NO Is All I Know!

by Chris Grabenstein, Leo Espinosa (Illustrator)

Overview

"Toddler Oliver says "no" to everything-from brushing his teeth and cleaning to swinging on the swings-until his cousin Jess comes to visit and Oliver discovers all that is possible when you say 'yes.'"--

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593302040
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/16/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.34(d)
Lexile:	AD450L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN made his picture-book debut with No More Naps! and is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Dog Squad, Smartest Kid in the Universe, and Welcome to Wonderland series. He's also the author of The Island of Dr. Libris; Shine!, coauthored with J.J. Grabenstein; and many other books. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., and their cats, Luigi and Phoebe Squeak.

Leo Espinosa is a New York Times bestselling illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia. His picture books include Islandborn (by Junot Díaz), for which he was awarded a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor; No More Naps! (by Chris Grabenstein); and The World Belonged to Us (by Jacqueline Woodson). His work has been featured in a variety of publications, products, animated series, and gallery shows worldwide, and his award-winning illustrations have been recognized by American Illustration, Communication Arts, Pictoplasma, 3x3, and the Society of Illustrators (with Gold and Silver Medals). Leo also serves on the faculty of Rhode Island School of Design. He lives with his family in Salt Lake City.

Editorial Reviews

2023-02-25
Oliver McSnow says, “No!” to everything until his cousin Jess teaches him the power of “Yes!”

A word all too familiar to caregivers of little ones, no echoes around Oliver’s house. He turns down food, a request to clean up a mess, and even the chance to use the swings. When Jess comes to play, he says, “Yes!” before Oliver can say “No!” and off they go, swinging, scootering, and even enjoying ice cream. As it turns out, Jess just might change Oliver’s mind forever, showing him the joyful wonder of saying yes. Grabenstein’s naysayer is wholeheartedly believable, as is the exuberant, gleeful Jess. Espinosa’s illustrations perfectly capture Oliver’s exasperated parents, who are exhausted by the boy’s rejection of everything except for macaroni and cheese. The story will have readers realizing right alongside Oliver just how much fun there is in trying and doing new things. Text and illustrations are well balanced, never belaboring the message and letting Oliver’s experiences speak for themselves. Espinosa’s black-outlined illustrations capture the characters midmovement: Oliver biking through the house with one socked foot or sprinting naked through the front door. The story strikes just the right note of on-the-nose kid behavior and parent feelings with a hint of silly and a satisfying resolution. Oliver is tan-skinned, his parents are lighter-skinned, and Jess is brown-skinned. There are background characters of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Say yes to each reread of this one. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews