- Picture Books
- Ages 5–8
- Comedy
I Can Explain
A laugh-out-loud picture book from Shinsuke Yoshitake in which a child offers a skeptical parent gloriously elaborate, wildly imaginative excuses for every bad habit, from nose-picking to jumping on the bed.
- Best for5–8
- FormatPicture
- Length40 pp
- Read aloud~8 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Irreverent
- Whimsical
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
When a parent gently asks the child to be a little more mindful of good manners, the child has plenty to say. It's all perfectly reasonable, you see. Nose-picking? That's pressing a special nasal button that releases cheerful beams to put everyone in a good mood. Nail-biting? It produces an inaudible sound that keeps crows away from the bins. Jumping on the bed is essential training for when roads turn into trampolines, and dancing around after a bath is preparation for clothes-stealing aliens invading school. With his trademark simple cartoons and deadpan wit, internationally acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake spins a child's ordinary bad habits into a cascade of brilliantly logical, absurd explanations, before landing a sly observation that grown-ups do plenty of these things too. It's a joy to read aloud, sparks conversation about why we behave the way we do, and celebrates the runaway inventiveness of a child's imagination. Perfect for 5-8-year-olds and the grown-ups who will recognise every single habit.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A best fit for 5-8-year-olds, wonderful read aloud from about 4 and easily enjoyed alone by 6-8. The deadpan humour and knowing dig at adults give it strong crossover appeal for the grown-up reading it.
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- Best fit · 5–8
- Read aloud · 4–8
- Independent · 6–8
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Funny
- Read aloud
- Imaginative
- Quirky
- Shared giggles
Avoid if
- Wants gentle bedtime only
- Dislikes absurd humour
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in art and creativity
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Children delight in the runaway logic, that nose-picking beams good moods and jumping on the bed is trampoline training, and love that the child gets the last word by pointing out grown-ups do it too. Each spread is a fresh, funny surprise.
- Trickery and cleverness
- Breaking the rules safely
- Revenge on adults
Why parents love it
Shinsuke Yoshitake's wit works on two levels: children roar at the absurd excuses while adults enjoy the sly turn where their own habits get called out. Simple, endlessly rereadable and a brilliant conversation-starter about why we do what we do.
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
- Quick to read
- Great writing
About the author & illustrator
Shinsuke Yoshitake.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
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