That's Not Normal!

by Mar Pavón, Laure du Faÿ (Illustrator)

The elephant has a very long trunk. With it he helps all his friends, but the hippopotamus always mocks him and "that's not normal!' But what is "normal"? Mar Pavon has published books in English, Italian, French, Dutch, Korean, and Chinese. She has been awarded six prestigious awards at the International Latino Book Awards, the IPPY Awards, and was a three-time winner of the Living Now Awards. Laure Dufay is a French illustrator. She has been published in France, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, and China.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime

44 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2016

About the author

Mar Pavón (Manresa, 16 de septiembre de 1968) es una escritora que cultiva sobre todo la literatura infantil. Tiene publicados numerosos títulos infantiles, muchos de ellos traducidos al inglés, francés, portugués, italiano, alemán, holandés, chino y coreano, entre otros.
Ha sido distinguida con prestigiosos reconocimientos en los EE.UU., algunos de los cuales otorgados por los International Latino Book Awards. Su obra más significativa es Yeray poeta, publicada a raíz del nacimiento de su hijo en 1996. Su personaje más popular es "La gallina Cocorina", creado en colaboración con la ilustradora Mónica Carretero y que ha resultado ganador en varios premios y reconocimientos.

Mar Pavón (Manresa, Spain, 1968) is a writer mainly dedicated to children's literature. Some of her extensive work is translated into English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, Chinese and Korean, among other languages.
She has been honored with prestigious awards in the US, some of which were presented by the International Latino Book Awards. Her most significant work is Yeray Poeta, published following the birth of her son in 1996. Her most popular character is “Clucky the Hen”, created in collaboration with the illustrator Mónica Carretero, winner of several awards and recognitions.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elephant's extremely long trunk often comes in handy in this charming picture-book, as he uses it to bathe his son and to aid his neighbors. Whether providing impromptu stairs for the elderly Monkey or helping Zebra to wash his stripes, Elephant is always ready and willing to help out. The only one of his neighbors who doesn't appreciate his generosity is Hippopotamus, who makes himself obnoxious by constantly making fun of Elephant's trunk, claiming that such a long appendage is not normal. But when Baby Hippo, himself the possessor of an 'abnormal' skill, finds himself in danger from crocodiles, Elephant's trunk saves the day, thereby teaching Hippopotamus an important lesson about judging others for being different.

Originally published in Spain as ¡Eso no es normal!, and made available in this English edition by the Spanish publisher NubeOcho, That's Not Normal! is a teaching tale, intended to highlight the importance of tolerance, and the value - both ethical and utilitarian - of embracing our differences. Although I did find the delivery of the message here a little heavy-handed - young children are capable of grasping the idea from the story alone, without the narrator telling them that Hippopotamus learned his lesson - I think there was enough of a sense of humor to keep readers and listeners entertained, as well as enough narrative excitement, with the race to rescue Baby Hippo, to keep them involved. The artwork, moreover, is absolutely delightful - I loved Laure du Faÿ's use of color, and her depictions of the many uses to which Elephant put his trunk - and adds to the pleasure of reading. With the proviso that those who dislike didactic tales should give it a miss, I would recommend That's Not Normal! to anyone looking for children's stories that address issues of difference and how we should respond to it.

[Mehsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Een paar grappige momenten, maar ik vond dat hele: Niet Normaal Gewoon! dat telkens voorbij kwam enorm ergelijk.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out whimsical & unique with simple prose, but then leaned into “oh crap, children’s books need a moral” really hard & lost its way.

[Amy!]

This book is fucking weird.

[Caedlib Vrazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrating differences and forgiving those slow to do so.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

El elefante tiene una nariz anormalmente larga, pero a nadie realmente le importa ... excepto al hipopótamo. El elefante usa su nariz larga para ayudar a los otros animales, pero Hippo sigue recordando a todos que la nariz de elefante "no es normal". Un día, el bebe hipopótamo va caminando hacia el lago, y los animales se apresuran a salvar a Baby Hippo de los cocodrilos del lago. ¿Hay alguna forma en que la nariz larga de elefante pueda ayudar? ¿Dejará Hippo alguna vez de burlarse de Elefante por su nariz larga?

¡Me encantó este dulce libro! Tiene mensajes tan positivos de aceptación y amor. Incluso si alguien es diferente o "anormal", merece nuestro respeto y amabilidad. Y nunca se sabe, es posible que algún día necesite su ayuda.

Me impresionaron especialmente los mensajes positivos de perdón de Elefante. Nunca intenta tomar represalias o vengarse de Hippo. Es una historia tan simple, ¡pero este libro tiene un mensaje poderoso!

Y además, ¡la historia es tremendamente divertida! Me encantó ver las diferentes formas en que Elefante ayuda a los otros animales. ¡Es realmente interesante e imaginativo!

¡Me encanta el lindo estilo artístico! Todos los personajes de animales son tan adorables. Las ilustraciones están dibujadas en este estilo de crayón difuso con colores brillantes. ¡Cada página es tan atractiva! Me encanta el paisaje de la sabana africana en el fondo de cada página.


