Cover Image: If You Give a Man a Cookie

If You Give a Man a Cookie

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One of the funniest books I have ever read! This is a MUST have for ANY woman who has ever had a man in their life!!!! I laughed out loud through the entire book!!!!!!

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Many many moons ago, I worked at a local Barnes & Noble – which was the equivalent of putting a cat in charge of a patch of catnip. Between a 30% employee discount and the occasional availability of stripped books, my personal library redoubled. I had to touch basically every book in the place in any given week as we put shelves back together after a long day of customers tearing them apart – and the section in most need of attention, of course, was the picture book section. (It was not uncommon for the manager of the children's department to have to call in authorities, as parents would dump their kids off in front of the shelves and go see a movie at the theatre down the road. Of course, even theoretically supervised children did a lot of damage. But I digress.) It was while trying to restore order one evening that I came across [book:If You Give a Mouse a Cookie], and I was instantly completely charmed. I didn't buy myself a copy, though … I wonder why.

Now, almost thirty years after Mouse was first published, comes a new book from Laura Joffe Numeroff for all those folks who grew up with the mouse, the cookie, and the ramifications of giving one to the other, and who are now married. It's the same sense of humor, only now aimed squarely at the grown-ups: "If you give a man a cookie, he'll ask for some milk to go with it … God forbid he should get it himself!"

I'm completely in love with the vivid, adorable illustrations. The cookie-getting man reminds me of a much rounder Greg Proops, shown as exasperating and ridiculous without making him a complete buffoon. And it pays to pay attention to the dog, who appears in every picture with his master. (The man can't be as big a jerk as all that, introduced as he is playing with the dog. But he is a twit.) My only regret, and it's on me and not the book, is that for some reason it felt like this would be one of those picture books where close examination of the illustrations would turn up little visual puns or gags or other kinds of hidden surprises. It doesn't – except for the fact that the dog is the subject of every "photo" shown in the house, framed or hung on the fridge.But that's a quibble. If you give a woman adorable, she'll want puzzles too.

I love that this was targeted at adults without resorting to vulgarity or non-G-rated language (except for a non-equine use of "ass"). A child, attracted by the illustrations, could absolutely read it safely – but it would whoosh over his head.

I wonder if there will be a follow-up, like [book:If You Give a Moose a Muffin]. Because if you give a woman a book she likes, she'll ask for another one. (God forbid she should write one herself.)

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“If you give a man a cookie” tells in very few pages the story of every girl’s relationship with a man. It portrays in a cute way the not so cute ways men think and act. I kept shooting glances at my blissfully ignorant husband while reading it, because, well, you know, he is not an exception….The illustrations are beautiful, making the book even funnier.
It may seem a little “mean” to some, but, hey, don’t we all complaint about exactly these things when it’s just us, girls? And after all, it is a humor book and should not be taken too seriously.
Definitely a book I would give as a present to all my married or in a relationship friends, so I hope it finds a greek publisher.

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Sorry, unable to review. For the life of me, this book would not open on any of my standard readers on several different devices.

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If this was a "parody" called IF YOU GIVE A WOMAN A COOKIE, and it was written by a man, the author would likely be strung up from the nearest tree. #badform

That's all I'm sayin'.

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I am a huge fan of Laura Numeroff's children's books, so I decided to check out this adult parody out of curiosity. The book hits on some pretty typical stereotypes of marriage, but I wasn't really amused or entertained. It was a little too negative for me - someone who prefers to appreciate the happy aspects of love and marriage. It seemed more appropriate for middle-aged or older couples too. So maybe my attitude toward the book has something to do with my younger age as well. This version just can't compare to the cute stories and Felicia Bond illustrations of the originals that I know and love.

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I wasn't able to open the protected PDF on any of the software options available. This is the first time this has happened to me. I am unable to review the book.

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Lots of fun this time for parents who grew up reading "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" and "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" to their children, when they were young. This time it's Dad, or rather the husband who is causing all the trouble by leaving towels on the ground, putting back empty milk cartons in the fridge and whining to his wife. If you read the originals, these will give you a chuckle of memory and recognition. Bravo to the whimsical artwork, though not in the same style as the original books, but that carry the same humor and spirit. This would make a very cute gift to a parent who remembers the original.

