I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way
Written by Thad Krasnesky, Illustrated by David Parkins
Written by Thad Krasnesky, Illustrated by David Parkins
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8,
ISBN: 9780979974649, September 2009
ISBN: 9780979974649, 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.
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.
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."
From Horn Book:
Bouncy rhymed text and humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations follow little Emmy's path of destruction. Mom, a
first-class dupe, always comes to her rescue ("She told him to be nice to me. / After all...I'm only three"), but the mishaps pile up.
...older siblings will be satisfied by the tale's ending."
From 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 Children's Literature:
Emmy, a mischievous youngster, admits to taking advantage of the fact that "she's only three" to "always, always get my way." Spilling
juice on her dad is an accident, but soon she realizes that she can use that excuse to blame her brother, use her sister's "stuff," even get
covered with dirt while burying "loot" taken from all the family. But Emmy finally goes too far. Sent to bed, she sadly contemplates
being there "until I'm four." Parkins previews with humor on the jacket eight versions of Emmy's effective postures and facial
expressions, as her family contemplates with dismay. His pen-and-black ink line drawings on white pages focus on Emmy while
supplying enough cartoony details of her audacious activities. Watercolors add a sense of reality. While making readers and listeners
laugh, Emmy will remind many of their exasperating younger siblings. Do we hug her or what?--Ken and Sylvia Marantz
From Bookfoolery and Babble blog
"Definitely recommended. Wonderful, goofy-expressive illustrations,comfortable read-aloud rhyming and a solid theme make I
Always, Always Get My Way a winner....One of the wonderful things about Flashlight Press Books is that you can actually read the
books in their entirety at their website by clicking on the words "Look Inside!" just above the cover image. Here's the pdf site for I
Always, Always Get My Way. What a great way for parents, grandparents, aunts, etc. to find out whether or not the book is the right
choice!"
From The Florida Reading Journal, Volume 48, No.1, Winter 2012 (pp. 37-41)
“Book Reviews: Literature: Notable Books for Children and Young Adults”
"...a playful, expressive, dramatic, and very loveable protagonist. ...will undoubtedly leave many readers looking forward
to Emmy’s future adventures." --Thomas Crisp, University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee
From
Emmy drops juice on her father, but her mother reminds him that Emmy is only three. And Emmy gets away with things, even when
she is the one to blame. She is a smart girl, so she takes advantage of it, but, one day, she goes too far. I Always, ALWAYS Get My
Way, which I just finished reading, is a wonderful story. In fact, it is so wonderful that I couldn’t contain the urge to write this post.
The book is written by Thad Krasnesky, illustrated by David Parkins, and published by Flashlight Press. I found out about it when I
was browsing the Flashlight Press website, trying to learn more about them and what they publish.
I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way appeals to kids of a variety of ages. The little ones will connect with Emmy (I can see my three-
year old enjoying all the crazy things the little girl does). The older ones will connect with Emmy’s older siblings (I can see my 11-year
old saying “That is exactly what you do, you always blame me!”).
And, while I really, really enjoyed the story and will be purchasing one just as soon as I finish this post, the one thing that I did not like
as much was the length of it. My impression is that the book might be a bit too long for preschoolers. Although, it is written in beautiful
rhymes and it is a very active and well-illustrated book, which might help capture their attention.
So, for those of you that might be interested in reading it, here is a link to the Flashlight Press Blog. They have links to PDFs of several
of their books, which is actually a very helpful tool for those hopeful non-published authors (me, me, me!) who are researching
publishers. After you read it, if you like it, make sure you purchase it too. Happy reading!
