Children's Room Show me where

jE/Allen
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Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jE/Allen Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Hyperion Books for Children 2006, c2005.
Language
English
Main Author
Jonathan Allen, 1957- (-)
Item Description
Originally published: Great Britain : Boxer Books Ltd., 2005.
Physical Description
unpaged : col. ill. ; 29 cm
ISBN
9780786837205
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

PreS-K. Although more cartoonish than Eric Carle's Grouchy Ladybug (1977), this tale of a cranky owlet will have a similarly calming influence on nestlings of the human sort. In a brief text paired with big, very simple cartoons, a scowling, downy orange chick goes for a walk in the woods, and responds huffily to the cooing affection of passing animals; neither cute nor small, it declares, I am a huge and scary hunting machine with great big soft and silent wings. When Mama Owl enters at last, agreeing with this assessment, a tantrum ensues: But I am cute! I am! I AM! You're tired, says Mama. It's bedtime for you. Right on. Amused parents and children alike will readily acknowledge the authenticity of Baby Owl's behavior. --John Peters Copyright 2006 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

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.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

The forest animals call him ""cute,"" but Baby Owl insists that he is really a ""huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine."" When his mother lovingly sides with him, he becomes angrier and she realizes that he is ready for bed. While the story's payoff isn't that satisfying, Allen's direct text and uncomplicated illustrations adroitly capture a tired child's contrariness. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

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) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.