Reviews

Verdi by Janell Cannon

bluhorseamy's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I know it's a children's book, but I love the illustrations. 

alanaleigh's review against another edition

5.0

I know that Stellaluna is the first of this author's children's books, but I came upon Verdi first and as a result, it's my favorite of the two.
Verdi is a young, bright yellow python with sporty stripes... And he doesn't want to grow up to be big and green. All the green adult pythons are lazy and boring... They're too tired to play and Verdi wants to remain quick and young. But one day, a dreaded pale green stripe appears, telling him that his own green adulthood is nearly upon him -- and Verdi does everything he can imagine to get rid of that green... Even going lengths that betray just how young and foolish he is by putting himself in danger. In the end, he realizes that just because he's green, it doesn't mean he can't still have his youthful spirit.
My favorite part of all is the look of complete and utter joy on Verdi's face as he flies through the air. The illustrations really are priceless. And plus, it's a snake named Verdi. That's pretty great.

readerspeak's review against another edition

5.0

My daughter loved this. It was her favorite book of her first grade year.

madalyn_reading's review against another edition

5.0

I was reminded of this book today after seeing one of these snakes. It was read to me as a kid and I remembered that it was about a baby snake (yellow) not wanting to turn green (and grow up) but it happened anyway. Rereading it was nostalgic and the moral of the story was so sweet and precious. A lesson that everyone needs to hear. I cried at the end

spookyreads92's review against another edition

5.0

My daughter and I read this together, and I think we both agree that it was wonderful.

allmadhere106's review against another edition

3.0

For: snake fans; readers looking for a longer picture book about growing up and being true to oneself.

Possible red flags: characters in peril.

mcnemesis's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.0

katyjoturner's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the premise of the book, but I worry that the first pages of text (and one other) are too long for the illustrations (not much to occupy the eyes of little ones).

I wish all of the pages had spot illustrations—but the pages that, in my opinion, had too much text, were the ones without.

This book also gives me all the feels today—I feel very much like a green snake these days, only without the figure eight.

wallflower755's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adore the message in the book, plus it was just really cute and I loved the art style.

isabelmacomber's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0