I Have to Go!

by Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

The ever-popular story of a little boy in the throes of toilet training.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Fiction, Humor, Kids, Family

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.

He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.

Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)

Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.

Reviews

[Shainlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one made me do a little dance and get really anxious, as it was about a little kid saying “I’ve gotta Go!” To the bathroom. It seemed they would be far away when it would happen. Isn’t that the way ?

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to have some young kids to read this too and see if they find this funny. I think it's supposed to be humorous, but from an adult perspective its really not funny.

We spend the day with this young kid potty training and his parents ask him to pee, he says no and 5 minutes later he is screaming to pee. This is totally how it is. The snowsuit with the 17 straps and taking 30 minutes to put on was funny. There is humor here and it's all those things that can be annoying in the moment.

I remember being a kid and my brother was this way. When he had to go, he had to go, but it came on suddenly. I had a bladder of steal at that time and I could go many hours without needing to pee. My brother would suit up for snow, go out with me and then have to go inside and I stayed outside and played in the snow.

The story is true to any parent, but I'm not sure how entertaining it might be for a kid. I would love to know how other children react to it. My suspicion is they would be bored, but how knows. Kids think their own things.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an Earlier Children's Reader that I read with my kids. I found this book so cute because one of my kids does this every time he gets into the car. My kids took turns reading pages with me, and they had no problems reading the words in this book. They also found this book to be funny and cute. I really think this book is great for small kids. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Annick Press) or author (Robert Munsch) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Chantel · Rating 2 out of 5]

As part of their ‘Early Reader’ re-release, some of the classic works of the beloved Robert Munsch have been adapted to include a guide that is placed to help a young reader explore sounds, consonants, character voices & plot comprehension.

As much as I love Munsch’s stories since having been introduced to them, this particular book was never very much a favourite of mine. I remember the distinct talks & ‘last calls’ we had growing up to ‘go’ before we all left the house. I can’t say there was ever a moment for me, that I took that lightly.

However, I recognize that this story will be wonderfully cheery & helpful to many young children who may not find it important to ‘go’ before being zipped up snug in their layered snowsuits or sat buckled upright in the car. For those children, this story might seem funny & relatable & quirky. I am glad to know that this book will & has been finding itself in the hands of those who need the reminder that being stuck needing to go to the bathroom when you’ve no opportunity to do so, is a rather unfortunate predicament to be in.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annick Press Ltd & Robert Munsch for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Andrew's parents both ask him if he needs to pee before they set out on a trip to his grandparents' home, the little boy waits until they have embarked to declare that he needs to go. Unable to wait for the nearest gas station, he must relieve himself behind a tree. Similarly, although both parents and grandparents ask if he needs to go, before zipping him into his snowsuit, he waits until he is outside in the snow to declare his need. What will happen when he goes to bed...?

An amusing look at an all-too-common childhood experience - namely, refusing to go to the bathroom when opportunity presents itself, and then having a need, when that opportunity has passed - I Have To Go! is one of many picture-books from Canadian author/illustrator team Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko. I appreciated the fact that wetting the bed is treated in a non-sentimental, matter-of-fact way here, one that strips it of any stigma or shame. The artwork is quite humorous - I think my favorite scene is the one in which Andrew relieves himself behind a tree, while his father stands in the foreground. Recommended to anyone looking for humorous children's stories about "going before you go" (one of my own mother's maxims) and/or wetting the bed.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potty training!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just okay for me. The premise of the exasperating kid who doesn't have to go until he really has to go is probably relatable for many parents. However, I wasn't quite sure what the resolution was supposed to be; it seemed abrupt and didn't make a lot of sense. If a kid is stubborn enough to pee in his own bed, it's going to take more than some inexplicable change of heart to give his parents some relief.

The pictures are cute, as they usually are with Martchenko's work. But the combination of the short length plus the lack of any real explanation for the ending made this one just so-so.

Quotable moment:

So they put on Andrew's snowsuit. It had five zippers, 10 buckles and 17 snaps. It took them half an hour to get the snowsuit on.

Andrew walked out into the back yard, threw one snowball and yelled, "I HAVE TO GO PEE."

