Bob, Not Bob!

by Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, Matthew Cordell (Illustrator)

Little Louie is stuck in bed with a bad cold. His nose is clogged, his ears are crackling, and his brain feels full. All he wants is his mom to take care of him, but whenever he calls out for her, his stuffed-up nose summons slobbery dog Bob instead! As Louie tries and tries to make himself understood in this funny picturebook, kids will love calling out with him, "Bob, not Bob!"

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Dogs, Illness

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2017

About the author

Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including the highly-acclaimed, Caldecott-honored picture book All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, two novels for middle grade readers, and an upcoming chapter book series. Her many other picture books include the ones she's co-authored with Audrey Vernick, like Bob, Not Bob and World's Best Class Plant. Ms. Scanlon is also a poet, a teacher and a frequent & popular presenter at schools, libraries and conferences. She serves on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another "just okay" picture book involving Cordell's work; there's probably a theme here...

No really, this was a cute enough picture book and I enjoyed the ending, but it's not the type of title I can see adding to my home collection, and my son didn't seem to care for it much at all.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the flu last week, complete with the aches and chills, the coughing and congestion and the damned stuffed-but-running nose. It sucked. I hated it.
Today, this book came across my desk and my empathy level for poor, sick Little Louie (who isn't actually all that little) skyrocketed due to recent experiences of my own. Awww, Louie, ya little angelbabysweetheart.

Little Louie, who is not so little, gets sick and goes into mancold territory but it's ok because he's still a kid and it's hard not to feel so puny and small when you're a sick child. He totally gets a pass.
The problem is, though, he needs his mom and can't say "mom" because of his stuffy nose. His slobbery and affectionate dog, Bob, is excitedly eager to come a-cuddling every time Little Louie, who is even littler than usual, calls out, "BOB!"
Confusion abounds, snot rags are everywhere, Bob the dog is at his wit's end and all Louie wants is the comfort of his beleaguered mother, his bob. No, not Bob! Bob!
She's welcome to come over to my place for a glass of wine or, better, a hot toddy to keep those germs at bay, if she wants. I feel for the woman.

If you read this aloud, you'll get to read with a stuffed-up nose and it will probably make kids giggle and you feel like sneezing. But it's fun! Fun, I say!

I'm pretty sure THIS is the epilogue to this story.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor stuffed up Louie. He wants his mom. But every time he calls for her, his dog Bob comes running instead. Because, you know, when you're stuffed up, Mom sounds like Bob.

I have come to the conclusion that Audrey Vernick writes the best picture books ever. No contest. And this collaboration with Liz Garton Scanlon is no different.

[Paul Orsino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Louie isn’t so little that he needs his mom every minute of every day. But there are few things that make us all whimper and call for our mommies

quite like a bad cold. When Little Louie wakes up with an unbearably clogged nose, crackling ears, and gunked up eyes, he feels way more little than usual. All he wants is his mom, but whenever he calls for her, his faithful (and slobbery) dog, Bob comes running.

“Bob, Not Bob!” is absolutely hysterical. Students will empathize with Little Louie and his wicked cold, Parents will empathize with Louie’s mother, and everyone will laugh out-loud at poor, slobbering, misunderstanding Bob.

Prepare your best stuffy-nosed-accent and get ready to read this story over and over again.

Cordell sets the scene in beautiful ink and watercolor as Scanlon and Vernick deliver the relatable, heartfelt, and witty words of this story. I can certainly say that “Bob, Not Bob!” is the most fun you can have with a cold.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Little Louie gets sick, all he wants is his mother. Unfortunately, he's so stuffed up that he can't seem to get the word 'Mom' out right, coming up with 'Bob' - the name of his dog - instead. His growing frustration at his inability to communicate is mirrored by the confusion of those around him, as he continually declares that he wants "Bob, Not Bob!"

Anyone who's ever had a head cold can empathize with Louie's situation, as he struggles to make himself understood. Children, in particular, will find this story amusing, and I would imagine that with Louie's "head cold" voice, it would make for an excellent read-aloud. The artwork by Matthew Cordell is appealing, in a scratchy, cartoon-like style that puts me in mind of Quentin Blake a little bit. Cordell also illustrated co-author Audrey Vernick's First Grade Dropout , and his style seems suited to her humorous stories. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books that address the theme of illness with humor.

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make a fun read aloud!