From HealthyBooks.com
In this laugh-out-loud-funny book, the little girl uses all her wiles to get herself out of trouble until the final episode when even her usual
plea that works with mum comes unstuck: 'I sweetly answered, ''Don't blame me. Did you forget? I'm only three.'' It's a little hard to
believe that this little problem-maker is only three, but the premise is a great one - if a child is allowed to get by with murder, she
will continue to cause mayhem. In super rhyming couplets and the kind of expressive illustrations that add miles to the text,
we see this three-year-old catastrophe on legs get by with dumping orange juice down her dad's new trousers, blaming her brother for
an accident she caused herself, and using her sister's things without asking. But what disasters! Dad twigs that all is not well when she
digs a hole while playing pirates and tries to bury all the family silver. And even mum becomes suspicious when the living room is
littered with broken biscuits and mess from an early morning breakfast. And then there is the grandaddy of all messes that finally brings
the whole family together in knowing who is to blame. The little girl is sent to bed: 'I sadly closed my bedroom door. I may be here
until I'm four.' The huge humour makes the point extremely well without preaching. The book should be in every young
'madam's' library!
From Pages, Inc.
I Always, Always Get My Way... is hilarious. Three-year-old Emmy gets into all kinds of sticky situations, but she wiggles and
pouts her way out, because, after all––she’s only three. Big brother and sister get in trouble for Emmy’s wild behavior, and their
patience begins to wear thin. When Steve, the Iguana mysteriously escapes his cage and the over-flowing bathtub, Emmy is finally
sent to her room. Even her sweetest plea to mom and dad, “Don’t blame me. Did you forget? I’m only three!” can’t save her this
time! This book will be a favorite for years to come. The illustrations are amazing and children (and adults) will be eager to turn page
after page.--Edna Wallace, Editor
From The Lincoln Daily News
"...Thad Krasnesky and David Parks have teamed up to present us with a hilarious and too often true depiction of life with a spoiled 3-
year-old child. Emmy, with her large eyes, bare feet, crooked ponytail and oversized T-shirt, is the epitome of disaster waiting to
happen.... David Parks has captured all aspects of an adorable and frustrating 3-year-old. Emmy is pictured from innocent, doe-eyed
toddler to screaming, red-cheeked tyrant. He gives each spread an element of bright-colored detail that allows the reader to picture
the havoc wrought by the toddler, while using white space to draw the attention to the important aspects of the scene. Even the terror
on the lizard's face when confronted by a broom-wielding Emmy is both laughable and endearing! No matter what your age, if you
have children or have any experience with the little tots, you will laugh out loud at Emmy's antics, sympathize with her family and smile
at her inevitable realization that the world does not revolve around her whims. This is a story not to be missed." --Review by
Louella Moreland, Lincoln Public Library
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 Kids' Book Blog
"...a cute book about being spoiled. It is written in rhyme, and is sure to make you giggle. The great pictures depict all the trouble
Emmy gets into, as well as her sweet faces, and the fits she throws to get out of trouble!"
From Large Print Reviews
Three-year-olds have a knack for getting what they want. They are old enough to have figured out how to manipulate their parents,
but still young enough that they are easily forgiven for their mistakes. Three-year-old Emmy is a perfect example. When she does
something wrong, she tends to get away with it because she is 'only three'. However, three or not, there's a limit to how much mischief
one child can get into before she gets into real trouble!
I Always, Always Get My Way is a must read for children and adults. It is a cautionary tale for adults, reminding them that it can
be a major mistake to let youngsters get away with 'things' because they are only three. While children will revel in Emmy's antics
as they imagine what they might be able to get away with, if mom or dad would be so kind as to make excuses for them simply
because of their age.
This charming, rhymed story was written by Thad Krasnesky, and is accompanied by hilarious illustrations by David Parkins. At
one point Steve, an iguana that belongs to Emmy's brother falls into Emmy's hands and before the lizard knows what happens, he finds
himself dressed in a bikini bathing suit. The look of horror in the lizard eye is fantastically rendered and you really feel for Steve's plight!
This is one of those children's book that is a blast to read, and one which children of all ages will connect with. As well, the book is
printed in at least a 18-point font, making it easy on the eyes - especially when your kids beg you to read the book over and over
again. In addition, this font size makes this a large print book, which is a boon to those of us who require or desire large print books.
