It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel

You might think from the description that this is going to preachy or saccharine. It's not. It's very funny, and I definitely recommend it to every family with a kindergartner or 4-5 year old child. Even girl child - you should see some of the hi-jinks the boy's classmates get into, both the boys and the girls. I especially laughed at the page spread about the glory of dirt, and the recurrent mini-episodes showing how good a big brother our hero is. The book never does exactly explain 'my control panel' in so many words - maybe you want to ask your child what that subtitle means.

This picture book is about being 5 years old - no longer a baby but still sometimes (perhaps frequently) struggling with acting the right way. In particular, the narrator laments about the difficulty of keeping cool in tough situations, like when someone is hogging a toy or cuts in line. Hey, even for us adults, things like this can get us upset, but most of us have learned to react in ways that don't involve hitting or biting.

This book does show a lot of positives as well as the negatives of being five -- like increased independence and knowledge about the world. For myself, the pictures are bit too cartoonish and overwhelming in their free form and extraneous details, but this series seems to be a hit with young kids. My niece, who is show more herself 5, absolutely loves this book and always wants me to read it to her over and over again. Other children I've read this book with also enjoyed it. show less

think what's best about It's Hard to Be Five is that it gets right to the heart of what it is like to be five in a way that isn't condescending or patronizing...it's written in language that is engaging and that kids can relate to easily. The pictures are colorful and zany...very high energy, in all of her books, I think the art really goes a long way toward bringing the message to life for the readers (or listeners, as the case may be as they make excellent read aloud material). At an age where they want to be more "grown up" and independent, yet they still have trouble choosing big-boy (or girl) behavior over the instinctual "little kid" gut reactions, this book is a welcome way to let kids know that what they are feeling is normal show more while encouraging them to be the big-girl (or boy) that they are!

Overall, I give it five stars, The art work and text work seamlessly creating a book that is fun to read and a feast for the eyes. My kids just love poring over the pictures after we read these...there's so much to absorb that provides an additional layer of fun and enjoyment above and beyond the story!! I'd recommend It's Had To Be Five, it is a simply a fun way to explore the feelings many children experience as they become big boys and girls and are expected to act that way but they still FEEL like reacting in highly emotional and instinctual ways. show less

This book is excellent for five-year-olds. This book is about a typical 5-year-old who sometimes struggles as he tries to figures out what the right thing to do is. Not only does it talk about hard decisions kids have to make but also the new found freedoms one feels as they grow up. This book has very bright and creative illustrations to help convey the message this five year is trying to tell.

Comprehensive Strategy: This picture book is great for a Think-A-Loud and then the class can go back to their individual seats and draw a picture about something they personally struggle with. They can even take examples from the book.

This would be a great book to read on the first day of school in a Kindergarten classroom. Starting Kindergarten can be nerve racking and confusing. Children are not sure how to act, what is expected of them, and what they are going to learn. Self control is an issue that many children struggle with, even years beyond Kindergarten and for some people, into adulthood. I think this book is great for readers of all ages because it is a lesson that is valuable to anyone who reads it. I would happily use this book in my classroom and add it to my library. I also really enjoyed the illustrations, as they were colorful and engaging fro readers.

It sure is hard to be five. This story is told through the eyes of a five year old who just wants to stay little forever. He is learning not to hit and having to wait his turn and it’s killing him to do so. Jamie Lee Curtis does an amazing job with her encouraging text and playful illustration that make the struggles of self-control a little easier for all. I really enjoyed how the text also rhymed at times. I thought it made the story unique.

'It's hard to be five. Just yelled at my brother. My mind says do one thing. My mouth says another.' Jaime Lee Curtis describes the many frustrations of a 5 yr old through cartoon style illustrations. They can not sit still. They love to get dirty. They grow out of their clothes. But eventually Kindegarten gets them to all play along.
I got this book for my 5 year old son. When we read it, he looked at me as though...'DUH!!!! I could of told you this!!' He agreed with all the complaints and beauty of being his age. It was a great moment to be able to read this book with him, and discuss MORE frustrations. Do I have enough to probably write another book?!?!?!?!
In the classroom, I would ask children for a writing assignment to jot down show more some things that they think is hard for them at their age, discussing the issues in depth. Also, Have the children draw pictures that reflect their emotions and views of that time of age that was diffeicult for them. Share. Share. Share. show less