Review - Clayton Parker Really Really REALLY Has to Pee

Clayton Parker Really Really REALLY Has to Pee
by Cinco Paul
illustrated by Gladys Jose
Date: 2021
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

From the screenwriter behind family favorites like Despicable Me and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax comes a hilarious, rhyming picture book romp about knowing when to GO

Clayton Parker can’t wait for his field trip to the zoo. When his teacher encourages the class to go before they go . . . Clayton rushes onto the bus and doesn’t give it a second thought.

Little does he know . . . Clayton Parker really really REALLY has to pee. He discovers this as soon as he gets to the zoo. And he panics! Clayton needs a bathroom, and he needs one now! The first one he finds is broken. The next one isn’t much of a bathroom at all. What will Clayton do?

A cautionary tale for the procrastinator in us all, this hilarious picture book romp will have readers vowing alongside Clayton Parker: “Before I go out anywhere, I’ll always try to pee.”

(synopsis from Goodreads)

When a children's book makes me snort or laugh out loud, I can't help but like it... even if it is silly.

This is the story of Clayton Parker, who thinks (as many kids do) that he doesn't need to pee before he gets on the bus. But, by the time his class arrives at the zoo, Clayton is busting, and he needs to find a bathroom fast, lest he end up like that kid who peed his pants in front of the whole school. Hijinks ensue. Will Clayton make it to the bathroom in time? And, more importantly, will he have learned his lesson?

Some parts of this are rather silly and unrealistic, but they're juxtaposed by the very real struggle with the human bladder. Sometimes you just gotta go, and no amount of planning or prevention can mitigate that. The whole thing is rendered in verse with nearly impeccable metre (which is so rare in children's books that I have to give props for that) and illustrated with charm.

A fun book for kids (and their parents, who are sure to nod their heads and roll their eyes when they see the mess Clayton gets himself into).

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.14 out of 5