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This is (Not) a Series #6
This Is (Not) Enough
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2022)Finding a gift for your best pal isn’t always easy in this fun tale from an award-winning author and illustrator. Two friends are excited about getting presents for each other. But when they try to find just the right gift, nothing seems good enough. From skywriting to painting to gardens, each thing they try ends up feeling just a little off. How will they ever find that special gift? With humor and heart, the purple and orange characters from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small discover that what makes a gift special isn’t necessarily what’s inside the box.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
206 people are currently reading
7994 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
February 16, 2022
Cute and fun illustration. This is a story about giving. A gift is enough when it comes from the heart. However, I'm not sure what the ending means...
Amazon First Read - February
Amazon First Read - February
November 14, 2023
It’s Not Enough for Me.
Well, this book is not enough for me. I mean the children didn’t like it, but that’s okay. I found something else to read to them. And this other one they liked.
I don’t really understand what is happening, anyway.
Three stars. ✨✨✨
Well, this book is not enough for me. I mean the children didn’t like it, but that’s okay. I found something else to read to them. And this other one they liked.
I don’t really understand what is happening, anyway.
Three stars. ✨✨✨
February 25, 2022
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is This is (Not) Enough, written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant, a wonderfully heartwarming tale of the true meaning of the gifts we give.
Kang and Weyant’s pair of bear friends are back for the sixth installment of the You Are (Not) Small series. The large brown bear is on the hunt for the perfect present for their small, purple bear buddy. They look at a few options, but this is a gift for their bestest pal – it must be “COOL and FUN and BIG and ‘WOW’!” Meanwhile, purple bear decides to knit their large brown buddy a handmade scarf (they don’t know how to knit YET, but they’re confident that they’ll figure it out). After hinting about their gifts for one another, Big Brown feels dismayed at his choice for Purple’s gift: “This is not enough.” Will the two friends ever figure out the perfect gift to give the most important friend in their lives?
A simple lesson told with simple grace. Kang and Weyant’s series has a knack for exploring everyday themes with minimal dialogue-style text and warm, approachable visuals, and this latest addition is no exception. The friends find that gifts made and given with love are the most special, even if they’re imperfect (such as a snuggly, cozy scarf with more than a few loose strings). Along the way, their antics are gently comic enough to keep young kids entertained, and the well-balanced illustrations add visual gags and expression to immensely endearing characters. the length is perfect for a storytime at any age, and JJ enjoyed seeing the bears’ close friendship. Overall, a warm and cozy gift of a story, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
March 11, 2022
I truly loved this beautiful book!! The colorful pages are simply adorable 💗 It's easy to read format is perfect for children and adults ( especially after a long stressful week like I had... it's fun to unwind and get laughs) The orange and purple characters precious and full of heart. It's a brand new book and it's bound to be classic! The dedication page is thoughtful and considerate... perfect for todays world and much needed. Thank you to Anna King Christopher Weyant for an amazing book! I can see why it received so many five star ratings on Goodreads!! I highlighted recommend this emotionally fun book! Happy reading, Kellie 📖😊
May 19, 2022
Cute kids book with pretty pictures. I love that the two friends want to get each other the best gifts ever. And that they realize something made from the heart is the best gift you can give (I come from a crafty family and like homemade gifts!)!
February 7, 2022
After having read a few more emotional and demanding books as of late, I welcomed the opportunity for a literary palate cleansing with Anna Kang's "This Is (Not) Enough," a book targeting ages 3-7 years that is illustrated by Christopher Weyant and that continues Kang's Theodore Seuss Geisel Award-winning characters.
The story is, as one might expect, a simple one as two best friends spend their time seeking out the best gifts for one another always only to feel like they are falling short in finding a gift that is truly "enough." "This Is (Not) Enough" is warm and whimsical with Weyant's illustrations occasionally bringing back memories of "The Berenstain Bears" and Kang's story capturing a meaningful story easily understood by its target age group with a clear lesson that sometimes what makes a gift special isn't what's in the box.
At a mere 40 pages filled with equal parts words and images, "This Is (Not) Enough" is an ideal little book for that age group where kids are just starting to learn about gift-giving and relationships inside and outside the family home. This is definitely a cuddle up and read book sure to elicit lots of smiles and giggles.
The story is, as one might expect, a simple one as two best friends spend their time seeking out the best gifts for one another always only to feel like they are falling short in finding a gift that is truly "enough." "This Is (Not) Enough" is warm and whimsical with Weyant's illustrations occasionally bringing back memories of "The Berenstain Bears" and Kang's story capturing a meaningful story easily understood by its target age group with a clear lesson that sometimes what makes a gift special isn't what's in the box.
