Don't Call Me Fuzzybutt!

by Robin Newman, Susan Batori (Illustrations)

Bear is tired. The weather is getting cool and he's ready for a nice long nap--he's got earmuffs and a brand-new door to keep out the noise, plus a pair of fluffy slippers. Meanwhile, real estate mogul Woodpecker finds his recent homes...missing. And he follows the trail of debris right to Bear's new front door. When he "tap tap taps" to talk to Bear about it, the two engage in a feisty exchange of name-calling and gossip with the rest of their forest neighbors. Can they patch it up--literally--before Bear loses too much sleep?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Birds, Animals, Storytime, Friendship, Humor

32 pages, ebook

Published March 15, 2021

About the author

Raised in New York and Paris, Robin's been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, bears and peacocks. She lives in New York with her husband, son, and two spoiled dogs.

Reviews

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bears will be bears and woodpeckers will be woodpeckers, but when Bear's need for hibernation collides with Woodpecker's need to peck, the only thing guaranteed is an overdose of laughter. In this hilarious tale, Bear and Woodpecker are at a standoff with neither willing to compromise on their perceived right: to sleep vs to peck. With neither willing to give even an inch, things gets testy ultimately ending in name-calling and hurt feelings. Newman's delightful words (particularly the sideline reactions between Rabbit, Mouse, and Squirrel) paired with Bartori's adorable art create a story which highlights the hurt words can cause, the importance of kindness and compromise, and an appreciation for newfound friendships. Highly recommended!

[Molin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear is so adorable 🥺🥺

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a funny and cute story! Bear is trying to hibernate, but Woodpecker’s pecking keeps disturbing his sleep. After Bear takes matters into his own hands, Woodpecker and Bear come face to face and the name-calling begins! The woodland animals are shocked at what words they hear!! But even worse, feelings are hurt and sniffles abound. Now Bear and Woodpecker must find a way to forgiveness and work together so everyone has a peaceful winter.

[Sophia Gholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children will love this adorable and hilarious story of an unlikely friendship. Robin Newman’s snappy and engaging prose keep the pages turning, while Susan Batori’s colorful illustrations are full of humorous expression. This book will make a great addition to any school or home library and will be a title that kids return to again and again.

[Judy Sobanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will no doubt giggle while listening to or reading this story of two foes who become friends. Bear and Woodpecker are at odds calling each other names that hurt one another's feelings. The gossiping forest animals add to the humor as they watch the fight unfold. But Bear and Woodpecker work together to solve each of their problems and restore peace to the forest. Robin Newman's character's are full of personality and Susan Batori's illustrations bring them to life. A story full of humor and heart that will help readers to choose empathy over name calling.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for problem/solution!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful picture book about a woodpecker and a bear with opposite agendas. Bear needs to sleep, “two hundred and forty-three and a half days to be precise.” Woodpecker has a specialty in building houses. One needs quiet, and the other makes lots of noise. When peace is not happening, the bear becomes angry and calls the woodpecker names. Woodpecker returns it with his insults. Since this makes both upset, they come together and find a solution.
A perfect read-aloud with natural colors for the illustrations using expressive animals will entice the audience. In addition, the text will indicate when loud voices are necessary for the reader. The humor might not always reach the younger audience, but it is a fun read. The book is an excellent addition to any library and can be used in many lessons, from science to social-emotional learning.
Written
Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
R

[Margaret]

Sometimes as soon as you read a title aloud, bursts of laughter can be heard throughout the gathered listeners during a story time. Certain words are overloaded with hilarity. That hilarity, though, can vanish in a second if the word is used to diminish an individual's character or worth.

Don't Call Me Fuzzybutt! (Sleeping Bear Press, March 15, 2021) written by Robin Newman with illustrations by Susan Batori shows us how anger can escalate. In that anger, civility is set aside. Taking the high road seems out of reach. The Golden Rule is forgotten.