Descargo de responsabilidad: Recibí una copia de este libro del editor a cambio de una revisión gratuita y honesta. Todas las opiniones expresadas aquí son mis propios pensamientos verdaderos y no están influenciadas por nadie.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elephant has an abnormally long nose, but no one really minds... except Hippo. Elephant uses his long nose to help the other animals, but Hippo keeps reminding everyone that Elephant's nose is "not normal." One day Baby Hippo goes wandering toward the lake, and the animals rush to save Baby Hippo from the lake crocodiles. Is there a way that Elephant's long nose could help? Will Hippo ever stop teasing Elephant about his long nose?

I loved this sweet book! It has such positive messages of acceptance and love. Even if someone is different or "abnormal", they deserve our respect and kindness. And you never know, someday you might need their help.

I was especially impressed with the positive messages of forgiveness from Elephant himself. He never tries to retaliate or get revenge on Hippo. It's such a simple story, but this book has a powerful message!

And in addition, the story is hilariously funny! I loved seeing all the different ways that Elephant helps the other animals. It's really interesting and imaginative!

I love the cute art style! All the animal characters are so adorable. The illustrations are drawn in this fuzzy crayon style with bright colors. Every page is so attractive! I love the African savannah scenery in the background of each page.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's troubling how often we bandy around the term "normal" with little thought as to how to who or what determines what is the norm. In this charming and lesson-filled picture book from Portugal, an elephant has an extraordinarily long trunk, which he makes great use of in helping his animal friends. They appreciate his help and never make fun of him, but on each of the first six right-hand pages, Hippopotamus keeps making the same old remark about Elephant: "That's not normal." He never seems able to live and let live or allow Elephant to be himself. But when his offspring, Baby Hippo, follows a grasshopper into the lake where several crocodiles lie in wait, that long trunk comes in handy. Elephant saves the youngster's life, and Hippopotamus owes a huge debt of gratitude--and an apology for being so judgmental--to Elephant. Youngsters will get a kick out of all the things Elephant can do as shown in the colorful illustrations while also learning an important truth about judging others without truly knowing them. Maybe, just maybe, reading this book will help them remove that phrase ["That's not normal."] from their vocabulary.

[Arnela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art, it's really simply, but it feels nostalgic to me.

Basically we have a story of an elephant with a really long trunk, longer than normal, so he's pretty different yanno. And most of the animals don't mind, like psh whatever man. But Hippo minds, he doesn't like that elephants trunk is so long, that's not normal, and he keeps complaining about that [he's very judgy and mean].

It's a story where someone [Person A] dislikes someone [person B] for being different, until that difference ends up helping or saving them [Person A]. While I love the main idea we're trying to push, don't judge people for being different [be tolerant], I don't like that a lot of kids books seem to fix this by having Person A's mind change by being helped/saved by the thing that makes someone different. I know it's the easiest way to show change [especially for young kids] but I just feel we can find a better way to do it.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elephant puts his abnormally long trunk to good use, often in helping his animal friends. A good message about the relativity of "normal" that would benefit from a stronger narrative. Originally published in Spain.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out cute, but it's a weak story for such an important intended message. Also not a fan of the not normal being useful as a counter to the bullying. For the simplicity and intended age group, that's potentially setting a really bad precedent.

[Jeanine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Topics: Being different but still kind. Learning to value the differences we have.

Not the best story, but it was fine. Not sure why this book was so hyped that all the copies were on hold for ages at my library.

[MaryAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential. The illustrations are great. But I would like to see a message that we should accept others on their own merits. People don't need to use their "not normal"-ness like a superpower to be accepted and valued.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book itself is high quality and adorable. I love the illustrations. The premise of the story is good - bullying is bad, what is "normal"? - but it's told in a silly way.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

El elefante tenía una trompa muy larga. 🐘

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[rsfd · Rating 4 out of 5]

rhino makes fun of elephant

[M Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder to help others and not worry so much about being perceived as normal.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The silly story here is fine, but the illustrations are lots of fun. I can't wait to see what else this illustrator comes out with.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Niki Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like nubeocho's books, because their graphics are amazing, but they lay it on a little too thick for me. And I agree with the message! Not making fun of people/animals because they don't fit a perceived definition of normal is how I want the world to work all the time! But it felt obvious and heavy-handed to me.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many books coming out now emphasize the need to value each other's differences. You really have to execute flawlessly to stand out in that crowd. This book didn't, for me. I thought the story and wording were clunky and it offered nothing new to the huge crowd of books already offering that same message.

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

age 4-6

This story is the classic bullying turned nice when the character realizes that being different isn't all bad. It's an OK read, but I don't especially love illustrating bullying just to prove a point. I thought Hippo was unnecessarily cruel. Maybe I'm just sensitive.

http://www.momsradius.com/2016/12/cyb...

[Jim Erekson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable sermon with the typically unfair setup of a too-easy villain. Why did this warrant translation and republication? The pictures don't add to the narrative in complementary or counterpoint relationships.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story may not be the most original (animal teased for something "weird" ends up saving the day), but I loved the illustrations. I also liked that, more often than not, the elephant was using his trunk to help others out. He was kind all throughout the book, and that made me happy.