At a mere 40 pages filled with equal parts words and images, "This Is (Not) Enough" is an ideal little book for that age group where kids are just starting to learn about gift-giving and relationships inside and outside the family home. This is definitely a cuddle up and read book sure to elicit lots of smiles and giggles.
February 22, 2022
In this sweet tale of friendship, two fuzzy creatures search for the perfect gift to give to each other. But both of them struggle to find what they feel is a present that is 'enough' to show their feelings for the other. After all the present should be "cool and fun and BIG and 'WOW'". Eventually they choose gifts, but will they be enough to please each other? The efforts these friends go to to show their feelings is quite impressive as Weyant's ink and watercolor illustrations so clearly demonstrate. A tuba-xylophone-bubble blower and an airplane message-in-the-sky prove how far these friends are willing to go to find the perfect gift. I appreciated the message that a gift from the heart matters more than the size or shape of the gift. The last page makes for a fun twist that caused me to smile. Not only is this a delightful tale of friendship but an important reminder of what matters most in life. Weyant's illustrations are adorable and eye-catching. The large text makes this an easy book to read for both young and old eyes.
November 14, 2023
Explore the difficulties of finding the perfect gift for a good friend or loved one. Can two friends find gifts for each other? Will their gifts be enough to show each other how much they care?
February 9, 2022
Fun illustrations. At the end I don't seem to understand what I'm supposed to walk away with. Am I'm supposed to buy a bigger gift for my best friend or what? The message seems to get lost.
December 15, 2022
such a good one, actually I will love to see the next Ann Kang will come up with, this time i would love to extend some copy to my family, all the kids are getting it
March 2, 2022
The beloved friends from the You are Not Small series are back with another lesson on friendship. Each friend is trying to find the perfect gift for the other. Nothing seems good enough or big enough or special enough to gift to their best friend.
Each friend tries to come up with the best gift idea for each other ranging from skywriting to a magical garden to making the perfect cake. But nothing seems right or good enough. As the friends finally have to decide to give their gifts, they realize their gifts for each other are perfect and more than enough.
This simple story reminds kids and parents that a gift from your heart is the most special gift of all. The illustrations of the lovable characters show their frustrations, determined spirit, and joy upon receiving their gift. The next time your child needs to give a friend a gift, they just might think differently about what they would like to give them.
Each friend tries to come up with the best gift idea for each other ranging from skywriting to a magical garden to making the perfect cake. But nothing seems right or good enough. As the friends finally have to decide to give their gifts, they realize their gifts for each other are perfect and more than enough.
This simple story reminds kids and parents that a gift from your heart is the most special gift of all. The illustrations of the lovable characters show their frustrations, determined spirit, and joy upon receiving their gift. The next time your child needs to give a friend a gift, they just might think differently about what they would like to give them.
September 12, 2022
This is (Not) Enough is about a bear who wants to get something really nice for his best friend. His friend also wants to get him something nice. They work so hard to make their gifts and then present it to each other thinking it's not enough when they see the other person's gift. But they both love their gifts and are so grateful that the other person just thought of them. I really liked this book because the pictures were fun and easy to follow and it has a really good meaning. I would read this to my class when talking about friendship and being kind and use it to show them they don't need to give big gifts, but just think of other people.
February 5, 2022
I was able to get this book as I have amazon prime and you get free books once a month. The illustrations in this book are colorful and really draw your attention to the book. Cassie really enjoyed looking at the pictures. I felt like the story-line was lacking and was confusing on what was going on. I felt like there was not much of a story-line at all. It was confusing book that didn't have any progression. I was kind of bummed that the book wasn't better as we loved the first book of the series.
February 19, 2022
Two friends struggle to find the perfect gifts for each other. Will any gift be enough?
I liked the illustrations more than the story, as the plot was simplistic and straightforward. There was not much to the book, with not even a strong message about the importance of friendship. Overall, This Is (Not) Enough really did not grab my attention in any meaningful way.
I chose a copy of this book from the First Reads program. The decision to read and review This Is (Not) Enough was entirely my own.
I liked the illustrations more than the story, as the plot was simplistic and straightforward. There was not much to the book, with not even a strong message about the importance of friendship. Overall, This Is (Not) Enough really did not grab my attention in any meaningful way.
I chose a copy of this book from the First Reads program. The decision to read and review This Is (Not) Enough was entirely my own.
