Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse was a young boy with a passion for all the creatures of the world. Unfortunately, his mother was less enthusiastic, especially when he brought them into her house. The two go back and forth in this rhyming picture-book, as Livingstone continually attempts to bring his latest discoveries home, and his mother continually informs him that they are not allowed...

Although I would imagine that some children will enjoy having Not Inside This House! read aloud to them, especially if the storyteller uses an irate voice for Livingstone's mother, I found the text here a little awkward at times, and didn't particularly appreciate the humor. Tastes vary, of course, so others might find the tale of Livingstone and his continual pushing of the envelope quite amusing. The artwork also didn't particularly speak to me, as I found David Ercolini's style a little flat. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this book, but I finished it feeling pretty indifferent. ( )

Good for older preschoolers and school-age. Could have a heyday reading aloud the phrase "Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse!" with increasing aggravation.

Curiosity is an aspect that children learn from a very young age. With a name like Livingston Columbus Crous, one can only assume that the curiosity in this young boy is extreme. You are taken on an adventure throughout extreme things this boy brings inside his house after his mother doesn't allow him to bring a small bug in the house. I would read this book to a group of kindergarteners because I feel as though they will understand the concept of curiosity. ( )

Maybe a pet bug isn't such a bad idea after all. Great choice for read aloud. ( )

Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse brings home a bug, but his mother orders him to take the bug out of the house. Livingstone goes outside and, in rapid succession, attempts to bring in the house a mouse, a pig, a moose, an elephant, and a whale, all of which his mother refuses to allow inside. After the whale, his mother’s resolve to allow no animals in the house is weakened and she allows her son to bring a bug into the house.

A Pre-K class had no trouble understanding the story despite its very challenging vocabulary. They loved it. Hilarious and absurd illustrations add to the clever text.

“So from within the forest’s gloom,
he sneaked a MOOSE up to his room
and prayed this would not seal his doom…

‘Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse,
is that a moose inside this house?
I warned you twice. Then once again!
This time makes four! When will this end?’” ( )