Itty Bitty Betty Blob

April 15, 2024
As her name suggests, Itty Bitty Betty Blob is a small, amorphous monster, but that's not what sets her apart. It's Betty's cheerful demeanor that makes her different from her peers. What kind of monster "rejoice[s] at rainbows" and "dance[s] among the dandelions"? Betty's pink hue also distinguishes her from her classmates, who are rendered in a black-and-white palette, and makes her stand out in her rather somber, expressionistic setting. Brief, alliterative sentences keep the pages turning as readers learn about her trouble fitting in at school: While the other students faithfully reproduce a still life of dead flowers on a table, hers is a vibrant image of a living, yellow daisy. The crisis comes to a head on picture day. Despite the dreadful outfit her mother selects, Betty can't grimace fiercely enough. As she travels through the spooky forest to school, the diminutive monster is distracted by a pink puff. Following it, she encounters an entire fluffy community that encourages her to be true to herself. Her frightful frock becomes an extravaganza of flowers. The climax involves a mood transformation for the entire class as puffs emerge from Betty's dress, tickling everyone as the flash goes off. Children will enjoy the humor in the reversal of expectations around classroom culture--and will be heartened by Betty's willingness to embrace what makes her different--although subsequent readings don't yield much more. A light touch delivers an increasingly common but important message. (Picture book. 4-6)

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May 13, 2024
“Not your typical monster,” pink Itty-Bitty Betty Blob tries hard to be bad, but her interest in rainbows over rainstorms, and dancing instead of trampling, sets her apart from her peers at Ghoulington Academy. In art class, “her still life wouldn’t stay still,” and during music, her “GRRs” turn tuneful, earning her stern looks from more typically presenting monster classmates, stroked in bold blacks and grays by Player. On picture day, Betty’s mother encourages her efforts to look monstrous. But on the way to school that morning, she’s waylaid by dozens of round pink puffs, who help Betty “to be more... Betty!” as she navigates the path to picture day, and takes down expectations in the bargain, in this sweet-tempered be-yourself tale. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 4–8.

June 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Itty Bitty Betty Blob is not your typical monster, being a small, round, pink creature who loves rainbows, flowers, dancing, and singing. "At school, Itty Bitty Betty Blob wanted to be bad, like a good little monster," but to no avail, as sweet Betty just doesn't have it in her. She tries to fit in with her classmates and practices making fierce faces and wearing scary clothes with her mother's assistance. No matter what she does, she's no good at monstering. On her way to school one day, Betty happens upon some small, round chick-like creatures that make her smile. When she shares the peeping "puffs" with her classmates on picture day, should readers be surprised at their response? After all, they are little monsters. Most of the illustrations are in black, white, and gray, whereas Betty appears pink in several pictures. Humorous artwork reveals Betty's body flattening out during sleep, shower time, and while sliding under a log in the forest. Youngsters will get a kick out of this latest tale about just being yourself.

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