Puss Reboots: Blog: August 2009: No, Never!

Recent posts

Reviews:
Adaptogenia by Wayne Wightman personal collection
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell library book
The Cat Barked? by Lydia Monks library book
Cat Skidoo by Bethany Roberts and RW Alley personal collection
City Above the Sea by Stephen Alan Saft review copy
City Lullaby by Marilyn Singer library book
Corona Centurion™ by Terry Bisson personal collection
Economancer by Carolyn Ives Gilman personal collection
A Field Guide to Monsters by Johan Olander library book
Grey Seas Under by Farley Mowat bookcrossing
Grimm's Grimmest by Tracy Arah Dockray bookcrossing
Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup personal collection
Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh bookcrossing
Harriet's Recital by Nancy Carlton personal collection
I Feel Skitty by Tracey West personal collection
Kin by Holly Black review copy
The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh bookcrossing
Mama, Don't Go by Rebecca Wells library book
No, Never! by Sally O. Lee review copy
Oh, the Things I Know! by Al Franken bookcrossing
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper library book
Paradiso Lost by Albert E. Cowdrey personal collection
Project Anastrophe by George Karnikis review copy
The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss bookcrossing
The Shipwreck of a Nation by H Peter Nennhaus review copy
Skim by Mariko Tamaki review copy
Sooner or Later or Never Never by Gary Jennings personal collection
Talk to the Hand by Lynne Truss bookcrossing
The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield bookcrossing
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee bookcrossing
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon library book
Yoko Writes Her Name by Rebecca Wells library book

Previous month

No, Never! 08/19/09

No, Never! by Sally O. Lee is about a Daisy the Dalmatian who is going through the terrible nos. Every kid seems to go through this phase of life where no matter what the question, the answer is always, "No, Never!"

My youngest is getting into her "No, Never" phase of life and she took immediately to the book. My oldest also likes the book. Both of them love Sally O. Lee's bright and colorful illustrations.

Stylistically the book reminds most of Harriet's Recital, another favorite of my children. For the storyline, I'm reminded of Too Tall Alice for its life lessons about growing up.

In this book, Daisy only wants to do what she wants to do. She has grand visions of being world famous and those plans don't include chores, homework or vegetables. She only agrees once her mother patiently shows her that the mundane parts of life are the building blocks of the bigger adventures.

I would have loved to see the mother give a more in depth or personalized explanation to Daisy. Her explanation ultimately comes down to "because these things are good for you" without backing that up with how or why. If Daisy is anything like my two kids, she'll want to know how or why chores, homework and vegetables will help make her world famous.