I'm Not Ready!

I'm Not...

by Jonathan Allen

Paperback

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Back To School, Animals, Fiction, Storytime

Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Allen has crafted this interesting series about ‘not’ being something or other. Like all growing owls, Baby Owl must begin preschool, but he is doing anything he can to delay. Mama Owl wants to rush out the door, but Baby Owl has different plans and wants to stall however possible. Could it be the fear of growing up or is there a larger worry that Baby Owl has yet to tell anyone? I remember that Neo was ready to face anything on his first day of school. He, like me, has a passion to learn and comes home with so many interesting stories. Thank goodness for that, but he is also one who likes to do things at his own pace, so being ready is not always on par with what others might like.

[Angela Treacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby Owl is getting ready to go to play group for the very first time. He’s scared and nervous so he tries to put off going for as long as possible by doing tasks at home that he would never normally do such as brushing his feathers and putting away his toys.

His mother tries to convince him that playgroup will be fun and that all his friends will be there and so baby owl gives in and goes to playgroup. He has so much fun that he doesn’t want to leave and he can’t wait to go back again the next day.

This is a nice book for Early Years children as it has some colourful, engaging illustrations so that the story is easy to follow. Children of this age might also be able to relate to Baby Owl not wanting to go to playgroup as they may have had the same experience themselves when attending school for the first time.

[Lindsay Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm Not Ready!" is a children's book about an Owl going to preschool. At the beginning of the book, Baby Owl makes excuses not to go to preschool because he says he's not ready. Baby Owl finally goes to preschool and doesn't want to leave at the end of the day. The book concludes with Baby Owl going to bed at bedtime so he's not late for preschool the next day.

This is considered a picture book because the illustrations are easy to see, that show pictures about what is going on in the story. The words are also minimal, so it is easy to ready.

This book would be a good book to read to students on the first few days of kindergarten. The students might be anxious to go to school, but this books addresses that issue and shows the students that they will grow to enjoy school.

[Fiona Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

One adventure too far for everybody's favourite grumpy baby owl; a tad formulaic.

[Tori Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This may seem a harsh review, but I have high standards for children's books. Baby Owl, the main character, is extremely disrespectful and disobedient to his mother. I understand, as I have children of my own, that little ones are not always able to express verbally what they are feeling inside ("I'm not ready"), and sometimes this results in tantrums. However, that does not make tantrums or refusing to obey or talking back to an authority figure acceptable. Mom can be attuned to Baby Owl's feelings and help shepherd him through them without accepting such awful misbehavior. Even my kids (3 and 5) understood that Baby Owl's behavior was bad and couldn't understand why he was allowed and even encouraged to behave this way in the story.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a song that talks about looking and clouds and love and life from different points of view. It amazes me how much our life experiences color how we feel about books. There are some things that we can choose not to do until we are ready. And there are some situations that life (and perhaps our parent or our children or others) throw at us ready or not.

Tell about some experiences that you did well in or enjoyed because you were ready for them. Tell about some experiences that you felt forced into - how did they go for you. Did you ever think you were not ready for something, but when it happened everything went better than expected. Tell me a little about them.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Borrowed this one from the library to set the mood for school restarting. They may not feel ready, but if they give it a shot they usually tend to enjoy themselves. Simple, fun illustration, relatable feelings.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby owl isn't ready for preschool. " It's not fair!" He tells momma owl. Things turn out in the end. Perfect book for little ones nervous about their first day of school.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the message of this book, and the artwork. Again, I sat in on a teacher's reading of it who did a great job acting out all the voices. 5/5 stars.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little owl and squirell ar eheaded off to preschool but Owl can't seem to get himself ready to go. Will he ever be ready? Preschool and up

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and cute. I like how Allen addresses being afraid to go to school.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book about first day jitters.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandson was enthralled.

[Eric Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Perfect to read to my own children.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Owl is at it again! A real page turner!!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the mother of a three year-old owl enthusiast with extreme separation anxiety, I really appreciate this book! Baby Owl's struggle is one we face every morning (complete with the temper!) But this book has my son asking me to take him back to school! This book has been great for us!!

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just look at that face. See the fear, worry, anxiety, sense of being overwhelmed portrayed on it ?

This adorable little owl character expresses all the above emotions because it is time for him to fledge from his home nest and attend his first day at school. He is so stressed that he procrastinates leaving by brushing his feathers (again) and stalls even more by putting away his toys! He really means business, he does NOT want to go! Mama Owl steps in to hurry him up or they will be late, "Please, Baby Owl, we have to go!" She senses his fear and apprehension and encourages him by saying that school will be fun if he just gives it a try. "But I'm not ready? cries Baby Owl. It's not fair," "You're making me go when I'm not ready!" With gentle persuasion and a positive loving attitude, Mama convinces her little owl to give it a try. Her baby is wonderfully surprised at what he discovers about his new school and the book has a very happy ending. This delightful tale is made for sharing with your little person who may be in the same situation this year and needs some advice and help from a little owl friend who has been there and done that and has ..... survived!

[Rachel Barnard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allen, Jonathan. I'm not ready! Boxer books, 2011.

Picture Book Soak

This book, I felt, was a little rude. I understand some children are not ready to go to school but writing and illustrating a child yelling at his mother is a little inappropriate. I did like the part where baby owl realized he has fun at school with his friends, but the whole intro of him yelling, he isn't ready, at his mother was unnecessary.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this book about being nervous starting preschool. I like the idea of showing a character who is nervous and school ends up being fun. The issue is that the little owl shows exactly what we don't want our kids doing, yelling at parents and throwing a temper tantrum. Though I'm not sure I would share this as a whole class read aloud, it might be useful one on one with parent/child who could talk more about how not to freak out like little owl...Prek

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four or higher for the illustrations. Baby Owl just looks so cuddly.

Three for the story. Has it's place ... especially at the beginning of the school year. But ... nothing new to see here other than the cute pictures. At all. Same story told in a not all that original way.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This easy to read story is about a young owl that is not ready to go to preschool and finds different things to do so he can tell his mom "I'm not ready". Story can be used with kids are nervous about starting school. It does have a happy ending.

[Thia]

first day of school

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Allen has created a super cute character that kids will seek out when perusing the bookstore and library shelves. Baby Owl is adorable fun and a great read aloud.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute. I do like Baby Owl.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terribly original, but I'm always happy to have another "back to school" choice to recommend.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Separation anxiety book. Baby owl makes every excuse for not going to preschool, until he finds out how much fun preschool can be. Then it's time to go home...

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing about Jonathan Allen's "Owl" stories is that they're so relatable to little ones. Large format, brief text, dialogue. Our story time crowd enjoyed this.

[Sonja Isaacson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby's Owl is getting ready for the first day of preschool.

[Rani · Rating 3 out of 5]

#YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading getting baby #owl ready for #school is a chore. But, wait. Something has changed now!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of a baby owl who delays getting ready to leave the house. He is worried about going to pre-school.