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Normal Norman
What is "normal?" That's the question an eager young scientist, narrating her very first book, hopes to answer. Unfortunately, her exceedingly "normal" subject—an orangutan named Norman—turns out to be exceptionally strange. He speaks English, sleeps in a bed, loves his stuffed toy, goes bananas over pizza, and even deep-sea dives! Oh, no: what's a "normal" scientist to do?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lazar
18 books324 followersStreet magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes stories for children featuring quirky characters and hilarious happenings. Tara writes the 7 ATE 9 series of picture books from Little Brown, illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Her next book is BLOOP, about an alien who comes to conquer earth but thinks the dogs are in charge! Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and an adopted stray cat named Phoebe who thinks she is in charge of the planet. Visit Tara online to read about all her books at taralazar.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
December 28, 2015
Hilarious and so clever!
February 29, 2016
Of course Norman is the main character and he is aptly brought to delicious life by the illustrator who has used the un-normal coloration of blueish-purple and golds to help Norman in his un-normal way to stand out.
I love the little girl scientist who is a first-time book narrator and "scientist" who is trying to define normal in her book. She is unidentified and is only, "I." (But let's get a shout-out and an encouraging nod to all the little girl would-be scientists and encourage the little girls to pursue the fields of STEM: Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics.)
"I" our narrator is being graded by the head scientist who is an adult male with a beard . And in the end he gives "I" a passing grade because she recognizes that normal cannot be defined. Our little girl scientist goes about observing, recording, and drawing conclusions as she tries to define Normal Norman. (All a part of the scientific process.)
Using this book, a teacher or parent can encourage children to recognize that which is normal to one individual or community might not be normal to another and that we are each valued individuals.
This is a charmingly engaging book with the illustrator using bold black lines and strong pastels for the art work. (Well, using pastels and strong in the same sentence seems to be un-normal, doesn't it?) I love the little girl. I love the big, lumbering gorilla in his purplish colors hugging his favorite stuffed critter. And I love the way the author encourages us to embrace the ordinary, the regular, the common everyday people and critters around us.
DISCLOSURE: Information and images reprinted with permission from Normal Norman © 2016 by Tara Lazar, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations © 2016 by Stephan Britt. I was provided a copy by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for the review.
I love the little girl scientist who is a first-time book narrator and "scientist" who is trying to define normal in her book. She is unidentified and is only, "I." (But let's get a shout-out and an encouraging nod to all the little girl would-be scientists and encourage the little girls to pursue the fields of STEM: Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics.)
"I" our narrator is being graded by the head scientist who is an adult male with a beard . And in the end he gives "I" a passing grade because she recognizes that normal cannot be defined. Our little girl scientist goes about observing, recording, and drawing conclusions as she tries to define Normal Norman. (All a part of the scientific process.)
Using this book, a teacher or parent can encourage children to recognize that which is normal to one individual or community might not be normal to another and that we are each valued individuals.
This is a charmingly engaging book with the illustrator using bold black lines and strong pastels for the art work. (Well, using pastels and strong in the same sentence seems to be un-normal, doesn't it?) I love the little girl. I love the big, lumbering gorilla in his purplish colors hugging his favorite stuffed critter. And I love the way the author encourages us to embrace the ordinary, the regular, the common everyday people and critters around us.
DISCLOSURE: Information and images reprinted with permission from Normal Norman © 2016 by Tara Lazar, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations © 2016 by Stephan Britt. I was provided a copy by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for the review.
November 28, 2019
A young Junior Scientist is eager to give her presentation on the idea of normalcy, but Norman, her orangutan subject, proves less than cooperative. From eating pizza to sleeping with a stuffed toy aardvark, he just doesn't seem to fit the mold, when it comes to what is expected of a member of his species. The young scientist becomes more and more distressed, as her presentation tanks before her eyes, but eventually she learns that normalcy is a fluid concept... something her teacher intended for her to discover all along!
