Copyright Date:
2024
Edition Date:
2024
Release Date:
06/04/24
Illustrator:
Player, Micah,
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
1-662-64014-5
ISBN 13:
978-1-662-64014-8
Dewey:
E
LCCN:
2022947163
Dimensions:
29 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
As her name suggests, Itty Bitty Betty Blob is a small, amorphous monster, but that's not what sets her apart.It's Betty's cheerful demeanor that makes her different from her peers. What kind of monster "rejoice[s] at rainbows" and "dance[s] among the dandelions"? Betty's pink hue also distinguishes her from her classmates, who are rendered in a black-and-white palette, and makes her stand out in her rather somber, expressionistic setting. Brief, alliterative sentences keep the pages turning as readers learn about her trouble fitting in at school: While the other students faithfully reproduce a still life of dead flowers on a table, hers is a vibrant image of a living, yellow daisy. The crisis comes to a head on picture day. Despite the dreadful outfit her mother selects, Betty can't grimace fiercely enough. As she travels through the spooky forest to school, the diminutive monster is distracted by a pink puff. Following it, she encounters an entire fluffy community that encourages her to be true to herself. Her frightful frock becomes an extravaganza of flowers. The climax involves a mood transformation for the entire class as puffs emerge from Betty's dress, tickling everyone as the flash goes off. Children will enjoy the humor in the reversal of expectations around classroom culture-and will be heartened by Betty's willingness to embrace what makes her different-although subsequent readings don't yield much more.A light touch delivers an increasingly common but important message. (Picture book. 4-6)
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A Barnes + Noble Most Anticipated Kids’ Book
A Kids’ Indie Next Pick
Itty Bitty Betty Blob tries to be bad, like a good little monster—but she's NOT GOOD at being bad! This social-emotional learning picture book shows kids ages 4 - 8 that being yourself is more than enough. A perfect Halloween gift!
★ BookPage, starred review
It's monster picture day again! Itty Bitty Betty Blob sits in front of the mirror practicing her growling for the camera. But for Betty growling is not so easy. She's not a typical monster, and she doesn't love scaring anyone. What does Betty love? Dancing and rainbows and cute furry creatures. So when Betty's mom hands her a perfectly horrible scaly black dress to wear on picture day, Betty isn't sure. Of course she wants to make mom happy, so she heads off to school with high hopes, practicing her growling all the way there... and that's when Betty makes a discovery that feels just right.