Book Review: I'm Not Cute!
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this simple picture book has
nothing offensive for families.
Families can talk about why Baby Owl is feeling so frustrated. Why aren't the grown-ups listening to him? Perhaps kids reading can remember a time when they didn't feel heard by grown-ups. Do you ever wish you were big and strong? Do you mind if people say you're cute? What kinds of things can you say to grown-ups who want to hug you or pinch your cheeks when you don't want to be cuddled?
Common Sense Media Review
This quick-to-read picture book tells the very short story
of a, yes,
cute baby owl who wishes he wasn't so cute. All the
adult animals insist on squeezing him because he's so adorable.
For kids who labor under the same cute "burden," this book will
surely be cathartic.The pictures are what betray Baby Owl's
assertions that he's actually a "huge, sleek hunting machine"
since he is obviously a squeezable ball of fluff. The
author/illustrator effectively emphasizes Baby Owl's
huggability by neglecting to draw the black outline that
surrounds the other characters. The cartoon-like quality of the
pictures and the clean, white background keep the book moving
along quickly since there is little to dwell on in each page.
(One complaint from a child-reviewer: the bunny looks an awful
lot like a kangaroo. You may find yourself debating who's who
with kids, too.)The book ends with nurturing Mother Owl finally
hearing Baby Owl's frustration and acknowledging his wish to be
seen as more ferocious than he appears. For kids who are
feeling tense on behalf of Baby Owl, it makes for a nice
ending.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