An entertaining meta-fictional picture-book, Normal Norman presents its central idea - that normalcy is a variable concept, depending upon who and what is involved - while also providing an entertaining tale. With the different voices and perspectives, and the back-and-forth exchanges between the girl and Norman, this would make an excellent read-aloud selection. The artwork by S. britt is colorful and engaging, capturing the humorous tone of the tale quite well. Recommended to anyone looking for more meta-fictional picture-books, in which the characters are aware of their roles in the book, and to those looking for children's stories about the idea of normalcy.
An entertaining meta-fictional picture-book, Normal Norman presents its central idea - that normalcy is a variable concept, depending upon who and what is involved - while also providing an entertaining tale. With the different voices and perspectives, and the back-and-forth exchanges between the girl and Norman, this would make an excellent read-aloud selection. The artwork by S. britt is colorful and engaging, capturing the humorous tone of the tale quite well. Recommended to anyone looking for more meta-fictional picture-books, in which the characters are aware of their roles in the book, and to those looking for children's stories about the idea of normalcy.
November 7, 2022
A common theme, but exceptionally successful imo. It cuts to the chase, instead of pussyfooting around describing how some unfortunate feels like they don't fit in. The point here is that *nobody* is "normal." And that's a good thing. More than Mr. Rogers saying that everyone is special, this humorous Metafictional gem reveals that life is more fun when we pursue our individual passions, whether science, dance, sports... explore them all while young, and choose the one(s) that resonate the most deeply.
February 7, 2017
A little cheesy in its execution, with some bumps along the way that make storytime crowd a bit less appealing. But a lap-read would be OK, and a read-alone pretty good. There may have been some strong attempts at a lesson near the end that didn't work as well for me, yet I let it all go because the whole book (and that ending) are based on one of my all-time favorite quotes: "What is normal in this human world?" -Mr. DeLong, 8th grade science teacher. Some humor for me in Norman's reactions and comments.
February 7, 2018
“Normal Norman” is a Beehive Book Award Nominee at my friendly neighborhood library, and rightfully so! “Normal Norman” is a fun, well written PB about what it means to be normal. I especially love the end, but I won’t give it away...
Read
March 11, 2016We go about our days expecting certain things to stay true to a pattern. When they deviate, depending on the size of the difference, our reactions will vary accordingly. As an educator standing in the hallway each morning as the buses unload and students walk down the halls to lockers and classrooms, most of the gals and guys will be carrying a backpack and wearing clothing in keeping with the current weather, particular season, the latest fad and the dress code.
There is nothing quite so fine as seeing one student who stands out in the crowd looking like they are ready for spirit week when it's months away or has already passed. Their courage in expressing their individuality is a cause for cheering. That I smile at them in admiration is a given. Inside I am dancing with glee.
In Normal Norman (Sterling Children's Books, March 1, 2016) written by Tara Lazar with illustrations by S. Britt an orangutan is the object of intense scrutiny by a junior scientist, who also happens to be the narrator of the story. She is in pursuit of a theory. Step by meticulous step she is determined to complete her task.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
There is nothing quite so fine as seeing one student who stands out in the crowd looking like they are ready for spirit week when it's months away or has already passed. Their courage in expressing their individuality is a cause for cheering. That I smile at them in admiration is a given. Inside I am dancing with glee.
In Normal Norman (Sterling Children's Books, March 1, 2016) written by Tara Lazar with illustrations by S. Britt an orangutan is the object of intense scrutiny by a junior scientist, who also happens to be the narrator of the story. She is in pursuit of a theory. Step by meticulous step she is determined to complete her task.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
March 4, 2016
Okay parents and teachers, this is one book you do not, I mean, DO NOT want to miss. Jam-packed with science, fun facts and a friendship that is more "normal" than you would think it would be, Normal Norman has it all! But what is the definition of normal? Is there really one?
