This or That

With few or no competing picture books about decision—making skills, this book will find wide classroom use.In a surprise ending, his parents take him back to the ice cream store: "His mom licked her cone. Then she smiled and told Alexander she was having a baby. 'Are you excited for a baby brother or sister?' his dad asked. Alexander decided right away. 'Brother,' he said firmly. But Alexander found out that sometimes you get what you get, and that can be OK too."After that, Alexander "considered what he knew, then picked. Not as deliberate as his mother, not as quick as his father, but somewhere in between. And when his decisions were mistakes, the next time he made a different choice."Alexander's breakthrough comes with ice cream, and kids can identify with that too!: Tired of choosing, he orders a sundae for this birthday with every kind of ice cream, syrup, and topping, only to realize that chocolate swirl is all he wants.A story kids will identify with: When Alexander can't decide on a Halloween costume, he winds up as a pumpkin; when he can't decide what to wear, he misses the bus; when he can't decide what game to play, he misses recess; when he can't decide what school lunch to eat, he winds up with tuna casserole.A funny, instructive story about making decisions: Alexander's dad is an umpire and makes decisions quickly. His mom is a judge and makes decisions deliberately. But Alexander has trouble making any choice at all.