No Rules for Michael Book

While studying the Ten Commandments Michael says he would rather there were no rules, but when his teacher gives him a day without rules, Michael learns an important lesson.

Judy Chernak - Children's Literature

Every child will identify with pre-schooler Michael's complaint: "School would be the best place if we didn't have any rules." Surprisingly, his teacher suggests that they will try out his scenario the very next day, and he could then decide if that was a good thing. It will come as no surprise, though, that no rules does not work very well, for Michael or anyone else. Not sharing means not being shared with; not picking up toys means a room too cluttered to have space for play; not having to respect each other means having no one listen to your show and tell. Michael rethinks his suggestion and, of course, decides that rules are indeed good to have. Although predictable, the story is suited for the very young. The pictures are engaging pastels of impossibly good, sweet children who get only a little bit out of line, somewhat unrealistic for a no-hold-barred no-rules situation, but they will be comforting to the very young. 2004, Lerner, Ages 3 to 6.