Author Tara Lazar, who I am more than honored to call my friend and a guest on KidLit TV's StoryMakers, has done it again with her marvelous picture book voice that is real, to the point and tells the reader a story that is not only relatable, but fun, mischievous and filled with love. The definition of normal is up to the reader to define, and this book embraces all the possibilities of what normal can truly be. Kids will love it. Parents will want to read it over and over again. It's the perfect gift for all ages, because we all have a bit of Normal Norman in all of us!
Author Tara Lazar, who I am more than honored to call my friend and a guest on KidLit TV's StoryMakers, has done it again with her marvelous picture book voice that is real, to the point and tells the reader a story that is not only relatable, but fun, mischievous and filled with love. The definition of normal is up to the reader to define, and this book embraces all the possibilities of what normal can truly be. Kids will love it. Parents will want to read it over and over again. It's the perfect gift for all ages, because we all have a bit of Normal Norman in all of us!
March 8, 2016
Young children will quickly understand that most anything is normal; it all depends on the individual’s likes and dislikes. While that is simplistic, for young children this definition of normal works. The bigger message for young children would be self-acceptance. In short: Be yourself, like yourself, and accept the same for others. Our individuality—our normal—is what makes each of us shine.
To Read the Full Review and View Interior Spreads, Go To: http://bit.ly/NormalNorman
To Read the Full Review and View Interior Spreads, Go To: http://bit.ly/NormalNorman
March 3, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this not-so-normal book! The illustrations complimented the story, and I love the retro feel. My ten year-old son especially liked that Norman has his own stuffed animal. The mix of text and dialog made it an entertaining book to read aloud. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more from Norman!
February 8, 2016
In this colorful children's book a young girl attempts to define normal using an ape named Norman. All her expectations are trashed as Norman does many unusual things and believes that so-called normal is weird. This delightful review copy was provided through Goodreads.com. The only drawback of my copy was that it was unbound.
March 15, 2016
Definitely not normal. Extraordinary!
February 6, 2016
I won this book via a goodreads giveaway. I thought it was great and my kids loved it as well.
February 3, 2019
Cybils nominee for best fiction picture book. More later.
April 25, 2021
Normal Norman is not normal book.
The unnamed narrator of this book is a young girl who is assigned to define the word, “Normal.” In order to do this, she has a team of scientists find the most average animal on earth, which turns out to be a purple orangutan.
There is a saying in medicine that the definition of a normal person is someone who hasn’t been tested enough. In other words, if you run enough tests on someone, you are bound to find something out of the so-called normal range. It doesn’t take very long for the junior scientist narrator of this book to start finding things out of the normal range in Norman. In fact, after doing some anatomical measurements, everything she finds out about Norman subsequently is not normal. He doesn’t eat, speak or act like a normal orangutan. Never mind that he doesn’t look like a normal orangutan, as he is clearly purple. What does this say about the dedicated team of scientists who selected Norman because he was found to be the most average animal on earth? Maybe they are not normal scientists either. The narrator should have examined them first.
The unnamed narrator of this book is a young girl who is assigned to define the word, “Normal.” In order to do this, she has a team of scientists find the most average animal on earth, which turns out to be a purple orangutan.
There is a saying in medicine that the definition of a normal person is someone who hasn’t been tested enough. In other words, if you run enough tests on someone, you are bound to find something out of the so-called normal range. It doesn’t take very long for the junior scientist narrator of this book to start finding things out of the normal range in Norman. In fact, after doing some anatomical measurements, everything she finds out about Norman subsequently is not normal. He doesn’t eat, speak or act like a normal orangutan. Never mind that he doesn’t look like a normal orangutan, as he is clearly purple. What does this say about the dedicated team of scientists who selected Norman because he was found to be the most average animal on earth? Maybe they are not normal scientists either. The narrator should have examined them first.
April 19, 2018
Lazar's dedication at the beginning of the book sums it up perfectly: "To everyone who feels like they don't fit in. Stay different. You're unique and special."
