Praise for That's Not Funny, David!:
"Shannon still knows how to appeal to readers… in energetic, highly expressive art." — Kirkus Review
Praise for No, David!:
Caldecott Honor Book
* “The illustrations are wonderful, full of good-time trouble-making tomfoolery… David… is nothing short of exhilarating.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “”This book is perfect for reading aloud.” — School Library Journal, starred review
* “The text rings soooo true…” – BCCB, starred review
“Children… will recognize immediately that they have found a kindred spirit.” — New York Times
“Young listeners will know ALL the words, the temptation to chime in will be irresistible.” — Booklist
“Kids won’t be able to resist the rough-and-tumble David with his fanglike teeth, spiky hair and a monster talent for getting into trouble.” — Newsweek
Praise for David Goes to School:
“The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere…” —Kirkus Reviews
“David is a lovable character whose emotions flow across his round face.” — School Library Journal
“The exaggerated shapes and slightly cartoonish poses of an array of students in all-too-familiar situations will have youngsters crowding together over the book at recess.” — Publishers Weekly
“Shannon's picture-book-a-clef, with its acid colors and bold, flat planes, can be laugh-out-loud funny or catch-in-your-throat memorable.” — Booklist
“David… will be recognizable (and perhaps inspiring) to viewers, who are unlikely ever to say No to David.” — BCCB
Praise for David Gets in Trouble
“The contemporary stylistic art is just right for depicting the boy's antics and his high-energy personality.” — School Library Journal
“This memorable character is nothing short of a force of nature, from his scribbled eyes and hair to his shark-sharp teeth.” — Publishers Weekly
“In the trademark finish, David offers up an apology… Disarming as he always is—what a blessing he lives on the page and not in our lives.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for It’s Christmas, David!:
“From David's hyper anticipation, to his very real fear that maybe his behavior makes him unworthy of Santa's attention, to the comforting and blissful endpage.” — School Library Journal
“Shannon's having just as much fun as David is, and his mixed-media art and kinetic kid's-eye-view pull readers in for a happy Christmas morning.” — Publishers Weekly
“The touching final page shows David clutching his new fire truck and a note from Santa, with Mom's protective arm around him as always.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Grow Up David!:
“A series of brotherly tussles, pranks, domestic disasters, and goofy bids for attention.” — Kirkus Reviews
05/01/2025
PreS-Gr 2—For those who find the humor and heart in the wild, destructive David stories, the books are immensely rewarding, and That's Not Funny, David! fits that bill. It begins with a heartfelt author's note discussing the difficulty in finding "the line" between funny and hurtful. In traditional David style, each spread features the boy doing something naughty, with a stark voice admonishing the action. It shows plenty of things that are funny—splashing, slurping—but also some that are downright rude. It delves into the idea of going too far, encouraging David and readers to think through the consequences of their actions. Is this choice hurting someone? Then it's probably not great. VERDICT A wild romp discovering the boundaries of humor, with warmth and inspiration.
2025-01-18
The circular-headed, triangular-toothed protagonist of Shannon’s Caldecott Honor–winningNo, David! (1998) returns to prove once and for all that humor is subjective.
An author’s note at the book’s beginning observes that, for kids, the line between funny and not funny is meant to be constantly tested. Enter David. Written entirely in admonishments by authority figures such as parents and teachers, the book stresses that David makes mischief not for the sake of being a nuisance, but more because it amuses him deeply (even if he’s the only one who’s amused). He might blow bubbles in his drink one moment or perform a cannonball in a crowded pool the next. The narrators—generally unseen, though readers catch glimpses of adults’ hands and legs—protest, “That’s not funny!” or “You always go too far!” Still, David can’t seem to stop himself, which sometimes leads to painful consequences, like getting his head stuck between the bars on a porch or inadvertently wedging a peanut up his nose. A final admittance by a caregiver that sometimes David is funny (“What am I going to do with you?”) caps everything off warmly. While there’s little to distinguish this from previous David books, Shannon still knows how to appeal to readers. In the energetic, highly expressive art, David is tan-skinned; the supporting cast is diverse.
More of the same from a kid who does what he does so well.(Picture book. 3-6)