[Colona Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great picture for kids, especially kids who have colds. The book starts out with Little Louis getting a head cold. When he gets sick, he wants his mom. Who doesn't right? Well, Little Louie was stuffed up, so everything that he said came out different. He yelled for his Mom, but it sounded like Bob instead. Guess what his dog's name is? Yep. Bob. So every time Little Louie called for his Mom, Bob the dog came instead. Everyone was mixed up. Eventually he gets better, and at the end the Mother sneezes.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Louie is sick. Very sick. Gross stuff in his nose and everything. And all he wants is his Mom. But she's very busy, so he has to call for her. A lot.

Jeremiah loves having me read to him, but very rarely does a book make him laugh out loud. He'll ask 100 questions, but full out laughing? 1 in 100.

This book?

Had him DYING. Not only that, but then today, he kept saying, "Bob! Not Bob! Bob!"

And demanded we read it again tonight.

That full belly laugh? Always earns 5 stars.

[Rachel Goit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Louie isn't super little... But a cold makes him feel that way. Poor Louie. He has an awfully stuffed up nose among other issues. So it makes sense that he would want a little help from his mom. However, his cold makes it quite hard to call for his mom, as it sounds like he is calling for his very active (and slobbering) dog, Bob. Join Louie as he fights away this cold in a hilarious story for all kids.

[Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Bob, Not Bob
Author: Liz Scanlon and Audrey Vernick
Lexile Level: AD500
Pages: 39
Recommendations and Comments: Little Louie has an awful cold. All he wants is his mom. But MOM comes out like BOB the name of his dog! Little Louie is very frustrated and his dog Bob is very confused. A story about how even bigger kids need their mom too. This book must be read as though you have a stuffy nose!
Stars: 5 out of 5
Reviewed by: Jamie Guardi

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen this book knocking around my library and was always put off by the illustrations. But this week, I read it to a group of first graders. It was every bit as fun for me to read out loud as it was for them to listen to it. They were cracking up the whole time.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a stuffed up nose, it's hard to tell if Little Louie wants Mom or Bob, his dog. Nice representation of how it feels to be sick, lots of laughs for misunderstood words, and a lovable Bob. (Or is that Bob?)

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I smiled all the way through and I'll wager little kids, big kids, and grown-up kids will smile when they read it, too!

[Mary-Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very entertaining read-aloud. Some practice may be required!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you pinch your nose and read this book you get the authentic reading voice AND it makes reading 10x more fun. Give it a shot.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd bet this would have a class of kids laughing, especially if "read as though you have the worst cold ever" to them. Funny, and something we can all relate to I'm sure.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the parent, teacher or librarian who loves a good read aloud that can only be done with "the voices" - this is your book. A boy with a cold in his head calls for his mom but it sounds like "Bob" and of course his dog, Bob comes running instead. Hilarious situations will tickle reader and listener alike in Bob, Not Bob! by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with pictures by Mathhew Cordell. For ages 3 - 7.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE. What a great idea for a children's book - read this with my 4 year-old and she was smiling from start to finish!

[Dawn Moynihan]

"Bob, not Bob!" is about Little Louie who has gotten a very bad cold. What happens when you get a cold? [children respond] I get a stuffy nose. And when I get a stuffy nose, I talk funny. Does that happen to you? [children respond] That's what has happened to Louie and it causes him all kinds of trouble. Let's find out.

Opening moves:
Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences.
Share a personal connection I have.
Provide important background information.
Lay the groundwork for helping children understand the theme.
Raise questions to spark curiosity.
Foreshadow the problem of the story.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be the perfect book to use to practice fluency with expression! I know kids are going to love doing their best "sick with a cold" voice with this one!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awful cold can cause chaos, especially if you have a dog named Bob. Little Louie is big enough that he doesn’t need his mother all the time, but when he gets sick he needs her quite a bit more. As his cold grows, his congestion makes him talk differently. So when he calls for his Mom, it comes out as “Bob.” Unfortunately though, when he calls “Bob” his dog comes running. As his cold gets worse, he only wants his mom near him, confusing his sister with confusing sentences and continuing to call his dog accidentally. Luckily though, his mom knows just what he needs.