In this day and age of shaming and bullying, "Norman" is an important book for parents, caretakers, and educators to share with young readers.
And though the lessons she imparts are valuable, Lazar eschews being didactic and delivers her message with ease. Her silly and whimsical text is complemented perfectly by Britt's colorful and zany illustrations.
A great read for kids and adults alike.
In this day and age of shaming and bullying, "Norman" is an important book for parents, caretakers, and educators to share with young readers.
And though the lessons she imparts are valuable, Lazar eschews being didactic and delivers her message with ease. Her silly and whimsical text is complemented perfectly by Britt's colorful and zany illustrations.
A great read for kids and adults alike.
January 30, 2023
Junior Scientist needs to narrate a book about "normal." Unfortunately, she has selected a Orangutan who likes to eat pizza, rescue bananas, and speak English. Her attempts to coax him down from his bunk bed and into a normal pile of leaves only lets more abnormal leak out. But Norman's escape with a jet pack ruins her presentation. She learns being normal really means being your normal self, even if that's unexpected.
February 27, 2017
This was a cute story, one that addresses the idea that being normal is only a state of mind, and that it is anyone's guess what normal will be. Norman is supposed to be an example of what it means to be normal, but at every chance he demonstrates just how unique he is. Great for younger readers. Fun and easily understood.
October 15, 2017
Interesting idea to show that "normal" is a relative term and not easily defined--Norman the orangutan is anything but what you would expect. The word actually did begin to lose all meaning by the end of the book...but I wonder if kids will understand how this relates to the differences between people.
December 13, 2017
What is "normal?" That's the question an eager young scientist, narrating her very first book, hopes to answer. Unfortunately, her exceedingly "normal" subject—an orangutan named Norman—turns out to be exceptionally strange. He speaks English, sleeps in a bed, loves his stuffed toy, goes bananas over pizza, and even deep-sea dives! Oh, no: what's a "normal" scientist to do?
October 30, 2021
Fantastic, funny, and a beautiful story too. When a young scientist sets out to study "normal," she finds that her subject may not fit her expectations. I picked this one up at the library after hearing it recommended a couple different places, and it did not disappoint. I highly recommend checking it out!
October 31, 2021
Tara Lazar always makes me laugh with her clever stories but this one is especially fabulous! It will make you laugh and think...how do you define normal? It's about a little girl scientist giving a presentation on normal but her orangutan subject is anything but normal. You can't go wrong with Tara Lazar!
January 6, 2023
A young scientist attempts to demonstrate what a normal Orangutan looks and acts like. But "Normal Norman" doesn't quite fit the scientists definition of normal. Eventually the characters realize that normal cannot be defined. One person's normal is another person's abnormal.
A bit long for storytime but will humor school age children in one-on-one reading.
A bit long for storytime but will humor school age children in one-on-one reading.
November 5, 2019
It didn't take long for my kids to boo the narrator of this book. Right away they didn't like that she was uncomfortable with Norman being himself. Besides, who wants to be normal? What is normal anyway??!
May 10, 2021
Norman, who is supposed to be a purple orangutan looks decidedly like a gorilla. This was distracting. as were the regular text and word bubbles and labels all over the pages. I did like the message the book was offering. Overall, cute but confusing.
May 16, 2022
What a hilarious, unexpected story!!! As each page turned, I was unsure of what to except next and I loved every minute of it! The premise and execution were as UNIQUE as can be. I can't wait to read this to my daughter! Definitely marking this one down for purchase!
May 17, 2017
This was a fun and creative story. My kids love seeing the little girl who is a scientist trying to make her presentation. They also find Norman to be extremely funny and silly.
May 18, 2017
4.25 Stars This was great!! It got a real LOL out of me!! I love the humor, the pictures and the giggles!
July 27, 2017
This was an okay book, not my fav.
August 18, 2017
I think kids will enjoy the humor, and I appreciated the message to go ahead and just be your normal self.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews