No David! By: David Shannon (1998)

"No, David!” by David Shannon is a children’s book that I will always hold dear to my heart. I have read this to my own son many times. When he was younger I would read it as “No, Jonny” instead of “No, David” as my son would act out the silly parts, and we would both laugh and laugh. David is a character that anyone can relate too. He is always getting into trouble, and like many children he is constantly hearing the word “No” Whether he is tracking mud through the house or banging on pots and pans, this little guy is always getting into something. At the end of the book David’s mother assures him everything is okay as she hugs him and says, “Yes, David… I love you!”

David Shannon’s mother found a collection of drawings that David had created as a child. The only words on those pages were “no” and “David”. These drawings inspired David to write and illustrate the first of the Diaper David books. “No, David!” This book was based off of David Shannon’s memories of his own childhood. The pages of “No, David” have very few words, but the pictures really tell the humorous story of young David.  In 1999, this book became a Caldecott Honor Book, because the pictures really bring the pages alive.

David Shannon was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Spokane Washington. He went to college at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California, and then moved to New York City. He currently lives with his wife in Los Angeles, California. (http://www.scholastic.com/titles/nodavid/davidshannon.htm, retrieved on February 8, 2011).

Genre: This book is fiction, although it is based on the author, David Shannon's childhood. This book could be used for character education in the classroom.
Theme: Following rules. Consequences. Cause and Effect.
Age level: 2 years and up
Pre-reading Activity: While sitting on the mat with a large group, discuss the cover with students. Talk about times when students have been in trouble. What happened when they got in trouble. How did this make them feel?
Post-reading Activity: Students should discuss the rules they know. What are the rules at home? What are the rules in the classroom? What are the rules in other places they spend time? Ask students why they think we have rules? Discuss safety.