My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Brittany Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time to hibernate and bear needs ALL of his rest. But, how can bear sleep without a quiet place to catch some zzz's? Lucky for bear, wood is plentiful. But, when woodpecker goes looking for his missing houses, bear has some explaining to do.

Robin Newman has brilliantly crafted a laugh out loud hilarious read with elements of solving issues and conflict resolution. Susan Batori's soft illustrations accompany the hilarious text, giving us bear vs. woodpecker realness.

Don't Call me Fuzzybutt will be a great storytime read aloud!

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out today! Bear wants to hibernate and Woodpecker wants to build homes, what could possibly go wrong?! This one is sure to have your littles giggling and is the perfect conversation opener to compromise and respecting differences. Don't miss this hilarious new picture book complete with adorable art! Please note I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides the fact that kids enjoy anything with the word "butt" in it, this book has a lot for children to love. It features a funny, intense argument between a woodpecker and a bear who are each set on achieving their individual goals. When they put their heads together, they figure out a solution that makes them both happy, and in the process they learn a valuable lesson about name-calling.

[Kate Allen Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of friendship overcoming even the biggest of obstacles--interrupted sleep! The illustrations are so fun, and my kids laughed out loud at the words fuzzybutt and (spoiler!) featherbutt. Highly recommend!

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT! by Robin Newman and Susan Batori is a fun and funny story about friendship, working together, and compromise. I laughed out loud at Robin's wonderful humor. The illustrations are fabulous and complement the humorous, heartfelt text so well.

[Readreadread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to laugh! Bear wants to sleep, but that pesky woodpecker just wouldn’t stop developing his real estate. HA! The two call each other names, hurt each other’s feelings, and make up, just as real kids do. Fun characters and dynamic illustrations make this book a great read!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book! I bought it for my niece, and not only does she find the book funny, but it also has important lessons about getting along. A valuable read, and we highly recommend it!

[Kylene Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about name calling and forgiveness

[Nikki Bergstresser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a light sleeper, Bear prepares for hibernation and anticipates a good sleep until Woodpecker finds his missing homes destroyed and used as part of Bear’s hibernation plan. Needless to say, Woodpecker is upset. Feathers are ruffled and feelings hurt until an apology and resolution are reached.
🐻🌲
How I loved this book by written by Robin Newman, illustrated by Susan Batori and published by Sleeping Bear Press! Filled with humor and heart, I loved the banter between the characters. The language is rich and can be read with such fun expression. The beautiful illustrations and facial expressions of the characters’ emotions add to the humor! This is a wonderful book to read with children for discussion on empathy, how we respond to others when we are hurt and how to be problem solvers. Five bear rating for me!
🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of a bear and a woodpecker. Bear needs to sleep and accidentally destroyed the woodpeckers’ home. The woodpecker needs to build. Between the two of them, the bear is not getting to sleep. This results in name-calling. While the bear starts it out, the woodpecker completes it. And fuzzybutt is born. However, the woodpecker apologizes and the two find a happy balance. As someone with a woodpecker in their yard, I fully understand the pecking and how grading it can be sometimes. I like that these two became friends and that the book has the lesson of a don’t call people names. The illustrations are lovely, and I do enjoy them. I do wish this story while Good had a shorter better flow, but it still works.

[Jocelyn Rish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story about working together to find solutions rather than letting anger get the best of you. It's time for Bear to hibernate, but he's a light sleeper, while Woodpecker needs to peck, peck, peck to make his houses. The inevitable confrontation leads to angry words and hurt feelings. Feeling bad about making the other one feel bad, they put aside their bruised egos and work together to come up with a plan that works for both of them. Robin Newman's hilarious word choices give the story a lightness that helps balance the grouchiness of the characters. And Susan Batori's adorable illustrations do a fantastic job conveying the various emotions throughout.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this hilarious parallel story, oh-so-sensitive Bear meticulously prepares for hibernation. He’s even knitted earmuffs, because the sound of a single raindrop could wake him! Sadly, a quiet slumber is out of the question, thanks to an annoying, noisy woodpecker who is, in turn, annoyed with Bear. The conflict escalates and before Bear and Woodpecker know it they’ve both have said things they regret. Feelings get hurt. We’ve all been there! Newman skillfully brings the two quirky characters to a reconciliation. A great conversation starter about making amends.

