I Always, Always Get My Way. Thad Krasnesky. Illustrated by David Parkins. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press, 2009. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-097-997-464-9. Subject Heading: Stories in rhyme. Parent and Child - Fiction . Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Ellen Heaney. **1/2 /4

Author Krasnesky has here infused a winsome toddler with the devious mind and wild actions of a mischievous 10-year-old. Emily goes from an accident to a tantrum to a crisis in an attention-getting behaviour.

     As one spread describes:

To make my dollhouse big enough I borrowed from my sister’s stuff: some model wood and Gooey Glue. I borrowed her new skateboard too.

I sure was having lots of fun but when my house was almost done. my sister barged in through the door and grabbed her stuff right off MY floor.

      It takes quite a while and many incidents of bad behaviour, such as burying some valuables in the back yard while playing pirate, and letting the bathtub overflow, for the parents in this tale to take action and, right at the end of the book, enforce some discipline.

      Dad looked at Mom.
Mom looked at Dad.
And that’s when things got really bad.
Mom pointed to the stairs and said,
“That’s it, young lady!
GO TO BED!”

      I sweetly answered,
“Don’t blame me. Did you forget?
I’m only three!” When
I say Mom begin to fume
I trudged, forlorn, up to my room.
I sadly closed by bedroom door.
I may be here until I’m four.