This book is seriously fun to read aloud. The cover instructs you to read it “as though you have the worst cold ever.” And it’s a delight. The phrases that seem confusing on the page pop into sense when read aloud. The book also delights by having a child who wants his mom around him when he’s not feeling well and who also manages to confuse everyone about what he actually wants and needs. The result of the confusion though is lovely motherly warmth and attention, so actually everyone gets exactly what they need.

Cordell’s illustrations add to the zingy energy of the book. He takes the confusing language that Louie uses and creates large words with them that show those reading aloud exactly what to say in that wonderful congested voice. The family shown are people of color, giving a nice touch of diversity to the book. Add in the huge dog that bounds on the page and you have pure joy on the page.

Perfect for anyone home sick in bed, this picture book will please any kid who has a terrible cold or a great sense of humor. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!! Especially as I have a cold and stuffy nose while reading this so no special effort was needed! Little Louie is a very needy patient in a way everyone will recognize. Kids AND their Moms and Dads will laugh out loud at this. Matthew Cordell's illustrations are perfectly tuned to the text.
Achooo!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

September 2017 - Ben LOVES this book, and so do I. It's a lot of fun to read (my best stuffed-up voice comes from pushing my nose shut a little while I read) and Ben laughs hysterically. It's also a sweet story about a kid who's little (but not that little) and his mom, and the illustrations and story work together so nicely. Plus, Little Louie looks a lot like Ben.

February 2020 - something reminded me of this book, so we reread it. Ben had absolutely no memory of it, but still thought it was funny.

[Olivia S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story about a kid with a cold, who keeps calling for his "Bob" (Mom), but his dog Bob keeps running in. Sweet story about what you need when you're sick, and how it's nice to have your mom take care of you sometimes. A bit long for little kids, but would work for 5+. Would be good for a storytime about getting sick with the Llama llama book!

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really funny story about a young boy suffering a bad cold who wants to cling to Mom....but keeps getting his dog instead due to his altered voice! This one will ring true for parents and kids who've made it through those long, rough illnesses together.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the play on words here! Very funny and very relatable for kids who are sick. It is nice to read something where kids can see how to take themselves a little less serious and laugh about it instead.

[Alina Borger]

A charmer about a sick kid who calls for his mom, but it comes out sounding like his dog’s name. ❤️

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Louie isn’t so little that he needs his mom every minute, or is he? In Bob, Not Bob! when Louie gets sick with a cold he would be happy if his mom checked on him every three minutes, or so. But as he feels worse and worse and as his cold progresses he has a problem. When he calls for his mom, it comes out as bob. Unfortunately, his dog is named Bob, and Bob is more than happy to come running. The next day Little Louie is even sicker. His lips are chapped and his eyes gunked. And to his disappointment having a stuffy nose is causing more than just the word Mom to be misunderstood. But will his mom be able to sense what Louie needs?

Cons:
None

Pros:
The book is to be read as though the reader has the worst cold ever. The story should please a classroom of children, or an individual child (especially one with a cold). Even parents will be tickled at the slobbering dog who misunderstands Louie as well as their own memories and experiences with children.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read for children and their parents. The humor is found in the mix-ups due to an inability to speak clearly because of a stuffy nose and the illustrations that depict a mom run ragged by her needy, cold-suffering child. Both roles are relatable. In a read-aloud, this held the interest of 3-year-old triplets and a 5th grader. One of the big tests of children's books, in my opinion, is whether or not it will hold up to multiple readings by Mom (me). If I can't stand a book, I'm going to avoid reading it to my kids by donating it or sticking it where they won't find it to request it. This one can stay on the shelf. It's a fun one. I love the ending. Busy Mom crawls in bed with her sick kiddo and gives him the snuggles he needs. It doesn't fix his cold, but it sure makes him feel better.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book almost makes me want to have a cold so I can talk like this!
This story is a fine example of how skilled writers can take a common experience and show the humor, tenderness, and human need in it.
Another thing that strikes me about this story is how fortunate that this little guy has a mom who has time for him. Rather than rushing off to do something (she even drops the laundry) or go somewhere (like to "work"), she takes time to comfort her child.
Add this book to the list of those that have good, solid parenting skills gently woven in (like Josh Bledsoe's "Hammer and Nails").
The illustrations are OK (which is why I'm not giving 5 stars). I'm just not a fan of Cordell's style (heck, I didn't even care for "Wolf in the Snow" - the 2o18 Caldecott winner - sorry, Josh!).