It's Not My Fault!

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The New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg takes a lighthearted approach to how to respond to the all-too-common claim "It's not my fault!"

Emotional literacy is embedded in this funny cautionary tale:

Why is your homework so messy?
It's not my fault! I blame my pen.
Why can't I read these test answers?
I blame my pen.
Why is your assignment so late?
Um...I blame my pen?


A boy steadfastly refuses to take responsibility for any of his mistakes. He just blames everything on his pen, his backpack, his comb, his pillow — whatever happens to be at hand. For a while, this approach works at home and at school. He's positively convinced he has it all figured out until...all the inanimate objects rise up and revolt. What can he do when a talking pen and talking backpack decide to rebel?

The #1 New York Times bestselling picture-book author Jory John encourages kids to accept responsibility while keeping the laughs coming in this fun-filled tale.

"John's story is sure to appeal to those grownups who are fed up with ridiculous excuses. In Chapman's simple, bright, colorful illustrations, full-bleed spreads alternate with framed single pages and occasional dynamic panels showing a gap-toothed redheaded protagonist and grimacing, angry objects. The humor in both art and text makes this an appealing picture book that might even cause some self-reflection and growth in its readers." Eric Carpenter, The Horn Book

Jory John is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books for both children and adults. He is the author of Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems (both illustrated by Lane Smith), The Bad Seed and The Good Egg (both illustrated by Pete Oswald), and Quit Calling Me a Monster! and I Will Chomp You! (both illustrated by Bob Shea), among many other books. Jory is a two-time E. B. White Read Aloud Honor recipient and has won numerous state book awards for his writing. He lives in Oregon. You can find him at joryjohn.com and follow him on Twitter at @IamJoryJohn.

Jared Chapman was born in Louisiana; grew up in Texas; went to college in Georgia; lived in Austin, Texas; and now lives with his family in the piney woods of northeast Texas. He is best known as the author-illustrator of the popular books Vegetables in Underwear and Fruits in Suits.