March 10, 2022
Mixed feelings about this one. I get the message and I understand the ending, but there were other parts that I thought didn't quite fit in the story.
I have not read her other books so cannot compare to those, but I do like that she has a whole series with these same characters. It reminds me of Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books, which I LOVE.
Anyways, my lukewarm response to this book does seem to be in the minority both here and on Amazon so perhaps I'm missing something.
I did love the illustrations.
I have not read her other books so cannot compare to those, but I do like that she has a whole series with these same characters. It reminds me of Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books, which I LOVE.
Anyways, my lukewarm response to this book does seem to be in the minority both here and on Amazon so perhaps I'm missing something.
I did love the illustrations.
August 20, 2022
This is a great big "awwwww!!!" book (insert heart eye emojis here). A sweet story about two best friends who are trying to think up the best gift for each other to convey how much they love each other, but both feel that whatever they come up with is not enough. And then it turns out it is, because they've put thought and care into it, even if it isn't perfect. Aw. :D
February 3, 2022
Cute, fun drawings, great message, well intentioned, incompletely delivered. Could have used at least one more two-page spread to help carry connections and communicate more clearly. Doesn't have that daily go-to read rhythm.
February 7, 2022
Not meaningful reading
Ok for the series but nothing special about it if you looking for meaningful children's reading. We like either pure entertainment or meaning and this was neither.
Ok for the series but nothing special about it if you looking for meaningful children's reading. We like either pure entertainment or meaning and this was neither.
July 24, 2022
I thought this was a very nice and poignant children's book. It has a great moral to it. A good show of the strength of friendship with what I believe was a bit of forgetfulness as well. It was cute and entertaining.
February 24, 2022
cute!!!
Read to my son while breastfeeding. He enjoyed the pictures and story quite a lot. I loved the overall message
Read to my son while breastfeeding. He enjoyed the pictures and story quite a lot. I loved the overall message
March 2, 2022
The drawings are cute and colorful and will hold the attention of the little ones https://amzn.to/3K3NPwo
December 1, 2022
the best book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2022
The two bears feel that their presents for each other aren't good enough. Of course, they are overthinking it.
November 22, 2022
Me encantó, es tan real que uno a veces quiere tanto al otro que no encuentra algo que sea suficiente y también es tan real que uno sin importar lo que recibe cuando fue pensado con amor trae toda la felicidad del mundo
November 5, 2024
Friendship
Cute book about caring and friendship and how one can show that it’s the thought that counts in friendship. Enjoy with a child!
Cute book about caring and friendship and how one can show that it’s the thought that counts in friendship. Enjoy with a child!
January 30, 2022
English version
Making a children's book is no easy task.
It may seem like it, but in fact it is not. Because you have to put a lot of things together, be a book that brings instruction, values, joy and fun, all this in a light way, and a very difficult task, even more in the fun part.
But these books in Anna Kang's (NOT) series made me laugh. A difficult thing to achieve in a children's book these days.
They took me back to my childhood years when all my problems were about sharing toys with my little friends, who would be the first in a game, these were all my dilemmas.
Reading these books did me good, I read them all at once and loved it!
Anna Congratulations on the light and content-filled writing, congratulations to Illustrator Christopher Weyant who did an excellent job creating such sweet and expressive creatures.
Portuguese Version
================
Fazer um livro infantil não é tarefa fácil .
Até pode parecer , mas de fato não é . Porque você tem que juntar muitas coisas , ser um livro que traga instrução , valores , alegria e divertimento , tudo isso de uma forma leve , e uma tarefa muito difícil , ainda mais na parte divertida .
Porém estes livros da série (NOT) de Anna Kang , me fizeram rir . Uma coisa difícil de se conseguir num livro infantil atualmente .
Me fizeram voltar aos anos de minha infância quando todos os meus problemas se resumiam em dividir brinquedos com meus amiguinhos , quem seria o primeiro numa brincadeira , estes eram todos os meus dilemas .
Ler estes livros me fizeram bem , eu os li todos de uma vez e adorei !
Anna Parabéns pela escrita leve e cheia de conteúdo , parabéns ao Ilustrador Christopher Weyant que fez um excelente trabalho , criando criaturas tão doces e expressivas
Making a children's book is no easy task.
It may seem like it, but in fact it is not. Because you have to put a lot of things together, be a book that brings instruction, values, joy and fun, all this in a light way, and a very difficult task, even more in the fun part.
But these books in Anna Kang's (NOT) series made me laugh. A difficult thing to achieve in a children's book these days.
