NOPE

October 24, 2016
In what’s nearly a one-word story, a small blue bird refuses to leave the nest and attempt to fly. Gazing down at the ground far below, it imagines that all kinds of nasty predators await: a hungry cat, a pack of dogs licking their chops, and even circling crocodiles. “Nope!” the bird declares, succinctly summing up its intention to stay put. “¡No! Nein! Nyet!” The bird’s mother, who has been watching her child’s protestations with more than a little bemusement, does what any good parent might: she offers a hug and a kiss, and then gently dropkicks her offspring (“Boop!”) into the ether. Instinct takes over, and the bird quickly discovers not only that it can fly but also that the world is more benevolent than it imagined. Editorial cartoonist Sheneman makes a solid children’s book debut with this memorable parent-child pair—the baby bird’s sense of drama may remind some readers of Mo Willems’s beguilingly histrionic Pigeon—and his crisp digital illustrations and playful sense of composition never miss a comic beat. Ages 3–5. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management.

September 15, 2016
A nearly wordless graphic picture book illustrates the angst of a fledgling whose parent is determined to see it take its first flight.The double-page spread encompassing the title page shows a small, comical bird sitting in a nest of twigs, dubiously eyeing a larger bird who flies above it with a facial expression of avian bliss. There follows a series of panels that show long-distance views of the larger bird gracefully landing in the nest occupied by, apparently, its progeny. The next double-page spread shows a single aerial view, with the little bird gazing far down to the earth. On the ensuing pages, the little bird exhibits high anxiety and clings to its parent with a large speech bubble that proclaims the titular "NOPE!" Over the course of the book, the little one--through pastel-tinged images in thought bubbles--imagines all the possible terrors it may encounter venturing from the nest, while its parent continues to encourage it to leave. There are occasional sound-effect words, such as "shake" and "flap," and there is a full page of "no" in several different languages. Most of the story is told exclusively with the funny facial expressions and body language of two birds at cross purposes. The simple message is clear, and the humorous animals are foregrounded against pretty green and blue watercolor settings. Naturally, "nope" eventually changes to "yep." Full of humor and action, with easily recognizable emotions. (Picture book. 4-6)

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March 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-An encouraging yet insistent blue mama bird tries to nudge a not-so-confident chick out of the nest. As he peers nervously over the edge, he imagines a dangerous scene awaiting him-a cat, a pack of wolves, and even a pool of gators ready to devour him. "Nope!" he says. When Mama eventually kicks the chick out, he learns that not only is he capable of flying, he also loves it! This debut picture book from an editorial cartoonist contains humorous, brightly colored images. Almost wordless, the story conveys a wide range of emotions, including frustration, fear, and exhilaration, through the birds' expressions and body language. The many expressions, combined with a comic style and lack of dialogue, offer plenty of discussion opportunities between parent and child. Preschoolers who sometimes feel nudged out of the nest themselves will relate to the blue chick's reluctance to fly, laugh out loud at his antics to avoid it, and delight in his eventual accomplishment. VERDICT A fun book to share one-on-one, showing a wide range of attitudes one might adopt when faced with new undertakings, and a strong choice for picture book collections.-Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA

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