Nope

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. (Jan.)

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