NO Is All I Know!
by Chris Grabenstein; illus. by Leo Espinosa
Preschool    Random    40 pp.
5/23    9780593302040    $18.99
Library ed.  9780593302057    $21.99
e-book ed.  9780593302064    $10.99

In this rhythmic picture book, Oliver McSnow finds himself stuck in a cycle of contrariness. He answers “NO!” to tedious requests such as cleaning up and brushing his teeth but also “NO!” to treats including ice cream, pizza, and popsicles. “His NO! became so strong…there was no way to stop it.” Bright cartoonlike digital and pencil illustrations capitalize on the self-imposed drama of the situation, ramping up humor on every page. The impacts of small Oliver’s strength of will play out in the funny details of his environment and the exaggerated expressions of those around him. All this negativity eventually starts to wear on Oliver too; though he grows more tired, grouchy, and smelly as the story bounces on, he seems unable to turn the situation around. Mercifully, cousin Jess comes over to play, and Jess likes to say “YES!” as much as Oliver likes to say “NO!” Jess brings Oliver along for a whole day of “YES!”; Oliver gains much-needed perspective on what he has been missing. The engaging and silly details of the text and art help offset the forcefulness of the lesson being presented. Endpapers that start the story with a barrage of red “NO!”s wrap things up hopefully by sneaking one striking green “YES!” into the template.

From the September/October 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.