No Jumping on the Bed
By Tedd Arnold
The Story
A boy named Walter ignores his father's warning and keeps bouncing on his bed until it crashes through the floor, sending him crashing down through the apartments below.
Why It's Special
For the kid who tests every single rule just to see what happens next, this is the ultimate told-you-so tale — with a floor-busting twist.
- Big idea: Warnings from grown-ups exist for a reason, even when the bouncing feels too good to stop.
- Vibes: Bouncy, comic, and gleefully over-the-top, with a wink at every parent who's said the exact same warning.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy silly stories with big consequences
- like to jump and bounce with excess energy
- are working on listening to bedtime rules
- respond well to a story that turns a familiar warning into an adventure
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What warning did Walter's father give him before bed?
- Real-life connection: Has a grown-up ever warned you about something and you found out why later?
- Imagination: What do you think it would feel like to crash through the floor like Walter did?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Walter felt when the bed crashed through the ceiling?
- Predicting: What do you think Walter's dad will say when he finds out what happened?
