stephnsketch's review against another edition
5.0
Favorite book as a child, though I actually wasn't a late bloomer. But dang, this book was amazing, even if the art freaked me out a bit.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
snowelf's review against another edition
5.0
I'm completely enthralled by this book. It's endearing, it is funny, and it is motivational and inspiring. I'm really having a hard time letting go of it, since I borrowed it at the library. I was first taken in by the illustrations which are splashing in color and humorously portray by facial expressions Leo's backwardness/awkwardness, father's anxiety/impatience and mother's gentle love and warm confidence in her offspring.
The story tells our children not to worry about not growing up fast enough, because they all will get there on their own time, and it teaches parents to relax and hold back on the motherly worries and the fatherly ambitions. The illustrations are hilarious at times, Leo's skills (or lack thereof) are compared to five very capable animal friends, and while they each do things their own way they admittedly have a big lead on Leo. And while father tries to hide his concern it only keeps growing, while Leo looks ever so baffled and out of place.
The illustrations are credited to two artists: [a:José Aruego|5480|José Aruego|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] who draws and [a:Ariane Dewey|5479|Ariane Dewey|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] who adds the color. I swept up everything I could find with this winning team at the library. This included the mouse series: [b:Whose Mouse Are You?|197438|Whose Mouse Are You?|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172606057s/197438.jpg|1517345], [b:Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?|252602|Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173155878s/252602.jpg|244778] and [b:Come Out and Play, Little Mouse|7406265|Come Out and Play, Little Mouse|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267453625s/7406265.jpg|9317543], but the illustrations in these books, while easily recognizable, are a little more subdued and less playful. The tone of the books is also somewhat cynical and sometimes a little too mean for my taste. The following books however are very much in the spirit of Leo and I would heartily recommend them: [b:Milton The Early Riser|1269316|Milton The Early Riser (Stories To Go!)|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182386427s/1269316.jpg|1258234], [b:Herman the Helper|829396|Herman the Helper|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178739384s/829396.jpg|403503], [b:Owliver|384481|Owliver|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174348621s/384481.jpg|1957174] and [b:Little Louie the Baby Bloomer|414288|Little Louie the Baby Bloomer|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174529808s/414288.jpg|403509].
The story tells our children not to worry about not growing up fast enough, because they all will get there on their own time, and it teaches parents to relax and hold back on the motherly worries and the fatherly ambitions. The illustrations are hilarious at times, Leo's skills (or lack thereof) are compared to five very capable animal friends, and while they each do things their own way they admittedly have a big lead on Leo. And while father tries to hide his concern it only keeps growing, while Leo looks ever so baffled and out of place.
The illustrations are credited to two artists: [a:José Aruego|5480|José Aruego|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] who draws and [a:Ariane Dewey|5479|Ariane Dewey|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] who adds the color. I swept up everything I could find with this winning team at the library. This included the mouse series: [b:Whose Mouse Are You?|197438|Whose Mouse Are You?|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172606057s/197438.jpg|1517345], [b:Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?|252602|Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173155878s/252602.jpg|244778] and [b:Come Out and Play, Little Mouse|7406265|Come Out and Play, Little Mouse|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267453625s/7406265.jpg|9317543], but the illustrations in these books, while easily recognizable, are a little more subdued and less playful. The tone of the books is also somewhat cynical and sometimes a little too mean for my taste. The following books however are very much in the spirit of Leo and I would heartily recommend them: [b:Milton The Early Riser|1269316|Milton The Early Riser (Stories To Go!)|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182386427s/1269316.jpg|1258234], [b:Herman the Helper|829396|Herman the Helper|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178739384s/829396.jpg|403503], [b:Owliver|384481|Owliver|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174348621s/384481.jpg|1957174] and [b:Little Louie the Baby Bloomer|414288|Little Louie the Baby Bloomer|Robert Kraus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174529808s/414288.jpg|403509].
bluenicorn's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't really into this one... I guess it has a positive message- not everyone moves at the same speed, so just be patient; but something felt a little weird about it- and others have written that better than I can. I also don't like the sort of squiggly illustration style.
glowing_embers16's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite picture books as a child. I could totally relate to Leo.
jiffy1066's review against another edition
This one is obviously targeted towards 'late bloomers' but I think it's a worthwhile read for any child.
emiged's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the illustrations in Leo the Late Bloomer! The bright colors, facial expressions, and attention to detail were charming. Great message that kids (and people in general) develop on their own timetable and there's nothing wrong with that.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
katieckb's review against another edition
3.0
This is a cute children’s picture book about Leo the Lion, a little lion who meets his milestones late.