It Wasn't My Fault

by Helen Lester

Book Overview

Lester and artist Munsinger . . . team up again for another rib-tickling, off-the-wall tale. Booklist Murdley Gurdson is a spectacularly accident-prone boy. He falls into wastebaskets He drops only the most valuable vases. Worse yet: Whatever happened, it was usually his fault. One day, as Murdley is taking a walk, a bird lays an egg above him and it splats on his head. How could that really be Murdley s fault? Turns out, it sort of is. Munsinger...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0544003233
• ISBN13: 9780544003231
• Release Date: July 2013
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 28 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.2" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

A Funny Story about Blameshifting and Unintended Consequences

Murdley Gurdson is a clumsy, absentminded boy whose frequent misfortunes are usually his own fault. One day he is walking along in one shoe (having lost the other) when a bird above him lays an egg which breaks on his head. He confronts the bird, who shifts responsibility for the accident to an aardvark, which had screamed, scaring her into laying the egg. The aardvark blames a pygmy hippo who stepped on his tail provoking the scream; and the hippo gives another reason which points to Murdley Gurdson's lost shoe as the ultimate culprit. In the end, Murdley tearfully acknowledges that the accident was his own fault, and his new friends go home with him to comfort him with a scrambled-egg meal. The deliciousness of this story comes from its kid-level humor. The chain-reaction of blameshifting is hilarious in its absurdity, and the slapstick jokes will be savored. Murdley's unfortunate experiences invite small children (who know all about clumsiness, blameshifting, and unintended consequences) to identify with him, and his willingness to admit his own fault in the end demonstrates a likable sense of personal responsibility.

Popular book in our house

Bought this for 6-yr old son who has a tendancy to quickly blame others when things go wrong. Book led to a discussion on how things are not always how they seem at first glance, how it's worth asking questions and getting other point of views, and how in the end who cares whose fault it is, let's all get along and move on. Lots of good 'lessons' under the guise of a humorous and fun book. Most importantly, this is a book that both our kids really like and often request.

Excellent explanation of causation and connectivity

This book is ajshort and readable story that starts with new too big shoes, one of which goes awry. The story is very readable and comfortable, language is easy for young kids, the story develops a pattern that is recognizable and funny. This book teaches the concepts of causation, that is, one thing leads to another, and connectivity between events. At the end, blameworthiness is discarded with a show of empathy for the main character and a comforting activity. Excellent book.

This book is full of smiles

I know a 5 year old boy who ask to read this story all the time. It's a funny story about a chain of events caused by a little boy ,that affect alot of animals but in the end they all forgive Murdley Gurdson and help him to feel better about making a mistake. The pictures are cute, the story interesting and just the right length to be fun. Sure to put a smile on the face of adults and childern alike.

A great book for first graders!

I am a first grade teacher. This year, I decided to implement book study groups in my classroom. I used second graders as readers and facilitators. My first graders got to choose the books that were then read to them. This book was a favorite. From the dialogue to the illustrations, there was plenty for my students to smile at and discuss. A great book choice.