A review by allmadhere106
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus

3.0

I remember reading this book as a child and liking the sweet tiger, and I can still see that now. However, I think the book is really more of a message for the worrying parent of a "late bloomer." It's clear that Leo is upset that he's behind his peers in terms of development, but then his father hovers and adds pressure for Leo to advance--even when the text says his father stopped watching, the illustrations show us otherwise. While I can see this adding some humor, Leo needs to get there on his own, which he finally does and is able to have more confidence. I have mixed feelings about this book overall.

For: tiger lovers; readers wanting a book about finding their place amongst their peers in their own time.

Possible red flags: issues of self-esteem and worrying/being a disappointment to parents.