You know, conceptually these James Stevenson "Mr. Frimdimpny" books are great -- interactive like Mo Willems' "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" series, where the kids get to talk back to the characters in the book. But they just don't work for me (or for my 2.5yo toddler). The concept is, a big mean authority figure (male) tells the reader not to laugh, giggle, sing, etc. Then there is an ostensibly hilarious situation (a hippo dancing in a fragile glass store, a waiter knocking over a bunch of food), and the kid is supposed to not be able to help laughing. But honestly the jokes just aren't that funny -- even to a toddler and even with my best "hilarious voice". [return][return]The interactivity works better with Stevenson's "Quick, Turn the Page!" (we read it in French: "Vite, tourne la page!") where surprising things happen if you do or don't turn the page in particular ways. And also, Mo Willems' "Pigeon" series is great for kids getting to boss someone else around. (And perhaps see the absurdity of their own ploys? Nah.) But like I said it just doesn't work very well here. [return][return]Also, it doesn't help that virtually all the characters are coded male, and to the extent they are actually people, they are also white. Adding the lack of representational diversity on to the top of the not-as-funny-as-they-should-be, and I just can't recommend these books. [return][return](Review copied to both "Don't Make Me Laugh" and "No Laughing, No Smiling, No Giggling".) ( )

Similar to Stevenson's other book, "Don't Make Me Laugh", this book is very engaging and will keep students entertained throughout. Students will be told consistently not to do things in this book; however, in this book, that means students must DO what was told of them not to. For example, students will blow a balloon and tickle the alligator which are two things they are told NOT to do. James Stevenson put together this interactive and entertaining book that I believe is very good for interactive read alouds for young students. ( )

Mr. Frimdimpny is an alligator who is in charge of the book and always tell everyone what not to do. He is very strict with his rules and if you don't follow them you have to go back to the front of the book. His main rules include not laughing or giggling or even smiling.
I thought that the author seemed to be trying to hard to make the story funny. I'm sure there are some very young kids that would love the book but it seemed very overly silly to me. ( )

This is a real crowd pleaser. Mr. Frimdimpy is truly a world class humbug. Kids laughed the whole time I read this. Perfect for a young audience. ( )

Summary: Freddy the pig is guiding the reader through the story, but Mr. Frimdimphy the alligator is in charge of the book, and he gives very strict rules of no laughing, smiling, or giggling, or the reader must return to the beginning of the story. Freddy soon finds, however, that the alligator has a secret: when someone tickles his tail, he giggles. Several very funny short stories are then told, and Freddy, who keeps laughing, gets sent to the beginning of the book, as to readers for laughing, smiling, or giggling. In the end, Freddy goes to make Mr. Frimdimphy giggle by tickling him in his sleep, but ends up caught under the alligator. The reader must then tickle Mr. Frimdimphy's tail to save Freddy, and the alligator himself is sent back to the beginning of the book.
Media: Watercolors ( )