School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-This book introduces a series of quirky animal and human characters who feel unhappy about their physical appearances. "Our neighbor Teddy Mounds/thinks he has/too many pounds. Mother's bigger brother Peter's problem is/that he's too tall. All those/extra/centimeters/could go to/my best friend Paul." These verses culminate in a full-page poem that opens: "Some think if their bellies were flatter/ nothing else would ever matter. Others feel they have it rough-/with butts too bouncy or not bouncy enough." Then we meet "dear Uncle Nooks," who doesn't care about his looks and ends the book with "Each of you is quite a sight.../but the way you are/is the way that's right." The text is a cursive font that can be difficult to read, but it is large and bright. The distinctive cartoon illustrations are the selling point here. VERDICT A fun and humorous addition for those looking to address the topic of self-acceptance.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Through rhyming text (in sometimes hard-to-read cursive), wacky characters complain about their looks. From not having enough fur to being overweight, everyone has an issue, except for Uncle Nooks, who "doesn't care about looks" and convinces them that they are wonderful just the way they are. While the message of self-acceptance is clear, Budde's artwork hovers between really funny and slightly unsettling. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
