Finn Throws a Fit

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Artwork gives humorous spin to tale of a "terrible two."
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book does a great job of showing just how fleeting, yet all-absorbing, a kid's fit can be. It includes a nice message for kids that parents will love you no matter how bad a fit can get.

  • Not applicable.
  • For parents, the message shows that kids' fits are like storms. You often don't see them coming or know what exactly set them off.  And they pass just as quickly. For kids, the message is that parents will love you no matter how you act.
  • The tone of this book is loving and supportive even though it is about a cranky toddler throwing a tantrum.  Parents try to find out what is wrong, endure the storm, and love the child when he is back to normal. 
  • Not really violent, though Finn's fit causes quite a storm, including thunder, lightning, flooding, an avalanche and an "earthquake that shakes the world."

What's the story?

When Finn has a fit, his parents are at their wits' end trying to figure out what is wrong. This is one of those days though when the cranky toddler is just out of sorts. His tantrum storms through the household and then subsides as quickly, and mysteriously, as it came.


Is it any good?

 

Most parents who have raised a toddler have had days like this. In the heat of the moment, the toddler seems impossible, and harried parents grasp for solutions, none of which seem to work. Then suddenly, all is back to nomal. And though such fits happen at all ages, this is what some people commonly call "the terrible two's." 

In playful artwork that is a perfect partner to the simplicity of the tale, FINN THROWS A FIT captures just such a raging toddler-driven storm while giving a humourous spin to the whole experience. Importantly, the first image is of the angelic, smiling toddler before the tantrum begins.  And, the ending again shows the happy loving family, together again after having weathered the whole experience.

Readers will love these illustrations. Drawn with dark grease pencil lines and charcoal, and painted in oils, the faces, and body positions, of the Mom, Dad, and Finn are so expressive that only a few words are needed to tell the story.  Even the dog adds to the mood. The toddler, with his yellow boots, comfy-looking blue onesie, and cuddly blanket is adorable even when upsetting the household. Throughout the pages small details add energy and humor. Just enough is shown, and just enough is said. 


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how they know that a fit is about to start in the book. How does Finn change from the first page when he is sitting in his green chair, holding peaches, to the next page when he has his blanket pulled around him, and a dark cloud is hovering overhead? How about throughout the rest of the book? And then on the last page...

  • What do you think made him feel that way? Why was he so cranky? What made him happy again?

  • Have you ever felt like Finn did? Do you always know why you feel cranky? What makes you happy again?


This review was written by Patricia Tauzer

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This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
Author:David Elliott
Illustrator:Timothy Basil Ering
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Picture Book
Publisher:Candlewick Press
Publication date:August 25, 2009
Number of pages:32
Hardcover price:$16.99
Read aloud:3
Read alone:5

This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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