They took me back to my childhood years when all my problems were about sharing toys with my little friends, who would be the first in a game, these were all my dilemmas.
Reading these books did me good, I read them all at once and loved it!
Anna Congratulations on the light and content-filled writing, congratulations to Illustrator Christopher Weyant who did an excellent job creating such sweet and expressive creatures.
Portuguese Version
================
Fazer um livro infantil não é tarefa fácil .
Até pode parecer , mas de fato não é . Porque você tem que juntar muitas coisas , ser um livro que traga instrução , valores , alegria e divertimento , tudo isso de uma forma leve , e uma tarefa muito difícil , ainda mais na parte divertida .
Porém estes livros da série (NOT) de Anna Kang , me fizeram rir . Uma coisa difícil de se conseguir num livro infantil atualmente .
Me fizeram voltar aos anos de minha infância quando todos os meus problemas se resumiam em dividir brinquedos com meus amiguinhos , quem seria o primeiro numa brincadeira , estes eram todos os meus dilemas .
Ler estes livros me fizeram bem , eu os li todos de uma vez e adorei !
Anna Parabéns pela escrita leve e cheia de conteúdo , parabéns ao Ilustrador Christopher Weyant que fez um excelente trabalho , criando criaturas tão doces e expressivas
December 27, 2022
Big and small bears want to give each other the best gift available on 'Give-a-Gift day'. Big bear looks out for options in the store, but he is not happy with any of them. He wants it to be cool and fun, but something in the store needs to match his description. Sadly, nothing did as yet. On the other side, the small bear wants his gift to be warm and from the heart. Unfortunately, he, too, found nothing as yet. So, did the friends find a gift for each other?
We picked this book for its nomination to Goodreads awards. Big bear and small bear are back with another installment of a powerful story. This time about what matters most in giving a gift. The illustrations are always very vibrant and will impress young readers.
This is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang is a colorfully illustrated, warm story of friends who realize the critical aspect of gifting after a brief toil.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books
We picked this book for its nomination to Goodreads awards. Big bear and small bear are back with another installment of a powerful story. This time about what matters most in giving a gift. The illustrations are always very vibrant and will impress young readers.
This is (Not) Enough by Anna Kang is a colorfully illustrated, warm story of friends who realize the critical aspect of gifting after a brief toil.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books
February 2, 2022
i really enjoy this series. i found it was available through the kindle first (for February) each month ...if you are a part of PRIME on Amazon (wish i could review on Amazon but you know the drill. old hat but still frustrating. i wonder if Amazon is changing there was?? i wonder??! Beth still reads but, kind of annoying.) you get i think it is 6 options to pick from and you get to selection one of those books before it is published. i find a lot of them are similar in genre and i tend to go for the kids read ...they are usually happier, more fun and colorful. and i did recognize this book ...the author and past books from this series. so fun!! great illustrations. so fun. must read. great for your kiddie poohs bookshelf. for a gift? great times.
December 11, 2022
In This Is Not Enough, two best friends are looking for the perfect gift to give to the other, but they’re worried that whatever they choose won’t be super/amazing/worthy/good enough.
Gift giving anxiety is the worst and this book shows this to a “T.” When it’s someone very important to you and who you care a lot about – in this case, a best friend – it’s sometimes hard not to stress about finding the right gift because in a way the gift stands for/communicates your feelings about them. You want to give/make something special for them.
A straightforward story that conveyed a great deal of heart, I was left with warm fuzzy feelings for these two lovable BFFs. Their friendship never fails to put a smile on my face.
Gift giving anxiety is the worst and this book shows this to a “T.” When it’s someone very important to you and who you care a lot about – in this case, a best friend – it’s sometimes hard not to stress about finding the right gift because in a way the gift stands for/communicates your feelings about them. You want to give/make something special for them.
A straightforward story that conveyed a great deal of heart, I was left with warm fuzzy feelings for these two lovable BFFs. Their friendship never fails to put a smile on my face.
April 13, 2022
Sometimes the hardest person to get a gift for is the person you know best, because who else deserves better than your dearest confidant, your ride-or-die, your person? This precious tale of two friends trying to decide what to get one another is perfect for young children. It shows that sometimes a gift from the heart is better than anything expensive or loud. The illustrations are vibrant and welcoming. They show motion and convey feelings in a childlike way. I immediately thought of my childhood bestfriend, who is now my adult bestfriend. Much like the characters felt in this book, no gift can measure up to the support and love I have for her or that she's given me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews