad Krasnesky's little heroine and her
creative commotion.
This whimsical tale is sure to entertain and connect with anyone who's ever had a sneaky sibling. Once the laughter has
subsided, it might also spark an interesting discussion about choices and consequences."
From MyShelf.com
"The youngest of three children, Emmy has learned to take advantage of her status as "only three." When Mom defends her
after an accidental orange juice catastrophe, Emmy discovers that Mom will take her side even when she's increasingly out-
of-line. But when she turns into a full-tilt terror, will she really always get her way? Emmy's creative antics, coupled with
David Parkins' whimsical illustrations, go a long way towards helping the reader like Emmy, even when she's
being totally outrageous. The look on the face of the poor iguana who takes part in one of Emmy's schemes—
against his will and wearing a bikini—is completely priceless. It looks like the poor lizard is going to need years of
counseling. It's a lively story of a little girl running rudely into the lesson of personal responsibility. The illustrations are so
engaging that my ten-year-old grabbed the book from my desk for a look, even though she's well into the age of horror at
being seen with a "baby book." This book should grab a lot of readers with its look, then hold onto them through the giggles
in the story."
From Christine Hohlbaum, author of S.A.H.M. I Am
"How to Always, Always Get Your Way: It has been five years since a three-year-old ran our house. My son, now
eight, prefers to spank a soccer ball against the wall or ride his bike with friends. On some days I miss his younger self,
whose life wasn't complicated by homework assignments and schoolhouse worries. But when the folks at Flashlight Press
sent me I Always, Always Get My Way about three-year-old Emmy whose parents make excuses for her mischief until she
finally dresses the family pet lizard in a bikini, I remembered the other part of having a three-year-old that makes my life now
look tidy and less stressful.
Emmy, like any three-year-old, has an ability to look sweet and innocent and completely incapable of doing harm. While
her siblings are on to her shenanigans from the start, her clueless parents are blind to her ways until she takes it too far. With
a smart, Seuss-like cadence, the rhyming structure is pleasant to read. Author Thad Krasnesky, a US Army major,
employs such gentle truth to the subject that I was rather surprised to learn he is an instructor at West Point. The illustrations
by David Parkins, are adorable and compelling, especially the scene in which Emmy is caught eating ice cream in the early
morning in front of the TV.
Whether you currently have a preschooler or not, the book is a fun read the whole family will enjoy!"
From A Patchwork of Books blog
"...a laugh-out-loud story, screaming to be read to your kids!"
From The Midwest Book Review
"Thad Krasnesky is a master storyteller. Through the expert illustrations of David Parkins, I Always Always Get My Way is
a sheer delight to read and experience. With its rhyming storyline, a cast of loveable characters, this book will quickly
become one of your child's all time favorites. Very highly recommended."
From ChildrensBooksGuide.com
"Kids will love to see Emmy get away with so many misdeeds. …They will be left wondering if her behavior will ever catch
up with her. Curiosity will keep them enthusiastically reading to find out Emmy’s fate.... Thad Kranesky, uses delightful
rhyming text to bring humor to the story that leaves the readers laughing at Emmy’s shenanigans.... David Parkins masterfully
conveys Emmy’s many emotions through his drawings.... Children, parents and caregivers will enjoy sharing this book
together."
The Bank Street Bookstore appearance by Thad Krasnesky, author of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way, was mentioned
on Nickelodeon's GoCityKids ParentsConnect.com calendar, in TimeOutNYKids.com, and on Examiner.com
.