As well, this larger print size makes this book ideal for new readers who will find that the large text size makes it easier for them to
decode the text.
After reading I Always, Always Get My Way, be sure to check out That Cat Can't Stay. It is another outstanding children's book by
Thad Krasnesky and includes exuberant illustrations by David Parkins.--Reviewed by Anna Dogole
From For Immediate Release Reviews blog
This story is about a little girl named Emmy, who happens to be a very precocious three year old. She is also a smart little girl who
immediately picks up on the idea that she can get away with all sorts of trouble because ... she is only three.
The initial incident truly is a accident when Emmy innocently spills her orange juice on the breakfast table. Of course, the juice runs
straight to her Dad's pants, who has a few choice words about his daughter's carelessness. Emmy's mom comes to her rescue when
she utters the magic words "Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all ... she's only three." Voila. Emmy learns the power of the
perfect excuse.
Now that Emmy has caught on, there is no end in sight to her mischief making. Since three year olds are not held responsible for their
own actions, little Emmy can cause all sorts of mischief and mayhem with no consequences. Oh, boy. She takes her older sister's
things without permission, digs a gigantic hole in the backyard, muddies up her mum's nice chair and eats ice cream concoctions for
breakfast.
All the trouble Emmy creates comes crashing down about her shoulders when she tries to use her "little girl" excuse one too many
times. Suddenly her family realizes that Emmy is old enough to know better and to be held accountable for her actions when she
behaves inappropriately. No more free passes!
What a perfect book about a very important lesson that mommies and daddies, er, young children need to learn. Picking
up this book is a surefire way to teach this particular lesson in a painless way. You can enjoy the rhyming text paired with
funny, imaginative illustrations and feel good about the message imparted!
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."
From Horn Book:
Bouncy rhymed text and humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations follow little Emmy's path of destruction. Mom, a
first-class dupe, always comes to her rescue ("She told him to be nice to me. / After all...I'm only three"), but the mishaps pile up.
...older siblings will be satisfied by the tale's ending."
From 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 Children's Literature:
Emmy, a mischievous youngster, admits to taking advantage of the fact that "she's only three" to "always, always get my way." Spilling
juice on her dad is an accident, but soon she realizes that she can use that excuse to blame her brother, use her sister's "stuff," even get
covered with dirt while burying "loot" taken from all the family. But Emmy finally goes too far. Sent to bed, she sadly contemplates
being there "until I'm four." Parkins previews with humor on the jacket eight versions of Emmy's effective postures and facial
expressions, as her family contemplates with dismay. His pen-and-black ink line drawings on white pages focus on Emmy while
supplying enough cartoony details of her audacious activities. Watercolors add a sense of reality. While making readers and listeners
laugh, Emmy will remind many of their exasperating younger siblings. Do we hug her or what?--Ken and Sylvia Marantz
From Bookfoolery and Babble blog
"Definitely recommended. Wonderful, goofy-expressive illustrations,comfortable read-aloud rhyming and a solid theme make I
Always, Always Get My Way a winner....One of the wonderful things about Flashlight Press Books is that you can actually read the
books in their entirety at their website by clicking on the words "Look Inside!" just above the cover image. Here's the pdf site for I
Always, Always Get My Way. What a great way for parents, grandparents, aunts, etc. to find out whether or not the book is the right
choice!"
From The Florida Reading Journal, Volume 48, No.1, Winter 2012 (pp. 37-41)
“Book Reviews: Literature: Notable Books for Children and Young Adults”
"...a playful, expressive, dramatic, and very loveable protagonist. ...will undoubtedly leave many readers looking forward
to Emmy’s future adventures." --Thomas Crisp, University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee
From
Emmy drops juice on her father, but her mother reminds him that Emmy is only three. And Emmy gets away with things, even when
she is the one to blame. She is a smart girl, so she takes advantage of it, but, one day, she goes too far. I Always, ALWAYS Get My
Way, which I just finished reading, is a wonderful story. In fact, it is so wonderful that I couldn’t contain the urge to write this post.