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

We laughed ourselves silly with this one! We have this guy in our family.

(shhhhh. don't tell him.)

[L13_F Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny book about a little boy named Andrew who never wants to go pee when his parents asks him but always has to go minutes later after they leave the house and are in the car, after they take 30 minutes to bundle him up in his snowsuit, or after he is in bed every single night.

I listened to this on Tumblebooks and I did not like the narrator's voice. I didn't like the way he read the story, drawing out the question of "Andrew, do you have to go pee?" It was very aggrivating to me. One part I thought was hilarious however was when Andrew had to go to the bathroom and he was in his snowsuit. Tumblebooks shows his dad running across the screen with his arms stretched in front of him holding Andrew. It was pretty comical.

I think this book would be good for little kids just learning how to use the potty, preschoolers, kindergarteners or first graders because of the bathroom humor. They would be laughing I'm sure. Students would learn the importance of going before leaving the house.

[Silvia F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Review based on earth reader lever 3 version]

I must begin by being honest - I am a huge fan of Munsch! This version of the book is simple yet does not loose the overall feel of the story! I also really liked how at the end of the book it gives you suggestions and asks you questions to help make the book more interactive and get the reader thinking about the story. It’s nice to see a book that helps early readers be interested and engaged with what they are reading. I would recommend this book!

ARC received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Everleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

100/5 stars

It was funny, I like to call this book “I Have To Go Pee”

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a LOL-tastic book about a boy who emphatically Does Not Need To Go. He doesn't need to go before he puts on his snowsuit. (And then he does.) He doesn't need to go before they go on a long drive. (And then he does.) He doesn't need to go before bed. (And then he does.)

Wow, does this ever sound familiar! On one level, every parent in the world ought to be able to identify with the long-suffering grown-ups in this book. On another, the refrain "I HAVE TO GO PEE!" is going to make most children roll around laughing because, you know, it's PEE-PEE. OMG! You're reading a book about PEEING, and it's not a BABY book with POTTIES in it either!

It even has a sweet ending to it.

Unless you are the sort of family that doesn't like this sort of slightly-vulgar humor, I'd definitely advise that you check it out.

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like two and a half stars but I rounded down. It's cute and I'm sure almost everyone who has cared for any little ones at some point has dealt with something like this. But instead of taking Andrew's word for it that he doesn't have to go, wouldn't it be better to calmly build a routine over time? Make it so that before anybody goes out anywhere or goes to bed that they have to at least try and go pee (even if they don't feel like it right that second). Having a structured routine (as much as you can) seems more sensible to me than abiding by the little guys whims. Maybe it's just me but telling him "We're not going anywhere fun until you try and go" seems like a simple fix. Of course it won't work all of the time and accidents happen but encouraging kids to go to the bathroom regularly and not hold it forever seems like a better idea.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this was just plain weird. I suppose it was written in an effort to de-stigmitize bed-wetting but, despite prevailing opinion, I am not of the mindset that everything needs to be discussed. To be sure, the parent/child dialogue dance
"Are you sure you don't have to go?"
"Yes."
Five minutes later... "I HAVE to go!!"
will be all too familiar but, really, Mr. Munsch, as a children's author I would think you would be aware that mere mention of the words "pee" and "bathroom" are apt to throw any self-respecting young one into a fit of giggles.
Parents, handle the matter as ye see fit, don't bother with books meant to counsel or that horrible TV movie starring Michael Landon and the kid from James at Fifteen about bed-wetting.

[Carrie Simas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Munsch’s best books. I have read it to my kids so many times that I could recite it in my sleep. Hysterical for kids and parents alike.

[Connor Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

17 snaps and 10 buckles and 7 zippers on a snowsuit is ridiculous

[Mama Bibliosoph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Have to Go! is about a little boy named Andrew who is not yet the most reliable reporter about when he needs to pee.

When asked, "Andrew, do you have to go pee?" Andrew says, "No, no, no, no, no." Of course, at the most inconvenient moment, like when the family is driving in their car, Andrew will say: "I HAVE TO GO PEE!"

