That Is NOT a Good Idea!
Goose outsmarts fox in funny, perilous story with a twist.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that That Is NOT a Good Idea! is another deliciously funny picture book from three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems, author of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems. Here he uses a silent-movie motif, with dialogue presented on black title cards mid-scene to show the goose inching toward peril in a soup pot. With every step closer, a chorus of concerned goslings shouts warnings of "That is NOT a good idea!" -- increasingly adding "really" multiple times before "NOT" as the situation gets more desperate. In a comic twist, the goose stuffs the wolf in the pot, and readers learn that the goslings were actually trying to warn him all along. A fun, interactive read aloud.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
A wolf meets a plump goose on the street and asks her to take a stroll in the deep dark woods. \"That is NOT a good idea!\" says one of the four baby geese observing the scene. But the goose goes anyway, and when the fox asks her to go to his kitchen and she agrees, one of the goslings says, \"That is really really NOT a good idea!\" The goslings' warnings get more extreme with each step closer to the soup pot, until the goose finally outsmarts the wolf.
Is It Any Good?
THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA! is another fresh, funny crowd-pleaser from prolific author-illustrator Mo Willems. Kids will join the chorus of goslings repeatedly giving ever more desperate warnings, and parents will admire the silent-movie motif, with the dialogue appearing on black title cards. There's a cute twist at the end, too, when readers learn that the little geese were actually warning the wolf, not the goose.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about twists in stories. What's fun about an author trying to fool you?
Notice how expressive the eyes are in That Is NOT a Good Idea! You can tell if a character is happy, scared, or surprised just by their eyes. What other ways does Mo Willems show changes in feelings?
Check out a silent movie to see what it's like. You might start with Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times.
Book Details
- Author: Mo Willems
- Illustrator: Mo Willems
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Horses and Farm Animals, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: April 23, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: March 11, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
-
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems
Silly dino twist on Goldilocks tale is roaring good fun.
-
Dragons Love Tacos
Taco party has fiery consequences in funny dragon tale.
-
If You Give a Dog a Donut
Latest in fun series features adorable if demanding pooch.
For kids who love picture books and funny books
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate