Oliver's Must-Do List Book

Together Oliver and his mother play through their "to do" list.

Debbie West - Children's Literature

Oliver is bored today. He wants someone to play with. Only his mother is around (for reasons unknown to the reader). When he asks his mother to play, she says she has chores to do. All of her chores are listed on her refrigerator. During the day he tries to entertain himself, but playing alone is no fun. Every time Oliver asks his mom to play with him, he receives the same answer—"I need to get some things done first." Finally, at the end of the day, his mother tucks him into bed and he whispers, "now?" She tells him no, maybe tomorrow. As his mother leaves his bedroom, Oliver gets an idea. He gets up early the next morning and makes his own "must-do" list. He takes his list downstairs and tapes it over his mother's list. When Oliver's mother comes downstairs, she sees his list, stops, and taps her foot. As Oliver waits in trepidation, he finally hears these words: "knock, knock." The fun begins as his mother plays with him all day, performing each task Oliver has written on his list. Illustrations show a boy and mother rhinoceros with a small terrier dog who appears in each scene with them. The warm, human features of these animals will appeal to any youngster. 2005, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 1 to 3.