No No Yes Yes
Every spread pairs a "no-no" behavior with the allowed version, like crayon on the wall versus crayon on paper. It delivers house rules as a joke rather than a telling-off.
No No Yes Yes by Leslie Patricelli is estimated to take about 2 minutes to read aloud (40 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 0-3.
Check the book on AmazonAffiliate link
- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 2 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 40Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 1/5plain words
- Best for
- Ages 0-3Our editorial fit
Our review
The book uses humor and repetition to introduce boundaries. By framing rules as a funny "no-no" versus a "yes-yes," it makes social expectations feel approachable.
Two-year-olds often enjoy shouting the "no no" part, making it a highly engaging, participatory reading experience. It’s great for navigating those early toddler boundary-testing moments.
Before you buy it
This book can serve as a way to introduce toddlers to a wide range of ideas they might not have encountered yet.
Themes
- behaviour
- opposites
- humour
- first concepts
Books like No No Yes Yes
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read No No Yes Yes aloud?
About 2 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 40. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is No No Yes Yes actually for?
Ages 0-3 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 1 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does No No Yes Yes survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Is No No Yes Yes a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise No No Yes Yes?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 5 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read No No Yes Yes on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (1 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does No No Yes Yes cover?
We tag it with behaviour, opposites, humour and first concepts. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists No No Yes Yes is on
49 reviewed booksBooks for 2 Year OldsFind the best books for 2 year olds. Our list includes read-aloud times and word counts to help you pick the right book for any mood or moment.
48 reviewed booksBooks for 1 Year OldsFind board books, touch-and-feel books, and flaps for 1 year olds. Includes realistic read-aloud times and age-appropriate selections.
59 reviewed booksBoard BooksA curated list of 60 board books for ages 0-3, including read-aloud times and durability ratings for books that survive chewing and rereading.- 30 reviewed booksBoard Books for BabiesHandpicked board books for babies (birth to age two) with read-aloud times and word counts to help you find books they'll actually love.
13 reviewed booksBoard Books for NewbornsThe best high-contrast and wordless board books for newborns, focusing on visual edges and rhythm. Includes read-aloud times.- 30 reviewed booksBoard Books for ToddlersFind board books built for toddler repetition. Includes read-aloud times and scores for handling constant repeats.
- 45 reviewed booksBest Books to Read to ToddlersA curated list of books for ages one to three. Sorted by interaction, speed, and bedtime utility, with estimated read-aloud times for every book.
- 28 reviewed booksBooks for an 18 Month OldFind 28 books for eighteen-month-olds. We look for titles with simple naming, fun refrains, and short read-aloud times.