The book is written by Thad Krasnesky, illustrated by David Parkins, and published by Flashlight Press. I found out about it when I
was browsing the Flashlight Press website, trying to learn more about them and what they publish.
I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way appeals to kids of a variety of ages. The little ones will connect with Emmy (I can see my three-
year old enjoying all the crazy things the little girl does). The older ones will connect with Emmy’s older siblings (I can see my 11-year
old saying “That is exactly what you do, you always blame me!”).
And, while I really, really enjoyed the story and will be purchasing one just as soon as I finish this post, the one thing that I did not like
as much was the length of it. My impression is that the book might be a bit too long for preschoolers. Although, it is written in beautiful
rhymes and it is a very active and well-illustrated book, which might help capture their attention.
So, for those of you that might be interested in reading it, here is a link to the Flashlight Press Blog. They have links to PDFs of several
of their books, which is actually a very helpful tool for those hopeful non-published authors (me, me, me!) who are researching
publishers. After you read it, if you like it, make sure you purchase it too. Happy reading!
From HealthyBooks.com
In this laugh-out-loud-funny book, the little girl uses all her wiles to get herself out of trouble until the final episode when even her usual
plea that works with mum comes unstuck: 'I sweetly answered, ''Don't blame me. Did you forget? I'm only three.'' It's a little hard to
believe that this little problem-maker is only three, but the premise is a great one - if a child is allowed to get by with murder, she
will continue to cause mayhem. In super rhyming couplets and the kind of expressive illustrations that add miles to the text,
we see this three-year-old catastrophe on legs get by with dumping orange juice down her dad's new trousers, blaming her brother for
an accident she caused herself, and using her sister's things without asking. But what disasters! Dad twigs that all is not well when she
digs a hole while playing pirates and tries to bury all the family silver. And even mum becomes suspicious when the living room is
littered with broken biscuits and mess from an early morning breakfast. And then there is the grandaddy of all messes that finally brings
the whole family together in knowing who is to blame. The little girl is sent to bed: 'I sadly closed my bedroom door. I may be here
until I'm four.' The huge humour makes the point extremely well without preaching. The book should be in every young
'madam's' library!
From Pages, Inc.
I Always, Always Get My Way... is hilarious. Three-year-old Emmy gets into all kinds of sticky situations, but she wiggles and
pouts her way out, because, after all––she’s only three. Big brother and sister get in trouble for Emmy’s wild behavior, and their
patience begins to wear thin. When Steve, the Iguana mysteriously escapes his cage and the over-flowing bathtub, Emmy is finally
sent to her room. Even her sweetest plea to mom and dad, “Don’t blame me. Did you forget? I’m only three!” can’t save her this
time! This book will be a favorite for years to come. The illustrations are amazing and children (and adults) will be eager to turn page
after page.--Edna Wallace, Editor
From The Lincoln Daily News
"...Thad Krasnesky and David Parks have teamed up to present us with a hilarious and too often true depiction of life with a spoiled 3-
year-old child. Emmy, with her large eyes, bare feet, crooked ponytail and oversized T-shirt, is the epitome of disaster waiting to
happen.... David Parks has captured all aspects of an adorable and frustrating 3-year-old. Emmy is pictured from innocent, doe-eyed
toddler to screaming, red-cheeked tyrant. He gives each spread an element of bright-colored detail that allows the reader to picture
the havoc wrought by the toddler, while using white space to draw the attention to the important aspects of the scene. Even the terror
on the lizard's face when confronted by a broom-wielding Emmy is both laughable and endearing! No matter what your age, if you
have children or have any experience with the little tots, you will laugh out loud at Emmy's antics, sympathize with her family and smile
at her inevitable realization that the world does not revolve around her whims. This is a story not to be missed." --Review by
Louella Moreland, Lincoln Public Library
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 Kids' Book Blog
"...a cute book about being spoiled. It is written in rhyme, and is sure to make you giggle. The great pictures depict all the trouble
Emmy gets into, as well as her sweet faces, and the fits she throws to get out of trouble!"
