Story Time with Sara: I Didn’t Mean To by Gina Mayer

I Didn’t Mean To
written by Gina Mayer
published by Reader’s Digest Young Families, 1995

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book: This one really grew on me. I have always been a big fan of Mayer’s Little Critter books, but this one didn’t hit the spot for me right away. As we read about the different things Little Critter got in trouble for that he didn’t mean to do, I was reminded of all the times my child did all of these things. It isn’t a very fun thing to be reminded of . . . I don’t need any help remembering all the shenanigans my preschooler manages to get himself into every day. As a matter of fact, I spend a great deal of my time trying to forget them!

By the time we got to the end of the book and read how Little Critter always means to hug his Mom because he loves her, my three-year-old flung his arms around me and yelled, “I mean hugs too, Mom!” And that was that. I can’t not like a book that ends in a hug for me!

After this I took a new perspective on the book. I use it to remind me that my little hell raiser isn’t trying to drive me crazy, he’s just trying to: learn, explore, create . . . be a KID, just like Little Critter! I Didn’t Mean To gave me a window into my child’s perspective and helped me take a step back and remember that he didn’t mean to splash spaghetti sauce all over the bathroom wall. He was just trying to wash his hands all by himself.

Would I recommend it: I sure would. I like Little Critter (especially the sarcastic humor that goes over my kid’s head) and it’s a quick read, so even if you don’t enjoy it that much its over before you know it!