bookshelf

THAT'S NOT NORMAL!

Name: THAT'S NOT NORMAL!
Author: Mar Pavón
ISBN: 978-84-18133-23-7

by Mar Pavón ; illustrated by Laure du Fäy ; translated by Martin Hyams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 8, 2021

A fable that reminds readers that “normal” isn’t always better.

bookshelf

Sometimes our differences prove to be our greatest strengths.

Elephant has an unusually long nose—even for an elephant. Rather than letting it slow him down, he uses it for all sorts of fun and practical applications on the savanna. Elephant uses his lengthy trunk to rock Little Antelope to sleep and to help Old Monkey climb trees. The refrain “That’s not normal!” follows each example of Elephant using his trunk in an unexpected way, each depicted by du Faÿ with winning whimsy. Most of the animals are thankful for Elephant’s odd but helpful nose. The only animal around that doesn’t seem amused by Elephant’s stretched-out snout is grouchy busybody Hippopotamus. He’s so preoccupied with criticizing Elephant that he doesn’t notice when Baby Hippo is in imminent danger. Elephant and his nose step in to save the day despite Hippopotamus’ harassment. A chastened Hippo apologizes and vows to change his judgmental ways—a neat and tidy ending that readers can aspire to even if they don’t witness it often in real life. This solid English translation of the Spanish ¡Eso no es normal! (published in Spain in 2015) preserves the charm of the original. Repeated phrases and eye-catching illustrations give the story great read-aloud and read-together potential.

A fable that reminds readers that “normal” isn’t always better. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2021

ISBN: 978-84-18133-23-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: NubeOcho

Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
CLUCKY AND THE STARS
by Mar Pavón ; illustrated by Monica Carretero ; translated by Jon Brokenbrow

- BOOK REVIEW
CLUCKY AND THE MAGIC KETTLE
by Mar Pavón ; illustrated by Monica Carretero

bookshelf

IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

bookshelf

Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

bookshelf

HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

bookshelf

Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)