mehsi's review
5.0
As soon as I saw that Laura Ellen Anderson was illustrating a new book I knew I had to have it!
She just draws such pretty things, and I love her art style so much. <3
But the book also has a wonderful message, and a cute story. About 2 boys, very different, finding out that one can still be best friends even if they don't like the same things. Of course, it does take the addition of an extra character to have this confirmed. :P
At first I wasn't that big of a fan of Big Bob, but I did see he was trying to involve Little Bob with his games. He tried to race him on the swings, he tried to have him catch a ball, and several other things. It was really sweet of him to do that.
Little Bob was very cute, and I loved how he just stuck to doing what he wanted to do. Often boys who play with dolls, or like wearing clothes, change after someone tells them it is not normal. But not Little Bob, oh no, he just goes on with being himself.
I know the book said they would be different, but it was so much fun that they were exact opposites.
Cats and Dogs. Dress up and Playing in the mud. Big and Small. Muddy and Neat.
Maybe what I would love to see was that the roles were reversed. Tough Big Bob playing with dolls, and Little Bob playing with the cars and doing all the rougher things. Now it felt a bit like the standard I always see in books.
The ending was really fun, and also really cute. Go Big Bob, tell her! I was happy with how it all ended, and I am sure these friends will stay friends for a long long time.
I definitely loved this book, and I will re-read it one day again.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
She just draws such pretty things, and I love her art style so much. <3
But the book also has a wonderful message, and a cute story. About 2 boys, very different, finding out that one can still be best friends even if they don't like the same things. Of course, it does take the addition of an extra character to have this confirmed. :P
At first I wasn't that big of a fan of Big Bob, but I did see he was trying to involve Little Bob with his games. He tried to race him on the swings, he tried to have him catch a ball, and several other things. It was really sweet of him to do that.
Little Bob was very cute, and I loved how he just stuck to doing what he wanted to do. Often boys who play with dolls, or like wearing clothes, change after someone tells them it is not normal. But not Little Bob, oh no, he just goes on with being himself.
I know the book said they would be different, but it was so much fun that they were exact opposites.
Cats and Dogs. Dress up and Playing in the mud. Big and Small. Muddy and Neat.
Maybe what I would love to see was that the roles were reversed. Tough Big Bob playing with dolls, and Little Bob playing with the cars and doing all the rougher things. Now it felt a bit like the standard I always see in books.
The ending was really fun, and also really cute. Go Big Bob, tell her! I was happy with how it all ended, and I am sure these friends will stay friends for a long long time.
I definitely loved this book, and I will re-read it one day again.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
alhawk's review
4.0
I like the message- cute story and pictures. However, I felt it was lacking in something, just a bit. I can't put my nose on it.
yapha's review
5.0
Fabulous and realistic story about tolerance and appreciating each others' differences. Highly recommended for K and up!
couillac's review
3.0
A sweet story about gender roles with a positive message. Charming illustrations that really lift the book above a serviceable text, and a message that feels a bit heavy-handed. A suitable contemporary substitute for WILLIAM'S DOLL, but I'd still go back to that gorgeous classic first. Still, this has a lot going for it and should feel a need for stories that directly address what boys and girls "do" and "don't" do.
calistareads's review
5.0
This book focuses on Gender Roles and norms. Big Bob and Little Bob have the same names, but they are very different. They have to learn how to get along. Then a girl moves in and they have to learn to get along too. Basically, you can play with dolls if you like dolls and you don't have too if you don't like dolls, it does not matter if you are a boy or a girl. This is one of the last things James has published I think.
The story is short and sweet with a great little message. I wish there had been more stuff like this in the 80s - there was not. Gender roles were pretty solid back then from media.
The nephew enjoyed this book. He gave it 5 stars. The niece didn't read it. The nephew like Big Bob's way of always knocking down things in the book like a block fort. He laughed.
The art is wonderful. I love the art work. I will keep my eye on Laura.
The story is short and sweet with a great little message. I wish there had been more stuff like this in the 80s - there was not. Gender roles were pretty solid back then from media.
The nephew enjoyed this book. He gave it 5 stars. The niece didn't read it. The nephew like Big Bob's way of always knocking down things in the book like a block fort. He laughed.
The art is wonderful. I love the art work. I will keep my eye on Laura.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Cute story about gender norms and acceptance. Some of the dialogue felt forced.
mandarchy's review
4.0
It's nice to see a picture book that presents the problem of gender specific play. How should children deal with meeting children who have preferences that differ from their norm? This might be a great writing prompt. Students can answer the question, has anyone told you that you cannot play? Why?
tashrow's review against another edition
4.0
When Big Bob moves in next door, Little Bob’s mother is happy that he will have a friend so close by. But the two boys are very different in more than just their size. Big Bob likes to roughhouse, play sports, and zoom trucks around. Little Bob likes to spend time quietly reading, play with dolls, and sometimes wears girl clothes. Big Bob teases him for a lot of these things until a new girl moves into the neighborhood and tells Little Bob that boys don’t play with dolls. Big Bob stands up to her and soon the three of them are playing in whatever way they like best, because both girls and boys can play with whatever they choose.
While the message here can get a little heavy handed at the end, this is an important book. It shows that gender norms are a spectrum, that boys who play with dolls don’t have to be given any additional labels unless they identify in a different way. It also embraces that girls too sometimes prefer playing games or choosing toys that are traditionally masculine. There is a broad acceptance here with children being given the space and time to realize that they were viewing the world through a limiting lens.
Anderson’s illustrations are playful and bright. The neighborhood is quirky and welcoming with plenty of place to play separately and together. The use of wild colors adds to the appeal with trees of tangerine and lemon/lime and garlands of flowers and hearts dangling from them.
A book about accepting differences, learning to get along and finding new friends, this picture book is strong pick for library collections. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
While the message here can get a little heavy handed at the end, this is an important book. It shows that gender norms are a spectrum, that boys who play with dolls don’t have to be given any additional labels unless they identify in a different way. It also embraces that girls too sometimes prefer playing games or choosing toys that are traditionally masculine. There is a broad acceptance here with children being given the space and time to realize that they were viewing the world through a limiting lens.
Anderson’s illustrations are playful and bright. The neighborhood is quirky and welcoming with plenty of place to play separately and together. The use of wild colors adds to the appeal with trees of tangerine and lemon/lime and garlands of flowers and hearts dangling from them.
A book about accepting differences, learning to get along and finding new friends, this picture book is strong pick for library collections. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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