It's Not Fair (It's So Unfair! - Pat Thomson)

Member Name: belfin

Product:	It's So Unfair! - Pat Thomson
Date:	07/08/09 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Children can join in and try to remember what happened.

Disadvantages: None

***Background***

Pat Thomson has written a number of children's books although to be fair she is probably better known for writing books for slightly older children rather than picture books like this one. Jonathan Allen provides us with illustrations and this book is ideal for him as he specialises in writing and drawing books full of animals.

***The Story***

The story starts with a cat being chased out of the farmhouse.

"BANG went the door and SWISH went the broom.
The farmyard animals heard Mrs Prout say, 'OUT, CAT, OUT!'
'Meeow,' said Cat, 'that's so unfair.'"

The hens ask her what happened and she replies that she only drank a little milk. This doesn't sound too bad and the hens are disgusted by this but what they don't know is that the picture of the cat's thoughts are telling the full story and we see how she has knocked over a carton of milk on the table before drinking it.

The hens then tell the ducks and cat adds that she also only nibbled the baby's breakfast. Of course the full story is that she ate it from the bowl while it is in front of the baby.

Stories continue to be told around the farmyard and each time cat admits to something else she has done. All the animals think that the Farmer should be told and even he sympathises until he finds out that the cat has also made a puddle on his favourite chair as well so he chases the cat back out too and the story ends with all the animals sympathising with a stunned looking cat.

***The Illustrations***

The pictures in this book are full of comical expressions and bright colours that really catch a child's eye. A lot of the text in is speech bubbles and this is great for encouraging new readers to help out with parts of the story. A lot of the sounds are also written in big and bold lettering to make them really stand out.

***My Thoughts***

This book is very funny throughout and that is mainly down to the wonderful illustrations, which show looks of horror and surprise on the animals' faces. The story is of course amusing too though and I like the way the animals all seem totally shocked about the farmer's wife's reaction despite the long list of things that the naughty cat has done.

My son really enjoyed retelling the list as it got longer and longer with each different animal that is told and he kept saying that the cat did an awfully lot of things too and asking if he would get chased out if he did any of those things.

I loved the way that the farmer seemed to think there was nothing wrong with hiding a mouse in granny's slipper or trying to catch the goldfish from the bowl and was ready to invite the cat back into the house until he found that there had been a mess made on his favourite chair. I have to say I applauded the cat for that one considering the way the farmer was so forgiving when it was other people's things being damaged and it really made my son laugh to see the indignant look on the animals' faces at the end of the story.

I think young children will be able to relate to this book because there is always going to be a time when they have done something wrong and will think that the punishment is too severe for the crime. I've lost count of the times my own children have been grounded and then complained to grandparents who have sympathised with them, obviously not knowing the whole story. I'm sure most parents too will recognise this behaviour.

***Price & Availability***

This large paperback retails for £5.99 but is available from WH Smith for only £4.79.

ISBN No. 1842705946

Summary: Funny book with lovely illustrations.