
Reach for this book when your preschooler has entered the inevitable potty talk phase and is using cheeky words to test boundaries or assert independence. Simon, a spunky little rabbit, responds to every single situation with the same two words: Poo Bum. Whether his mother offers breakfast or his father suggests a bath, Simon remains defiant with his favorite phrase until a surprising encounter with a hungry wolf forces him to change his tune. This story is a brilliant tool for parents navigating the transition from toddlerhood to the big kid years. It uses humor to validate the child's desire for linguistic power while gently modeling why certain words aren't always appropriate. It is a lighthearted, giggle-inducing choice for ages 2 to 5 that turns a common parenting frustration into a moment of shared laughter and connection.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book features a wolf eating the protagonist, but the approach is purely metaphorical and slapstick. There is no gore, and Simon is quickly and safely retrieved from the wolf's belly. The resolution is humorous and secular.
A 3 or 4-year-old who has just discovered that certain words get a big reaction from adults and is currently using that power to say no to everything.
Read this book with high energy and different voices. The wolf scene is very mild, but parents should be ready to emphasize the humor so it isn't scary. The parent has just heard their child shout a bathroom word in a public place or at a formal dinner, or is exhausted by a toddler's constant refusal to cooperate.
Younger children (2-3) love the repetition of the silly phrase. Older children (4-5) appreciate the irony of the wolf catching the 'virus' of the naughty words and the final twist ending.
Unlike many books that lecture children about manners, Stéphanie Blake uses pure absurdist humor to mirror the child's behavior back to them, making the lesson feel like a shared joke rather than a reprimand.
Simon is a defiant young rabbit who refuses to say anything other than his favorite phrase: Poo Bum. He says it to his parents at mealtime, bath time, and playtime. One day, a wolf comes along and eats Simon. When the wolf returns home, he finds himself involuntarily saying Poo Bum instead of his usual growls. A doctor (who happens to be Simon's father) arrives to help the wolf and rescues Simon, who finally decides to say something different, until the very last page.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.