[Meera Sriram · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Woodpecker's constant pecking keeps up Bear from hibernating, a conflict is born, followed by name-calling with an audience - a situation too familiar to kids and way too common in school and play settings. This is a hilariously written, sweet story about friendship and conflict resolution, and name-calling in particular. We've loved other books by author Robin Newman and this one definitely lives up to our expectations in style and humor. This book will be a great addition to any home or classroom library.

[AEB · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I gave my child the option of several stories to read for bedtime, guess which one he picked? I'm sure the title had NOTHING to do with it.

Bear wants to sleep through the winter. Woodpecker wants to peck peck peck. Conflict ensues and much to the shock of the other forest animals--name calling! Will things ever get resolved?! I won't spoil it for you.

The illustrations were super cute and the text was charming. We giggled the whole way through this story!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear is ready to take his winter nap or hibernate but woodpecker keeps pecking while he makes new homes and wakes the bear up. The bear is angry and calls the woodpecker names. The other animals are surprised and pass it around. Bear and woodpecker face off over the noise and woodpecker's destroyed homes. In the end neither knows what the names called meant. Liked it except for the name calling theme. I read the hard copy of the book

[Annelouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun picture book that takes a look at compromise and the importance of forgiveness in building relationships. When Bear wants to sleep but is kept awake by Woodpecker, Bear becomes increasingly irritated which results in name calling and hurt feelings. Together they work through the hurt feelings and find a better solution, becoming friends and not wanting to be enemies. It's a great problem and solution story beautifully told by Robin Newman and illustrated by Susan Batori

[Mszens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun to find the biology of hibernation while working though a dire conflict between animal friends. These characters held my attention as the antics of the two first grew more outrageous and heated. But before long their empathy for each other softened as the heard the sniffles of tears. Each leaned in to compassion and they started working together. I like stories like this one. Even we adults could benefit from more of these stories in our lives.

[Sita Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Bear is trying to hibernate and Woodpecker’s pecking keeps disturbing his sleep, Bear takes matters in his own hands and the name-calling begins. In this hilarious tale of unlikely friendship, Bear and Woodpecker must find a way to forgive each other and work together. This is a funny, yet sweet story of friendship, kindness, and problem-solving. I highly recommend this book!

[Michal Babay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story of friendship and compromise! Your kids will be rooting for both the fuzzy AND the featherbutt as they work through their anger and find a solution that fits everyone.
With adorable illustrations by Susan Batori, this funny book is a winner for classrooms and home libraries everywhere.
I highly recommend it.

[Joan Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids are going to get many laughs out of this adorable story about two forest creatures who drive eat other nuts, call each other mean (well, silly) names, and then realize how much it hurts the other one. Fortunately, they’re able to find a more constructive (pardon the pun—the woodpecker is a builder, of course) solution, and a friendship is formed. Great story and wonderful illustrations!

[Cristina Raymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear wants to hibernate. Woodpecker wants to peck. But when Bear confronts Woodpecker and Woodpecker confronts Bear, a series of name-calling, tears, embarrassment, and hurt feelings ensue. Robin Newman and Susan Batori create a delightfully entertaining story that hilariously portrays a very important message about the power of hurtful words.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear has a problem--he's a very light sleeper which interferes with his hibernation--particularly when there's a pesky Woodpecker who think it's his job to build houses near Bear's house. The two collide over territories, call each other names, and eventually work through their differences. Nice book to show how to resolve conflict with a friend.