Go and Get with Rex
Written by David LaRochelle
Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Candlewick, May 7, 2024
Picture Book, 48 pages
Ages 3–8
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-53622-206-7
Awards & Good Things
- A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
- Target Book Club Pick
- 2025 Redbud Read-Aloud Award Nominee
- A Good Housekeeping 2024 Best Kids’ Book Awards Winner
Book Description
Jack, Jill, and Rex are excited to play a game of Go and Get! The rules are simple: on the count of three, each player must goand get something that begins with a certain letter. While Jack’s and Jill’s picks always fit the bill (What starts with F? Frog! Fish!), Rex keeps getting it wrong (a duck?)—or does he? A laugh-out-loud primer on subverting expectations that will have readers clamoring to play Go and Get themselves—and competing to see who can come up with the most creative answers.
Look Inside
Reviews
“Charming artwork shows the details of these alliterative gems, but Rex steals every scene. Readers will be cheering Rex to victory. This book will no doubt launch thousands of games of “Go and Get.” LaRochelle and Wohnoutka are masters at what they do and this title is one no picture book collection should be without. VERDICT A rollicking book for story hours or independent reading, this title is fun to share and a must for collections aimed at emerging readers.”
-School Library Journal (starred review)
“From the creators of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning See the Cat, here’s another genuinely funny book. LaRochelle is very effective at creating comical situations, and his text reads aloud beautifully. In Wohnoutka’s expressive gouache illustrations, which include speech balloons, Rex’s puppy-dog eyes and body language make the story’s outcome seem inevitable, but surely kids wouldn’t have it end any other way. Well attuned to its audience of prereaders and beginning readers, this book is zany, fun, and downright irresistible.”
-Booklist (starred review)
“From the Geisel Award–winning team comes another surprising, amusing, and educational treat for beginning readers. Expert pacing enhances the humor. Expressive cartoons highlight the deadpan moment before the narrator (and readers) catch on to Rex’s unexpected wins. Quirky, unexpected fun.”
-Kirkus
“A perfect book for kids who know the alphabet but aren’t yet strong readers — or for any kid who likes to laugh. With comical illustrations and a brief, easy-to-read text, this book is both funny and subversively educational.”
-Star Tribune
“The unflagging energy and creative play on offer should soon prompt readers to transfer the game from picture book to real life.”
-Publishers Weekly
“No better way to learn words beginning with letters than laughing through it! Rex the dog participates in a game called “Go and Get” and – seemingly – brings back items that don’t match the letter. Except that he actually does. Vibrant art & hilarious text couple will make this book a popular read aloud. And the game would be SO SO fun to recreate with our youngest learners!”
-Edelweiss
Downloadable Activity Sheets
* Rex creative drawing activity
* Rex Alphabet Game: Page 1, Page 2
* PDF of all three pages
