Parfait, Not Parfait!

by Scott Rothman, Avery Monsen (Illustrator)

A minimally worded, highly entertaining, and uniquely offbeat picture book that takes readers on a surprising wordplay journey that sort of makes sense but will totally make you laugh.

This must-read book is an innovative and deceptively simple journey of words that rhyme (or don't) with "parfait." Each page turn brings on the laughs as the clever story bounces from an uneaten parfait to seemingly random characters, including a duck, a toupée-wearing Shar-pei, horses playing "Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkay", and even. . . Abraham Lincoln. Throughout, bestselling artist Avery Monsen ( All My Friends Are Dead ) packs fun seek-and-finds, giving readers a chance to spot everything that rhymes with "parfait."

Irreverent and wholly original, Parfait, Not Parfait is a book full of irresistible layers, each one more satisfying than the last.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 9, 2022

About the author

SCOTT ROTHMAN is a writer of picture books, screenplays, theater, and humor pieces. Scott’s debut picture book ATTACK OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON (Random House) and its sequel RETURN OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON were both National Indie bestsellers and are being developed into a musical kids TV series by Mercury Filmworks with best-selling illustrator Pete Oswald and Tony-award winning composer Bill Sherman.

His most recent book KITTYBUNKPORT was featured on the TODAY SHOW and was selected by Jenna Bush Hager for her Summer Reading List. Scott’s book WARM AND FUZZY (Tundra, illustrated by Brian Won) received a starred review from Booklist who called it a “fun and helpful read about overcoming anxieties.”

Scott’s other kid’s books include the Virginia Readers’ Choice finalist BLUE BISON NEEDS A HAIRCUT and BUBBLE GUM BISON NEEDS A BATH (Random House, both illustrated by Pete Oswald), PARFAIT, NOT PARFAIT (Roaring Brook Press, illustrated by Avery Monsen), MAKO & TIGER: A SHARK’S TALE (Random House, illustrated by Mika Song) and BASKETBALL TOWN (Candlewick Press, illustrated by Darnell Johnson). He has six more books coming out in 2026.

A screenplay Scott co-wrote with playwright Rajiv Joseph, DRAFT DAY, topped the 2012 Black List before being made into a feature film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner. In addition, Scott co-wrote the script for the comedy ARMY OF ONE starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Larry Charles.

Scott also wrote the book for the one-person musical TODD VS. THE TITANIC (music and lyrics by Murder for Two’s Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair) which was produced by the Adirondack Theatre Festival and the Hangar Theatre.

Scott’s humor writing has appeared in The New Yorker, GQ and McSweeney’s. He received an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU.

Reviews

[Justin Banger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOLed real hard.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wacky book with fun illustrations. Will probably make your kids laugh a whole bunch.

[Sarah BT]

So silly and so much fun! I loved having to find all the hidden rhyming words throughout in the illustrations.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a good laugh at this book. I wonder what inspired the author. Was Scott-ay reading a French menu with Aver-ay? You can't talk about this book. You just have to read it.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, silly book about words that rhyme with "parfait" even though they don't all look like they would. Strong art.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is the delightfully silly Parfait, Not Parfait!, written by Scott Rothman and illustrated by Avery Monsen, a rhyming book with an irreverent twist.

With each page using a one- to four-word phrase that ends in an “ay” sound, young readers are walked through a simple identification exercise. For instance, this tasty fruit-and-yogurt dessert? Parfait. This duck standing beside a lake? Not parfait. This wrinkly dog named André? Shar-Pei. This ecstatic-looking permanent felt-tip marker? Not Shar-Pei (Sharpie!). This goofy conceit draws the reader through more “ay”-ending words, ending with a satisfying twist on the formula, and a delicious treat.

Wonderfully whimsical. This is one of those picture books that really leans into absurdity in a way that kids love; it’s not here to teach a lesson or even really tell a story, but just to make little readers laugh. In this, it succeeds wonderfully – the combination of dry visual humor, repetition and introduction of unfamiliar vocabulary, and yes, even a poop joke, makes a great read-through experience that will definitely garner some laughs among younger audiences (shoot, even I chucked at a few of the absurdist gags). JJ thought this was one of the funniest books we’ve read all year, and couldn’t wait to read it again, and the short length and simple language made it easy for her to do so on her own. The Easter eggs of various “ay”-ending words in the artwork, as well as a small list of them on the credit page, is another nice touch. Overall, this was a sweet and silly treat that adults and little ones can enjoy together, and we recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

**This book is being considered as a nominee for next year’s Beehive Book Award for Children in Utah. My review reflects my thoughts as it pertains to that consideration.**

Ehhh... sometimes I got it, but other times I wasn't sure. People seem to be split on this one - some love it, some are confused by it. It's interesting to see, but I'm not sure that this book is my thing.

The illustrations are cute, though.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love children's books like these! First the reading is silly and the illustrations engaging. Reading with a mixed group of ages was just fine. I loved all the inclusion of other words that made some unique sounds for my developing reader. I'd recommend it for those helping introduce foreign words to kids in a fun and learning-conducive repetitious way. Really well done book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Parfait! This is not a parfait!

Laugh and play along with this simple game of "Yes, No" with vividly humorous illustrations by Avery Monsen and text by Scott Rothman.

I found myself actually laughing out loud at this book. Super cute! Great read for classrooms or storytime!

Excuse me, now I want a parfait!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why, why, why did I like this book this much? It is weird. It is nonsense. After the first few pages, I was confused and a bit annoyed, but as I relaxed into the silliness of it, I was entertained. I haven't gone back to look into a picture book this much in a long time, and especially for how simple the art looks, there are more layers to it than you'd expect at first.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just fun. Every time I read it, I laugh at the unexpected and silliness of it. The illustrations are cute and funny. The text is simple and surprising. Just a fun book for any kid, especially those who love a good rhyme or are learning to read. Read best by a serious or dramatic voice.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This does not make sense at all, either as a picture book or a guide to homonyms. Also, the repeated use of the same parfait illustration throughout the book seemed more like a shortcut than anything else. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the point of this book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual rhyming book, where there are lots more rhymes hidden in the pictures. Parfait? Toupee? Birthday par-tay? Souffle flambe? But why include Abraham Lincoln? I would pair this with "Ice Cream Face", and ask the kids what they think is happening, and if "duck" rhymes.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that has an emphasis on rhyming words and just outright silliness. It's not really a story but just a guessing game for the reader to figure out the words that rhyme with "parfait" on each page. I was stumped on a few pages but the end gives out all of the possible answers.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud and enjoy the quirkiness. I can see how this could encourage a kid to learn a second language as well (think French). Reminds me of so many oft confused homophonic words in the English language.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun-nay even though it petered out about midway.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay that was fun.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, fun book

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little book about what is a parfait and what is not. It adds a few other things in there to keep it interesting.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple but clever picture book that aspires to no more then playing with words and having fun with pictures. Pretty much perfect reasons for a picture book to exist. Destined to become a classic.

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read it twice, because I'm slow on the uptake sometimes. But once I got it, I found it funny. Kiddos will love it.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not help but giggle at the illustrations!

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stop laughing at the ridiculousness of this book!

[Sarah Limb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations! Totally my style! I just didn’t get it. So random haha. But maybe that’s the point? Just a whole bunch of randomness!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful and very funny (though funnier to an adult than a kid, I suspect)

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very odd

[Fisher Boys Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny word play. It had my kids laughing super hard.

[Laura, still reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freakin’ cute! ❤️📚

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple rhymes. Clever bits.