Absolutely Not [Hardcover]

Matthew McElligott (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Two friends will win your heart as their adventure amazes your eyes.

Gloria is brave, but Frieda is absolutely not. Gloria wants to go for a walk but Frieda absolutely does not. Everything is scary from Frieda's point of view-the river looks suspiciously like a snake, and is that a moldy old log over there, or a ferocious dog? When Frieda cries wolf one too many times, Gloria stops listening to her. But what's that in the bushes? Are the two little friends in danger, or is it another figment of Frieda's imagination?

Matthew McElligott's visual illusions will have you just as amazed as Frieda is about what's absolutely real and what's absolutely not. And Gloria and Frieda's friendship will win your hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-This unpretentious story about friendship has a twist borrowed from "The Blind Man and the Elephant" that separates it from the pack. Dressed up in elegant outfits in complementary shades of lavender and periwinkle, two green bugs share a companionable walk. Gloria is eager to participate fully in the beautiful day; Frieda is timid and imagines danger everywhere. What Frieda sees as a snake, Gloria recognizes as a river. Gloria's lovely log looks to Frieda like a dog. After having an enjoyable time in spite of herself, Frieda reluctantly agrees to take Gloria's shortcut home through the woods ("Have I been wrong so far?") and indeed Frieda's fears are realized. The friends narrowly escape, but make plans for another walk the next day. McElligott's simple and attractive layout; the clean, orderly pencil-and-watercolor illustrations; and the straightforward text with its predictable aspects all work together to keep readers inside the joke. Absolutely Not offers young readers a rare chance to synthesize verbal and graphic clues and figure out for themselves what's what. It all adds up to a dash of emerging literacy and a splash of fun.-Liza Graybill, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

MATTHEW McELLIGOTT is the author of several books for children, including The Lion’s Share, Absolutely Not, and Backbeard and the Birthday Suit. He teaches at Sage College and also visits elementary schools around the country. He lives in New York.

www.mattmcelligott.com

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788890
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788894
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,698,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matthew McElligott is the author and illustrator of many books for children including Benjamin Franklinstein Lives!, Even Monsters Need Haircuts, The Lion's Share, Bean Thirteen, and several books about Backbeard the pirate. Like Backbeard, he is big, smelly, messy, and not too bright.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely!, March 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Absolutely Not (Hardcover)

"Absolutely Not" is a cleverly written and planned, beautifully illustrated book.

The story involves two bugs, Gloria and Frieda, who decide to go for a walk. On their way, Frieda seems to see all sorts of dangers around, but her friend Gloria is there to clear up her misconceptions.

So why do I think this simple idea is so clever?

The author/illustrator has created beautiful illustrations that include, if you search, illusions. When I read the book to my daughter, she sees the obvious illustration, but she has to hunt for whatever it is that Frieda sees.

When my little girl first found the secret pictures, she felt triumphant! I look forward to the day that her little brother is old enough for her to read the book to him and help him discover all the secrets.

A wonderful book that is genuinely involving. Recommended? Absolutely!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than the sum of its parts -- an elegant gem, May 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Absolutely Not (Hardcover)

This beautiful book works on several different levels -- it's a story about facing and conquering your fears. It's a story about friendship. And it also has incredibly clever illustrations -- trompe l'oeil style landscapes which kids will love poring over. A terrific picture book, one that warrants repeat readings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcome with Fears or Just Cautious?, November 17, 2008

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Absolutely Not (Paperback)

Gloria wants to go for a walk in the garden, Frieda is afraid but goes with her. Gloria thinks she's always safe, Frieda sees danger all around. But then is there something to fear at times? A very sweet, relevant book about being afraid to the point where you can't do anything or being so fearless you can put yourself into danger. The middle path is always the way!