cover image I’m Not Reading!

I’m Not Reading!

Jonathan Allen. Boxer (Sterling, dist.), $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-907967-44-3

Storytime is not for the faint of heart, as Baby Owl learns in his latest adventure. His attempt to read to his stuffed owl gets out of hand when a small yellow chick tries to listen in, quickly followed by his brothers, sisters, cousins, and more (“Just then, along came Tiny Chick’s school friends and their brothers and sisters and cousins”). Although Baby Owl ends up buried in chicks, some minor parental intervention handily sets things right. A somewhat slight but nonetheless entertaining story starring this easily rattled owl. Ages 3–5. (Mar.)