NO is all I know! Chris Grabenstein. Illustrated by Leo Espinosa. 2023. [May] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]
First sentence: Oliver McSnow would always say no!
no matter what you asked him.
Did he brush is teeth? NO!
Was he hungry? NO!
Would he clean up his mess? NO!
Did he want to swing on the swings? NO!
Oliver said NO! so many times...his NO! started to grow.
Premise/plot: NO! Is All I Know stars a [stubborn] toddler named Oliver. NO is his word of choice for almost all situations. He does manage somehow someway to always say yes to macaroni and cheese. But perhaps his parents just don't ask him if he wants it. Each spread offers an opportunity to laugh. The no-situation is being slightly exaggerated, in my opinion.
My thoughts: I LOVED this one. Is it for kids? Is it for adults? Is it for everyone? Parents have at the very least two options--neither good for the exact-in-the-moment-nowness of a fit--laugh or cry. Can you find the humor--at some point in time--in the situation? Because, to be honest and fair, many fit-throwing situations are ridiculous....later. This book doesn't illustrate HOW his parents handle the no-ness of it all. This focuses solely on Oliver. [Which I think is probably the best call. A book about the parents deciding HOW to deal with Oliver would be a lot less funny. Though definitely realistic for them to come up with a game plan.) It is written as a comedy.
I do like that Oliver meets his cousin (who always says yes) and the situation begins to resolve. Is it realistic? No. Is it fun? Mostly.
Jungle Cat. Andrew Larsen. Illustrated by Udayana Lugo. 2023. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]
First sentence: "Bob!" says Pearl. "Come in!"
Premise/plot: An apartment cat (named Bob) makes the rounds to ALL four apartments. He likes to think of himself as a jungle cat exploring and having adventures. But one adventure--an adventure outside the apartment complex--brings him to the realization that maybe he's not so wild after all. The apartment residents come together to 'rescue' "their" cat.
My thoughts: I didn't care for this one. At least I didn't care for it as much as I wanted to. I love, love, love, love, love cats. I wanted to love this picture book starring a mischievous cat. I just didn't. It is a fine book. There's no reason why other readers wouldn't enjoy it...or even love it.
© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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