From Large Print Reviews
Three-year-olds have a knack for getting what they want. They are old enough to have figured out how to manipulate their parents,
but still young enough that they are easily forgiven for their mistakes. Three-year-old Emmy is a perfect example. When she does
something wrong, she tends to get away with it because she is 'only three'. However, three or not, there's a limit to how much mischief
one child can get into before she gets into real trouble!
I Always, Always Get My Way is a must read for children and adults. It is a cautionary tale for adults, reminding them that it can
be a major mistake to let youngsters get away with 'things' because they are only three. While children will revel in Emmy's antics
as they imagine what they might be able to get away with, if mom or dad would be so kind as to make excuses for them simply
because of their age.
This charming, rhymed story was written by Thad Krasnesky, and is accompanied by hilarious illustrations by David Parkins. At
one point Steve, an iguana that belongs to Emmy's brother falls into Emmy's hands and before the lizard knows what happens, he finds
himself dressed in a bikini bathing suit. The look of horror in the lizard eye is fantastically rendered and you really feel for Steve's plight!
This is one of those children's book that is a blast to read, and one which children of all ages will connect with. As well, the book is
printed in at least a 18-point font, making it easy on the eyes - especially when your kids beg you to read the book over and over
again. In addition, this font size makes this a large print book, which is a boon to those of us who require or desire large print books.
As well, this larger print size makes this book ideal for new readers who will find that the large text size makes it easier for them to
decode the text.
After reading I Always, Always Get My Way, be sure to check out That Cat Can't Stay. It is another outstanding children's book by
Thad Krasnesky and includes exuberant illustrations by David Parkins.--Reviewed by Anna Dogole
From For Immediate Release Reviews blog
This story is about a little girl named Emmy, who happens to be a very precocious three year old. She is also a smart little girl who
immediately picks up on the idea that she can get away with all sorts of trouble because ... she is only three.
The initial incident truly is a accident when Emmy innocently spills her orange juice on the breakfast table. Of course, the juice runs
straight to her Dad's pants, who has a few choice words about his daughter's carelessness. Emmy's mom comes to her rescue when
she utters the magic words "Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all ... she's only three." Voila. Emmy learns the power of the
perfect excuse.
Now that Emmy has caught on, there is no end in sight to her mischief making. Since three year olds are not held responsible for their
own actions, little Emmy can cause all sorts of mischief and mayhem with no consequences. Oh, boy. She takes her older sister's
things without permission, digs a gigantic hole in the backyard, muddies up her mum's nice chair and eats ice cream concoctions for
breakfast.
All the trouble Emmy creates comes crashing down about her shoulders when she tries to use her "little girl" excuse one too many
times. Suddenly her family realizes that Emmy is old enough to know better and to be held accountable for her actions when she
behaves inappropriately. No more free passes!
What a perfect book about a very important lesson that mommies and daddies, er, young children need to learn. Picking
up this book is a surefire way to teach this particular lesson in a painless way. You can enjoy the rhyming text paired with
funny, imaginative illustrations and feel good about the message imparted!
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
.
Available in: German and Chinese.
AWARDS & HONORS
an NSW Premier Reading Challenge Book in Australia
an NSW Premier Reading Challenge Book in Australia
| Picture Books That Explore and Illuminate |
Lexile Measure: 640 L
Mean Sentence Length: 9.91
Mean Log Word Frequency: 3.60
Word Count: 961
Mean Sentence Length: 9.91
Mean Log Word Frequency: 3.60
Word Count: 961
Peek inside by clicking the cover