If you read this book aloud with a lot of energy and give the characters (there are perhaps too many) funny and distinct voices, this book is very funny. Munsch gives it a predictable structure and repeating lines, so it's easy for most kids to pick up. My son Harry loves to say the "No, no, no, no, no" part for Andrew.

This may work for some as a social story about the pitfalls of holding it (it did this for my son Harry), if that is something a child is struggling with. Towards the end, Andrew wets his bed, but it ends on a positive note when he finds a way to admit he has to go by asking his grandfather if he has to go pee.

Unlike some reviewers, I really appreciate the scene where Andrew pees behind a bush (on the car trip). This is true to life, and it's a good way to model flexibility. I also like that the book ends with an appropriately ambitious victory: Andrew didn't wet the bed again that night.

Some may be disappointed that I Have to Go never actually shows a bathroom. But I like that it's entirely focused on the skill of recognizing when you need to go, which doesn't usually occur in a bathroom.

One note of caution is that this is a somewhat wordy picture book. It may be too long for kids with shorter attention spans. My son Luke isn't the biggest fan.

---
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post about great picture books to read while potty training: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/potty-b...

[Maddi Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of this book is contemporary realistic fiction. The recommended reading level is primary, for second grade through third grade.

This book is hilarious! If you say you have never peed your pants, you're lying. Anyone who has ever put on snow pants, knows how annoying it is to have to take them all the way off just to go to the bathroom. This book makes children laugh so hard! I would incorporate it into my classroom just to give the students a brain break and to be silly. Robert Munsch actually does a read aloud for this, which is extremely funny.

I am a firm believer that reading should be something that is enjoyed, and that students should have fun while they are in school. I will definitely incorporate this into my classroom, and laugh with them through the entire story!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hit-and-miss series for me turns in a hit, although I liked it kind of despite myself. It's not exactly the subject matter I'd wish to be reading about, shall we say? Here, "having to go" is nothing to do with Lawrence Oates and his sacrifice, although it does involve sacrifice – it's the struggle to get both our adult routine and the needs of a young lad's bladder in sync. The minute you're on the freeway to his grandparents'? He needs to go. The second he's snapped and zipped and fully shrugged into his snowsuit? He's busting. Unlike other instances here, the final punchline is the crown, although will young readers in this audience understand all the ins and outs of why? Either way, these phonics tutorials are always classily done, as regards education, and for once the plot of the story involved is both humorous and true to life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’ve all had the experience of going on a road trip and asking the children in the car do you need to use the potty before we leave? “No, no, no, no, no.” and then five minutes later you hear, “I need to go!” This book is perfect for any child or adult who has or hasn’t experienced the frustration of bathroom breaks. When you have to go, you have to go, so go take a chance on this great book.

I look forward to using this book in story time in the fall/winter. ^_^

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every parent has been met with this situation...ask a child if he has to go potty and he says no. Get him in the car, and he has to go. Get him to bed, and he has to go.

I couldn't escape the feeling that if I read this to a child, it would only give him ideas on how to mess with a parent. Anyway...still cute.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one in French, as "J'ai envie." It's cute and funny and makes no bones about having to go "pipi". The comfort level in kids books about bodily functions is great. No more angst - and it might help those kids who have some physical issues that they might be teased about.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Andrew finds out about using the restroom before you do things. I am calling this an audio book as my 7 year old grandson read it to me. He laughed all the way through as his name is Andrew. He is now 11 but still gets a kick out of this book.

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This happens, all the time.

It seems like one of those things where you don't have to use the bathroom when they ask you, but then it's implanted into your brain and then all of a sudden you need to use the bathroom. At the worst times too.

Can relate.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.

[Jing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I think I'm done with Children's book for now...
(this is a good book, it's just I'm 26 not 6 anymore)

[Veeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny book about planning. A nice read for kids.

[Becky Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book on my kindle for a bedtime story for my four year daughter. We loved this book and author. The books are always funny and quick to read. This is now one of my daughter’s favourites.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book wasn't as good as I remembered it being for my childhood.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you have to go you have to go!