I'm Not a Baby

by Jill McElmurry

As the years go by, the members of Leo Leotardi's family continue to think he is just a baby.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

Hardcover

First published July 11, 2006

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dithered between three and four stars on this one. It's so silly but I kind of liked it ;-> The illustrations are a total hoot; I love the Victorian/Edwardian setting but with an almost cartoony essence and the little humorous things hiding in the illustrations--like the mom doing up a corset on the father (!) and another where it totally looks like she's holding a cup with a (muted) Starbucks logo!!! :-D I think the story is one kids could relate to because it highlights, in a wonderfully absurd way, how the littlest one in the family is somehow always seen as "the baby" no matter how old he gets.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some children, by virtue of nothing more than their birth order, are destined to be called "baby" throughout their lives. Don't believe me? Ask my 23 year old baby sometime . . .

There's not much of a story here, other than Leo Leotardi denying his babyhood, but I like the author's choice to set the book in Victorian times, and her illustrations.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Leo Letardi's family had always considered him the baby, from the time he actually was a baby, and needed the care of Nanny Fanni, to his graduation from high school, and on into his adulthood. Nothing he did or said seemed to change their perception of him, or make them stop referring to him as a 'baby.' Until, that is, Leo himself had a baby...

I vacillated between a two and three star rating with Jill McElmurry's I'm NOT a Baby! - a quirky picture-book examination of the life of the youngest child, in an Edwardian family - but eventually decided upon three, as I think young readers will be able to identify with Leo's frustrations at his family's inability to see that he is growing up. For my own part, I wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but somehow the magic just wasn't there for me.

[Annagrace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of THE funniest children's books we've ever read. Get on your library's website and request it now. The clever Victorian-ish styling with the stray modern element (Chuck Taylor's, laptops, Starbucks mug) and the darkly-comic details of a youngest child forced to wear baby attire his entire childhood is amazing. Sounds creepy but it's actually pretty amazing.

[Lu Benke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of humor in the illustrations. I can imagine someone who is the youngest in a family resonating with the refrain. Would like to try this with kids and see their reactions.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. And weird.

It reminded me of those pranks that you used to see on America's Funniest Home Videos - you know where an adult man is in a baby stroller, and people go to check up on this baby, and they're in for a quite a surprise...

It was another good picture book.

I'm not sure what the message is - maybe that if you're the baby of the family, you'll always be considered the baby of the family.

Who knows.

My kids most appreciated the names of the children: Lester, Lulu and Lila, and Leo.

[Tuyet Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember this: No matter what will happen, you are always a baby to your parents. Even when you are old, you are still their child, and if you are their child, you are their baby. Quite simple.

[Jim Erekson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We haven't bought this yet, but we check it out from the library repeatedly. Super funny!

[Amy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just came across this book again after maybe a decade; my kids loved it when they were little and we still quote the one line from the main character's boss: "Congratulations, Leotardi, I hear you're a baby!"

[Randi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really strange content for a picture book.

[Paloma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a funny yet pretty realistic story of how it feels like to be the youngest of the family or "baby". The character has always been treated as a baby by his family even long after he stopped being a toddler. You see him grow up and experience new things that show his growth but is still babied, He repeats time and time again"I'm not a baby!" as he continues his journey through life yet no one else hears or sees what he says. Although he is independent and an adult because he is the last child his family will always see him as the baby of the family, that is until he gets married and has a child of his own. Then his families attention is directed to the baby leaving him happy as well as continuing the story again (circle story)

[Erika Hubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was sort of humorous to me. it shows that the youngest in the family will always be considered a baby no matter how old they get. It also shows that if you want to be known as something else you have to work hard to break others beliefs. The pictures were nice and went well with the story. It was an alright story.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The youngest in the Leotardi family (a boy named Leo) is just not allowed to grow up and he's not happy about that. He often asserts that, "I'm NOT a baby!" but no one will listen until he has a baby of his own.

Dex (4yo) really enjoyed this story, often reading along with the "I'm NOT a baby!" parts.

Fun illustrations.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did anyone else notice that Nanny was wearing Chuck Taylors?

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. The baby of the family is always called baby. My kids love to read it over and over.

[Ashley Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leo is growing up, but his family will not listen to him because he is the youngest of the family. I would use this book to talk about how everyone grows and the changes our body makes as we grow.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 12/31/08 -


Julia got this for Christmas and we both love it. We've read it every night so far and it's great for kids who aren't 'babies' any more! :)

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book to my grandson probably 25 times while borrowing it from the library 3 or 4 times. It really appeals to a kid who wants to be grown up. Good for a 6 or 7 or 8 yr old maybe.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny book about an issue that many people have happen to them - the ignorance of family that you've grown-up.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't charmed by the images or the words. Fortunately, my second grade reading buddy enjoyed the story more.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a baby!

[Kevin Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kids love it for Storytime.