Nobody Notices Minerva

by Wednesday Kirwan

Minerva is being a very naughty girl today. But no one seems to notice?or care?when she pulls out the stuffing from Dad’s favorite chair, peels off the wallpaper, knocks over the milk, and pokes her brother. And not only is everyone ignoring her, but being bad doesn’t even make her feel good! Is there a better way to get a little attention?
A story kids will really relate to (complete with a sly ending) and adorable art?featuring a cute Boston terrier bent on mischief?will make this a toddler favorite. Plus, they’ll realize what Minerva doesn’ that her Mom and Dad really are keeping a loving eye on her the whole time!

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Animals, Childrens, Emotion

29 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Wednesday Kirwan is a children's book illustrator, whose books include Henry's Bright Idea and Owl Love You. She lives in Oakland, California.

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter liked this story. I think more for the caricature of the Boston terrier than perhaps the story. Even though she did get the gist that it is better to be nice and get noticed instead of doing bad things for attention.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves this book because it shows the good behavior gets attention, and bad behavior gets ignored. Thank you to Wednesday for making this book! The illustrations are so very cute!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a big hit at my house. We all dug the message, then we tried to notice each other a bit more. Really funny pictures too.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva, a toddler heroine, is acting very naughty today. And why wouldn't she? It seems that otherwise, nobody notices her.

And, even then, it doesn't seem that anybody in her family notices her.

Sadly, Minerva has so much competition for attention. She lives with:

* Dad
* Mom
* Big brother Francis
* Baby Keely.

DURING A CERTAIN MOMENT OF TRUTH

"Minerva pulled her knees up to her chin.
She'd been rotten all day,
but it didn't make her feel any better.
She felt worse.

And no one noticed that, either."

Author Wednesday Kirwan has sensitively portrayed a preschooler -- and middle child -- having a really bad day. Fortunately the author has also provided excellent illustrations, plus a pair of wise-and-loving parents.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minerva woke up late and in a bad mood, but no one noticed. She did all kinds of pesky things to get noticed, but no one noticed. It wasn't until Minerva started helping around the house without being asked that everyone noticed.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this are LOVELY! Also, I think it’s a great way to have a conversation with kids about positive attention or maybe even make parents more aware that undesirable behavior is often because children aren’t feeling seen.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva feels unnoticed by her family and behaves badly to get attention. She learns that she is seen and becomes helpful.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about being a middle child.

[Jessica Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva is a young girl who feels left out of her family. In order to get noticed by her family members, she starts to act out. She does negative things to try to get noticed by her parents to her siblings. She feels that nobody is noticing her. When she sees that her actions are not working, she hides in the couch cushions. Her father explains to her that maybe she should try to do positive things to try to get the attention she is looking for and when she is ready to try, she can come out of the cushions. This can help children figure out what actions are negative and positive; also, how to express their feelings to adults and understand their emotions and actions better.
In the classroom, we could talk about the difference between negative actions and positive actions. I would show examples of each with my assistant teacher so the children can get their brains turning about the words positive and negative actions. Throughout the year, we will point out examples of such.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if I wasn't a character in this book (that's right, that Keely pup is a character built upon the unrelenting neediness I displayed as a youngest child) I would still love it. Wednesday wrote and painted this book as a Christmas book for our father. Now it is quickly becoming a classic in families all over the country because it is quirky, sweet, and beautifully illustrated. Soon to be available in Audio Book and the sequel will be out next September!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable litte book. Although it's more about behavior, and teach a child how it is important to be noticed for the good things you do rather than the bad things, I used it for a family-themed storytime because I felt it also showed well how children tend to interact with their families. I also love that this book features a family of Boston Terriers. It made my hear melt just looking at the cover.

[Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. About a little girl named Minerva who acts out very poorly to make others notice her. When it's finally pointed out to her that if she were to behave better that she might get more attention, she begins to change her ways and gets the attention she wanted all along. Great way to remind kids that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

[April Scheivelhud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of Minerva trying to get attention from her parents in mischevious ways. They are too busy helping out her siblings. Finally, she learns that it is better to be noticed for doing good things, not bad ones.

[jenna Hudrlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

a nice story about how its better to get noticed for something good than for something bad - which i think is the first time i have read that in any of the books that i have read to caroline.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

behaving badly doesn't bring minerva the attention she craves so she begins to exhibit good behavior and the family responds kindly.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about a grumpy girl that acts out to try and get noticed by her family. But it's only when she is good she gets attention and praise.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minerva just needs some positive attention to counteract the negative attention.

[Katelyn Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Great artwork
* Behavioral issues
* Great for read alouds
* Relatable characters

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wednesday Kirwan's illustration style is cute and expressive, and she captures the mood of her little spitfire perfectly. Grace loved both Minerva books.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overlooked, feeling badly and acting out until her feelings get acknowledge by her father and redirected in helpful ways.

[Lizita · Rating 4 out of 5]

One that will appeal to the middle child, it has a great lesson!

[Prplpckl · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lesson in bad and good ways to get attention.