"A sweet story that could be used as a springboard to discussion of the pitfalls of making snap judgments about pets — or people." — School Library Journal
Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet — one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don’t go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought? With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected — and positively fishy — tale about finding the good in something you didn’t know you wanted.
Kelly Bennett is the author of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, as well as Vampire Baby and Dad and Pop: An Ode to Fathers and Stepfathers, both illustrated by Paul Meisel, among many other books for children. Kelly Bennett divides her time between Westhampton, New York, and Houston, Texas.
Noah Z. Jones is the illustrator of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, as well as Those Shoes and A Bike Like Sergio’s, both written by Maribeth Boelts. He is also the creator of the animated television series Fish Hooks, Almost Naked Animals, and Pickle and Peanut. Noah Z. Jones lives in Southern California.
This eye-catching book makes a satisfying read-aloud choice for pet day or any day. —Booklist
This emotional turnaround never feels forced or pat, thanks to a strong partnership between Bennett's text and newcomer Jones's artwork. The off-the-cuff yet kidlike prose ideally suits the bright, crisp, digital drawings. —Publishers Weekly
An inventive interpretation of the old adage 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' NOT NORMAN is the perfect book for dog-resistant parents to read to their puppy-worshipping kids-as long as they're willing to take on a new goldfish or two. —Time Out New York Kids
"A sweet story that could be used as a springboard to discussion of the pitfalls of making snap judgments about pets — or people." — School Library Journal
Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet — one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don’t go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought? With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected — and positively fishy — tale about finding the good in something you didn’t know you wanted.
Creators
Kelly Bennett is the author of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, as well as Vampire Baby and Dad and Pop: An Ode to Fathers and Stepfathers, both illustrated by Paul Meisel, among many other books for children. Kelly Bennett divides her time between Westhampton, New York, and Houston, Texas.
Noah Z. Jones is the illustrator of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett, as well as Those Shoes and A Bike Like Sergio’s, both written by Maribeth Boelts. He is also the creator of the animated television series Fish Hooks, Almost Naked Animals, and Pickle and Peanut. Noah Z. Jones lives in Southern California.
This eye-catching book makes a satisfying read-aloud choice for pet day or any day. —Booklist
This emotional turnaround never feels forced or pat, thanks to a strong partnership between Bennett's text and newcomer Jones's artwork. The off-the-cuff yet kidlike prose ideally suits the bright, crisp, digital drawings. —Publishers Weekly
An inventive interpretation of the old adage 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' NOT NORMAN is the perfect book for dog-resistant parents to read to their puppy-worshipping kids-as long as they're willing to take on a new goldfish or two. —Time Out New York Kids