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This book is hilarious. I could read it over and over. I love this author and this book goes along the lines of her other books.

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I love that the author chose to do a parody of her own successful book series. Cute, but the book itself played into too many stereotypes to be a book I would actually purchase.

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I, like probably every mother in my generation, have memorized If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and probably several others in the series. At all points, the next step seems logical and provides humor. I looked forward to that same approach here. Sadly, that wasn't the case. It felt very passive aggressive and mean. At several points I wanted to know why the wife just didn't tell the husband to get/do it himself. The story sounds like a good idea but somehow was a miss in execution.

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For all that have read and loved watching children respond to Laura Numeroff's circular logic storytelling, now here is a picture book that adults will beg for during read aloud time. Hilarious and spot on perfection. This will make a perfect gift 365 days of the year!

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I really wanted to love this book. Overall, the book was just ok. I was impressed that the author the original If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was writing a parody of her own book. From the description it sounded like it was going to be more than it was. The book did not go as far as the books I remember from Numeroff. I might be remembering the books as longer than they were as I haven't read them in a decent amount of time, but this felt too quick.

The description of the book led me to believe it was going to be a book that Women and Women's First would  have had on hand. I didn't expect it to go far enough to be like Hothead, but I wanted something more. I don't have too much to really say, I guess my expectations were set too high for this book. The book itself isn't bad, but I just didn't fall in love. 

I did like that the art made the story goofier than the words could have implied otherwise.

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I loved these books as a child so it was fun to read one that was made for someone a bit more grown up. It was just as funny as the ones that I read when I was a kid. If you are looking for a quick humorous read that will make you nostalgic then definitely pick up this book.

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I love a good parody, especially about things I grew up with. What makes If You Give A Man A Cookie so special is that Laura Joffee Numeroff is parodying herself! she is having fun with her own work and that fun is infectious!
In this parody, Laura asks what would happen if you gave a man a cookie? Hilarity and truth ensue! So many of the events in the book are my father, my brother and my coworkers. have done. Brian Ajhar's are illustrations are perfectly whimsical and add so much to the experience.
I recommend this gift to anyone who need a bedtime story for their "man child." lol

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Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of If You Give a Man a Cookie. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Author Laura Joffe Numeroff has created a parody of her popular children's book that started a whole franchise. If You Give a Man a Cookie is a charming look at a wife who is exasperated with her husband, especially when he takes for granted the work she does.

I am not sure what audience would be the best for this book, but I liked the story, the illustrations, and the message. The drawings have a more mature feeling than the origin story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", but there is no mistaking that this book is meant to remind readers of that famous children's story. I can see a woman buying this book for her best friend, as a way to laugh about or poke fun at certain situations. If You Give a Man a Cookie was written to be a humorous look at relationships and the author has definitely accomplished her goal.

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This awesome parody of one of Numeroff's best selling children's picture books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, deserves all the stars! The concept is just the same as it is in each of her other "If You Give" series books; however, this picture book is not geared towards children at all but rather towards adults. That's not saying it has questionable content, it does not! It merely indicates topically it's meant to be enjoyed by adults, most likely couples. Like in her classic series, the story progresses after the main character is initially offered some kind of treat- in this case the wife offers her husband a cookie. Of course, that leads to him to wanting something else, which yet again inspires him to request something different still, and on and on until eventually the story and requests go full circle.

Those with young children or who work with young children will likely enjoy this book most of all simply because they are probably already familiar with Numeroff's style. It's cute and comical with classically funny illustrations that again parallel the original books this parody is based on.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the early review copy and opportunity.

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In the long tradition of “For want of a nail” stories, this one is just what the title says, all the repercussions of what a man will want if you give him a cookie. It’s full of clichés (none of which fit me, thankfully), considering not every man has a mustache or likes fishing.
From a guy’s perspective, I have to ask why she’s wearing heels when making cookies and generally just walking around the house. I’m trying not to be mean-spirited here, but I can’t help but think that’s exactly where this story’s coming from, which was likely done as a catharsis for the author.
I think the only opinion that matters here is her husband; hope he laughed, because I didn’t find much funny here.
2.5 pushed up to 3/5

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Hilarious! I wish it had been fleshed out a bit more but a really cute parody of the originals.

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Funny take a a beloved children's book. A very fun read

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