Totally Uncool

by Janice Levy, Chris Monroe (Illustrator)

Simplified Chinese edition of Totally Uncool (Carolrhoda Picture Books) by Janice Levy. The story addresses the subject of single father and his "new girlfriend" and how a young child can learn about a new relationship. In Simplified Chinese. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Megan Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally Uncool is about a young girl named Alex who is having trouble accepting her father's new girlfriend, whom he calls Sweet Potato. Throughout the story, Alex describes all the ways in which Sweet Potato is "totally uncool" (Ex: She speaks Spanish to her neighbors, Japanese to her plants, and mish-mosh to Alex, and her hair looks like a porcupine!) Towards the end of the story, Alex begins to appreciate Sweet Potato. She recognizes all the reasons that she likes Sweet Potato. Sweet Potato doesn't mind when Alex makes a mess, and when Alex is mad Sweet Potato does not pester her. The story ends with Alex having a hopeful outlook on her relationship with the girlfriend. Janice Levy wrote on her website that she does not write about herself or anyone she knows. For not having an experience like her character's, Levy did an excellent job in portraying a child's discomfort with a parent's new partner. So many children come from divorced and single homes, and I would use this book to address the mixed emotions my students may have about their parents' dating. It is a fun, silly, hopeful, and relatable story.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This is a great book about Dad's Girlfriend. No one like the women in their dads life. I doesn't say if mom is dead or mom and dad are divorced or whatever, it just talks about dad's girlfriend.


She isn't sure about the girlfriend and refers to her as "Sweet Potato" because that is what her dad calls her. She is a little strange. She talks to plants, and eats everything green. She doesn't play sports or go ice skating.

But all in all this girlfriend sounds awesome for this little girl. They talk, she cheers the loudest at her sporting events and school plays...she is trying to be a good friend to her boyfriends daughter as well as to her boyfriend.

At the end we find out that Sweet Potato is Elizabeth and that she has lasted longer than the other girlfriends has...so there is "hope for her yet!"

[Andrew Stockle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally Uncool is a book about a young girl who father gets a new girlfriend. The first half of the book takes the reader through all of the reasons why the father’s new girlfriend, “sweet potato”, is “Totally uncool”. For example, she eats only food that is green. The book, however, takes a turn and the girl realizes that “sweet potato” really isn’t that bad. She is kind, doesn’t yell and supports the young girl in her life. The illustrations are creative, almost as if they were drawn with a crayon which is very unique and enjoyable. This book would be appropriate for first through fourth grade. It teaches a good message and shows that it is ok to like and accept a new parent, that they may not be as bad as one might think. I would use this book if I could sense that some of my students were struggling at home and might incorporate it into a lesson to teach about parents.

[Taylor Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Totally Uncool is made in a portrait orientation. The illustrations usually just take up one page, but there are times when the one image will be spread across two pages, or when multiple images will be placed on one single page. Most of the images do not have a border, but the pages that do have borders are not straight, they are almost like a kid colored outside the lines, which I think makes the book more inviting. The colors that are used are very bright and vibrant. The font that is used is the same one throughout the whole book. The text is either placed at the top or the bottom of each page.

[Kathryn Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that children with divorced or separated parents can read. Some children may have a hard time if their parents are seeing other people and this book can help children get closure.

[Jade Ralston]

This was interesting. My topic is single fathers, but this shows how a single father is dating. It shows what the child is thinking. I like this because this is a real life situation. The pictures are bright and colorful. I think this book would be good to have in a classroom.

[Moushumi Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking picture book. I could see the growth of the central character from finding fault with to acceptance. It's a heart-warming book based on the contemporary world.

[Kay Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children loved this - especially bright Year 2's. Story about dad having a new gf.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl comes to terms with her Dad's new girlfriend--at first seeing only her "uncool" qualities, but then gradually realizing how helpful and kind she is, as well.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the story was OK, I really disliked the illustrations.