I’m not cute!: Using picture books to process tricky emotions

Kitten character sketch © 2021 by Tim Warnes

My current illustration project features a kitten.

Small, cute and feisty, she knows how to express her frustrations! The story reminds adults that even the youngest of us experience anger. From their perspective, life can feel like a repeating sequence of being dragged from here to there. Or being constantly told, “Do this”, or, “Don’t do that.” And let’s not forget those patronising adults who pinch cheeks and pat heads - well, it’s enough to make any self-respecting toddler (or kitten) have a melt-down! Seeing this reflected in the books they read reassures children that even uncomfortable feelings are normal.

Probably the first picture book to address these undeniable emotions was Maurice Sendak’s groundbreaking, Where the Wild Things Are (1963). Until then, children’s books ‘pictured childhood as a time of exuberant joy and wonder.’ Then along came wolf-boy Max (so angry that he threatens his mother - “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” ):

 

 [Sendak] pictured [childhood] as a dangerous period, where the child was prey to destructive impulses, internal fears, and almost uncontrollable frustrations.

- WILD THINGS! Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature (Candlewick Press 2014)

 

An example from my oeuvre is NO!, written by Tracey Cordwell (the first in the series featuring Archie the rhino). It, too, gives voice to young children’s feelings. Picture books like these are significant. Why? Because they tell our kids, I see you - which validates their emotions.

 

From the Japanese edition of NO! by Tracey Corderoy, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2013) | Illustration © 2013 by Tim Warnes

 

At the same time, they are a lot of fun to illustrate - and for parents - to read aloud! An excellent example is this week’s Story Worth Sharing: I’m not cute! (the first in a series about a grumpy owlet).

  

From I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) | Illustration © 2005 by Jonathan Allen

 I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) is proof that sometimes the most straightforward stories are the most satisfying.

Right from the start, Allen’s Baby Owl looks rather grumpy. He sets off to explore the woods, confident that his glowering face means nobody will bother him.

‘Then along came Rabbit.’ 

Rabbit’s the first in a succession of walk-on characters, each of whom (undeterred by Baby Owl’s scowling face) insist on picking him up and hugging him.

And they each tell Baby Owl how cute he is!

Which is a problem. Because Baby Owl (undeniably adorable) doesn’t want to be cute (or fluffy)! Infuriated, Baby Owl declares:

 

“I am a huge and scary hunting machine with great big soft and silent wings.”

 

From I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) | Illustration © 2005 by Jonathan Allen

 

Baby Owl demonstrates his predatory prowess by flapping his tiny wings and baring his clawed feet. Fox mistakes these actions for a cute little dance, while Squirrel refers to Baby Owl’s ‘great big see-in-the-dark eyes’ as ‘big baby eyes’ (which really ticks Baby Owl off!).

Along comes Mum. Baby Owl snuggles into her feathery embrace and complains - 

 

“It’s not fair!”… Rabbit, Fox and Squirrel all say I’m cute. But I’m not!”

 

From I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) | Illustration © 2005 by Jonathan Allen

 

Now comes a nice little twist to the story. Baby Owl’s mother reassures and agrees with him that he’s not cute (“You’re a huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine”) and gives him a ‘great big hug’. But Baby Owl has second thoughts. What if, when it comes to mummies, being a scary hunter isn’t enough?

Baby Owl’s expression - a sudden realisation that he wants to be cute as well as an efficient hunting machine - is captured perfectly by writer-illustrator Allen. He describes his work as ‘all about individual character, facial expressions and emotional connection with that character’ - and he pulls it off so well in this book. His characterisation of the little owl is full of emotion and character. From full-on, leg-kicking tantrums to the wide-eyed realisation that, perhaps, being an ace hunter isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

 

From I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) | Illustration © 2005 by Jonathan Allen

 

“But I am cute!” said Baby Owl.

“I am! I AM!”

 

As with a plethora of picture books, I’m not cute! has (as Publishers Weekly noted) a satisfying “good night” ending. What sets it apart is the wry humour. (Books for Keeps criticised this aspect of the story, regarding it as ‘clearly pitched for the adult reading the book rather than for the pre-school child to whom it is being read.’ I disagree - I think young readers are more sophisticated than that (especially if they experience the outbursts of younger siblings). And the fact that Baby Owl is clearly very annoyed and yet unutterably adorable at the same time is funny in itself.)

Good old Mum recognises an over-tired owlet when she sees one! Tucked into bed, she reads him a story, ‘and Baby Owl [drifts] off to sleep’. But not before one final twist: Mum solves her baby owl’s dilemma by whispering in his ear that he is cute, after all - “for a huge, scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine, that is.”

Allen’s final image of Baby Owl (tucked up with his cuddly toy owl) is utterly terrifying and will strike fear into the hearts of mice and men! Definitely NOT cute at all… 

Sleep easy, Baby Owl!

 

From I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005) | Illustration © 2005 by Jonathan Allen

 STORIES WORTH SHARING: I’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen

Good to Read because:

The simple (and funny) storyline withstands repeated readings.

Children will instantly warm to Baby Owl - and identify with his feelings towards patronising grown-ups!

Young children are validated and affirmed by seeing their emotions (both positive and negative) depicted in stories, opening opportunities for discussion.

 GOOD TO READ

Picture books featuring cute fluffy owlets

Love Enough for Two by Jane Chapman

A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor and Jean Julien

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson

 BUY THE BOOK

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‘Warm, expressive illustrations reveal Baby Owl’s changing emotions with empathy and humour.’

- Book Trust

‘Excellent story for my little brother. We first got it from the library and now it is a firm favourite at bedtime.’

- Aoife on Good Reads

buy UK buy us* I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFFSOURCESI’m not cute! by Jonathan Allen (Boxer Books 2005)WILD THINGS! Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature by Betsy Bird, Julie Danielson and Peter D. Sieruta (Candlewick Press 2014)NO! by Tracey Corderoy, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2013) I’m not Cute! (Kikus Reviews, 1 April 2006) Rummaging and Rummating - Jonathan Allen (Picture Book Den, 15 February 2016) I’m not Cute! (Books for Keeps) I’m Not Cute! (Publishers Weekly)© 2021 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.