“I’M NOT CUTE!”

Baby Owl sets out to explore the woods. Rabbit spies him and finds him so adorable that she has to hug him and tell him he’s cute. Baby Owl takes umbrage. He’s not cute! He’s a “huge and scary hunting machine.” Fox sees Baby Owl displaying his wings and claws and thinks it’s a cute dance; Fox hugs him too. When Squirrel comes along and does the same, Baby Owl runs to Mom for reassurance. She affirms his raptor nature and tells him he’s not cute—which sets off a tantrum. He’s her baby, and he IS cute. Mom realizes he’s tired and tucks him in saying, “You’re so cute . . . For a huge, sleek, scary, sharp-eyed hunting machine.” Prolific British author/illustrator Allen’s large-eyed cartoon critters are endearing, and he has nicely captured the toddler animus with Baby Owl’s flip-flopping attitude. Young listeners will recognize themselves without realizing it; their parents will smile knowingly. (Picture book. 2-6)