I'm Not Cute!

by Jonathan Allen

Overview

WHOO’s cute? Welcome back, Baby Owl! Now this popular story is in board book format for the youngest children.
 
With visions of himself as a “huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine,” Baby Owl goes out for a walk in the woods. But every animal he meets thinks he’s so cute, fluffy, and huggable! Poor Baby Owl. “I am NOT cute!” he shouts. Then Mom comes along—and she comes up with the perfect solution to the adorable little creature’s problem. It's a real hoot that every kid will relate to.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912757251
Publisher:	Boxer Books
Publication date:	03/31/2020
Series:	Baby Owl Series
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	368,577
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	1 - 3 Years

About the Author

Jonathan Allen has created many wonderful picture books for children including the popular Baby Owl series, which brought him international success, and The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo (all Boxer).

Editorial Reviews

Any child who hates to be cuddled and cooed over by grown-ups will likely identify with cuter-than-cute Baby Owl. "I'm not cute!" the winged hero proclaims to everyone who tells him he's adorable or small. "I am a huge and scary hunting machine with great big soft and silent wings." Allen's deft use of black line and woodsy palette features a toddler who has put up with more than enough pinched cheeks and unwanted hugs. He cringes when Fox pats his head and squirms when Squirrel admires his expressive "big baby eyes." It's not until Mama agrees with him that he's not cute at all, that Baby Owl wonders if his declaration isn't exactly in his best interest. Allen's depiction of Baby Owl's realization that he's backed himself into a corner and the image of his complete toddler meltdown are priceless. As Baby Owl shouts, "But I am cute!... I am! I am!" his mother knows bedtime when she sees it. After reading Baby Owl a story and tucking him in, she whispers, "You're so cute, Baby Owl.... For a huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine, that is." With its satisfying "good night" ending, and its reassuring glimpse of an adult who remembers what it feels like to be small, this winning book will resonate with children and grown-ups alike. Ages 2-5. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

PreS-K-When Rabbit, Fox, and Squirrel take turns hugging Baby Owl, gushing about his adorable features ad nauseum, the youngster grimaces and grumbles, insisting that he's a "huge, sleek hunting machine with great big see-in-the-dark eyes." Mama Owl resolves the problem at bedtime when she pairs both compliments in an acceptable fashion. Similar in style to Sandra Boynton's work, Allen's minimalist, black-outlined watercolors capture plenty of facial expressions. A fresh story line and (sorry, Baby Owl) cute cartoons make this a crowd-pleaser.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Baby Owl sets out to explore the woods. Rabbit spies him and finds him so adorable that she has to hug him and tell him he's cute. Baby Owl takes umbrage. He's not cute! He's a "huge and scary hunting machine." Fox sees Baby Owl displaying his wings and claws and thinks it's a cute dance; Fox hugs him too. When Squirrel comes along and does the same, Baby Owl runs to Mom for reassurance. She affirms his raptor nature and tells him he's not cute-which sets off a tantrum. He's her baby, and he IS cute. Mom realizes he's tired and tucks him in saying, "You're so cute . . . For a huge, sleek, scary, sharp-eyed hunting machine." Prolific British author/illustrator Allen's large-eyed cartoon critters are endearing, and he has nicely captured the toddler animus with Baby Owl's flip-flopping attitude. Young listeners will recognize themselves without realizing it; their parents will smile knowingly. (Picture book. 2-6)

Kirkus Reviews