Books with title Could Be Worse

This is one of James Stevenson's cleverest and most outrageous books, even though it follows a familiar formula: Once again, grandchildren Mary Ann and Louie visit their unflappable "Grandpa" with a problem, and he tells them a tall tale to put things into perspective--albeit a very wacky perspective! The kids complain of a splinter, a lost kite, and a flat tire, and Grandpa responds each time with the seemingly boring "Could be worse..." The two grandchildren think that this nonresponsive reply is due to the boring life Grandpa leads. It's the perfect set-up for the signature Stevenson story, in which Grandpa matter-of-factly tells them about an incredible adventure he once had. (Often these stories involve his little brother Wainey, although he does not appear in this story). Grandpa, while eating breakfast with the kids, begins" "Last night, when I was asleep, a large bird pulled me out of bed and took me for a long ride [the reader turns the page] and dropped me in the mountains." In this same unflappable style, Grandpa weaves together a story that includes an abominable snowman, a scaly beast who crushes him, a blob of marmalade (!) who chases him, a gigantic ostrich who kicks him into the sea, an "enormous goldfish," a safe refuge in a large cup, a "gigantic lobster," and a sea turtle who rescues him. Finally, he discovers a giant newspaper upon which he flies back home. He asks the kids "Now what do you think of that?" On the last page, they hug him and shout: "COULD BE WORSE!" By the way, on the next page, young hands had written in pencil "it could." What's interesting here is how Stevenson's tone makes this all sound like it really happened, even though a dream is strongly implied

The tiny house had just one room for the farmer, his wife, their six children, and the grandparents. They quarreled and fought and got in each other's way. It couldn't be worse! On hearing of their difficult situation, a wise old fishmonger suggests the family take their goat inside the house with them. The farmer's wife is dumbfounded by this strange advice. But as the fishmonger is such a wise man, she follows his suggestion. The next day the farmer's wife tells the fishmonger that things couldn't be worse! He smiles and tells her to take their sheep into the house, then things will get better. As the woman and her husband push and pull the sheep into the house, they remind themselves that the fishmonger must be a wise man. Next the farmer's wife is advised to bring the pig into the tiny house, and soon they have been convinced to bring all the barnyard animals inside. Finally, the desperate woman returns to the fishmonger and tells him that things couldn't be worse! He smiles broadly and tells her to take all of the animals out of the house, then things will definitely get better. And of course they do. He was, after all, such a wise man! This adaptation of a classic folk tale unfolds with sprightly illustrations, richly colored and filled with hilarious details. Key Features Award-winning author/illustrator Hilarious story that will give children fits of giggles Detailed illustrations add to the humor and build on the absurd circumstances

Welcome to the Reading Rainbow Library. The Library is a series of books based on the PBS television series,"Reading Rainbow." In fact, each Library book contains a complete picture book recommended on "Reading Rainbow." "Could Be Worse!" was chosen because of the story and the pictures. We at "Reading Rainbow" like the book especially because Grandpa's yarns about how bad things used to be are hilarious. - This Library book has lots more than "Could Be Worse!" in it. As you turn the pages, you'll find the "Behind the Scenes" section, packed full of information and ideas inspired (or suggested) by the television show, the words and pictures of the author and illustrator, and some of out own thoughts, too. Plus, you'll also find several pages of games and projects to entertain yourself and your friends. The "Activities" section tells you how to make a "piggy" bank of your own, and even how to make a Reading Rainbow Flyer.