But Not Nate!: A Book About Opposites (Snugglebug Books) - Hardcover

PreSchool-K?An undistinguished concept book about contrary Nate, an African American boy who cheerfully does just the opposite of his friends. If they are outside, he stays inside; if they climb the fence, he crawls under it; if they eat hot dogs, he eats ice cream, etc. The multiethnic children are done in busy cartoon collages in bright colors, and have the one-dimensional stiffness of cut cardboard. The rhymed text is split emphatically by the phrase, "But not Nate!" which appears between the verses describing the playmates' action and Nate's reaction, with the concept words in italics. Thus, the contrasting elements are not clear. For example, the other children are at the top of the tree, but Nate is not at the bottom; instead, he is crouched in a doghouse behind a bush. The pictures are crowded and thus lack emphasis. The poetry is neither creative nor exciting. With dozens of outstanding concept books competing for shelf space, this is a weak entry.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.