TIMOTHY TUGBOTTOM SAYS NO

Young Timothy Tugbottom doesn’t like change. He emphatically states, “I don’t like DIFFERENT.” Timothy will only wear his old and faded favorite pants even though his new pants have six and a half pockets. He won’t exchange his morning cereal for blueberry muffins. He is definitely not going to sleep in his big-boy bed when his crib is so warm and safe. Even his friend’s birthday party seems daunting. Timothy should soon get used to change, though, because while it isn’t stated, it’s clear from the illustrations that his mother is pregnant. Moreover, he does get used to it. Fast. Overnight in fact. After spending a cramped night in his crib, Timothy decides to don those new pants and try that muffin. He even gives the big-boy bed a whirl. The artwork is lively and the colors are varied and softened as though viewed through frosted glass. The sudden transformation in Timothy may seem unrealistic, but youngsters who resist change will find a good example and a peer in this celebrated novelist’s latest work for children. (Picture book. 2-5)