Mortimer

When Mortimer's mother puts him to bed, telling him to be quiet, the little boy nods his head, but doesn't comply, singing his fun (and loud!) little ditty. His father, siblings, and two policemen also try to get him to be quiet, all to no avail. It is only when everyone is downstairs, arguing with one another, and therefore unable to pay attention to the noisemaker upstairs, that Mortimer finally falls asleep...

Author Robert Munsch and illustrator Michael Martchenko have collaborated on numerous picture-books, many of them quite humorous (my favorite is The Paper Bag Princess!), and Mortimer is no exception. Oddly enough, given the fact that I wasn't amused by the bratty child in this team's Thomas' Snowsuit, I found Mortimer quite show more entertaining. Perhaps because the ending here, in which the eponymous hero's annoying behavior ceases when the other characters stop paying attention to him, doesn't enable or validate said behavior? Whatever the case may be, I found this one far more entertaining than the story about Thomas, and finished the book with a chuckle. Recommended to anyone looking for bedtimes books featuring noisy children who don't want to be quiet, or go to sleep. show less

All Mortimer's parents want is for him to go to sleep - quietly. All Mortimer wants to do is SING!

This book is beautifully illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and Robert Munsch's words almost dance right off the page. The writing thumps up and down the stairs with Mortimer's parents, clangs and bangs with his singing. It is amusing for parents and children alike; I was definitely a Mortimer as a child.

Cute story and illustrations, lots of repetition amid building chaos, and a satisfying ending. I liked how the thumps on the page ascend as people go upstairs and descend as they go down.

Mortimer must be a daily chatterbox, because all his mom says when she puts him to bed (throws him in bed in the book, I don't like that part so I edit it to be a little less antagonistic) is BE QUIET.

Well, I know little ones, and you know little ones, and we all know little ones, and Mortimer says yes but immediately does what he shouldn't. He sings. Loudly. He's gonna make his noise all day long.

So his whole family, and ultimately the cops troop up to tell him to be quiet, and while they fight over whose responsibility it is (and stop paying him attention for singing), he falls asleep.

The ending is a bit predictable, isn't it? But for a bedtime book, as I think this is, that sort of ending is just what you need. Nice and predictable show more and quick. show less

In comparison to the others in [b:The Munschworks Grand Treasury|285755|The Munschworks Grand Treasury|Robert Munsch|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1390869389l/285755._SX50_.jpg|277243], this is weaker and has similar themes. Munsch's main theme overall is showing children who triumph... usually by being hilariously mischievous. Mortimer triumphs, but is downright naughty. I only recommend this if you're a completist or it's one of the few by the author that you can find.

Young Mortimer just won't be quiet at bedtime. Everyone in the family takes a turn marching up the stairs to yell at him to "Be Quiet!" but he just keeps on singing "Bang, Bang, Rattle and Clang" at the top of his lungs. Will he ever settle down for bed?

This is lots of fun, especially if you can sing his song really loudly! The kids join in and we make a huge racket!

This book is a must have for every Early Childhood Educator out there. It is a all time favourite with the kindergarten crowd. On rainy days and Fridays I would bring this book out along with a bucket full of instruments and the children would scream with excitement in anticipation of what was coming next. Every child needs permission to make some noise and this book gives kids permission to just that. Thank you Mr Munsch for bringing so much joy to circle time in my class.

“Clang Clang Rattle Bing Bang, Gonna make my noise all day!”