Synopsis: When Baby Owl decides to explore the woods, he is confident that nobody will bother him. Upon meeting Rabbit, Fox and Squirrel who all tell him how cute he is, the mutinous Baby Owl replies that he is “A huge and scary hunting machine”. However, finally when Baby Owl’s Mum agrees that he is ‘a huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyes hunting machine’ and gives him a big hug, he reverts to babyhood and decides in a tantrum, that he really is cute!

Review: It is easy to understand why I’m Not Cute was successful at the 2004 Bologna Book Fair, resulting in an auction for the overseas rights. This is an extremely appealing, funny, picture book from author and illustrator Jonathan Allen. Young readers will enjoy the storyline and empathise with the mildly anarchic character of Baby Owl and his relationship with his wise and loving mother. The repetitious language and superb illustrations will support developing readers, encouraging them to join in and predict what is coming next. I recommend this as an excellent addition to any young child’s book collection and a must for a classroom book corner.

2006-10-07