Parents' Guide to

I'm Not Cute!

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 2+

Short but cute -- much to a baby owl's chagrin.

Book Jonathan Allen Picture Book 2006
I'm Not Cute! Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Baby Owl is pretty cute, and not the "huge, sleek hunting machine" he says he is. None of the grown-ups in his life will see his side of it and it frustrates him. His mother understands, though, and says just the right thing when she tucks him in.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This quick-to-read picture book tells the very short story of a, yes, cute baby owl who wishes he wasn't so cute. For kids who labor under the same cute "burden," this book will surely be cathartic. The pictures betray Baby Owl's assertions that he's actually a "huge, sleek hunting machine" since he is obviously a squeezable ball of fluff.

The cartoon-like quality of the pictures and the clean, white background keep the book moving along quickly since there is little to dwell on in each page. (One complaint from a young reviewer: The bunny looks an awful lot like a kangaroo.) The book ends with nurturing Mother Owl finally hearing Baby Owl's frustration and acknowledging his wish to be seen as more ferocious than he appears. For kids who are feeling tense on behalf of Baby Owl, it makes for a nice ending.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Baby Owl is so frustrated. Why aren't the grown-ups listening to him? Perhaps kids can remember a time when they didn't feel heard by grown-ups. Do you ever wish you were big and strong? Do you mind if people say you're cute? What kinds of things can you say to grown-ups who want to hug you or pinch your cheeks when you don't want to be cuddled?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate