I'm Not Cute! by Jonathan Allen
Copyright 2014 - Boxer Books
Children's picture book
Source: Unsolicited from Sterling Children's
I'm Not Cute! is about a baby owl who doesn't want to be thought of as a cute little thing as he thinks himself a grown-up owl. Hopefully, you'll be able to enlarge these images. Baby owl decides to go for a walk in the woods where, "Nobody will bother ME," but he comes across Rabbit, who says he's "so cute" and "so small" and gives him a hug.
Baby Owl insists that he's a "huge and scary hunting machine with great big soft and silent wings." But, Fox comes along, sees him doing what Fox thinks is a little dance and calls him "so cute and so fluffy". Baby Owl gets another hug. The same thing continues with Squirrel admiring his cuteness and his "big baby eyes." Baby Owl throws a tantrum but along comes his mother, who listens to his complaints about being called cute and agrees with him. Clearly, he is a "huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine."
Naturally, the reverse psychology leads to a small crisis in which Baby Owl decides he really is cute.
His mama sympathizes, tells him it's bedtime and reads till Baby Owl drifts off to sleep. She whispers that he's awfully cute for a huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine. Baby Owl has one eye open but closes it with a smile on his face when she wishes him good night.
My thoughts: Anyone who has had or worked with a toddler or preschooler going through that phase during which they can't accept the fact that they're not yet grown-ups but still want the comfort of being coddled by an adult will relate to this story and enjoy reading it to a little one. And, the little one being read to will probably get a kick out of a little owl sharing his or her feelings.
Recommended - A good story that little ones can relate to with adorable illustrations. I love the fact that I'm Not Cute! shows both sides of the story. Sometimes a little one wants to be treated like an adult but at other times they just want to be loved, cuddled and babied.
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My kids are no longer in the picture book stage but I sure loved it when they were. I bought SO many! This one looks super cute. It's a bonus if it reads well out loud too. Some of the books I read to my kids were cute with the art, but sooooo boring to listen to.
ReplyDeleteI did, too. In fact, we've spent the last couple years weeding out children's books. I donate those I review, for the most part (except for the rare few I feel I must keep for future grandchildren). Totally agree with you that some are just not comfortable or interesting to read aloud, whether the illustrations are great or not. I particularly love a book that has a rhythm to it, for youngsters. Oh, and I read to the cats, now. LOL That's how I judge their readability! I probably shouldn't admit that but I've been doing it for years. Our dearly-departed Miss Spooky loved to being read to, believe it or not!
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