Book Review - Unlovable

Yaccarino, Dan. 2001. Unlovable. Scholastic, Inc: New York.

Feeling unlovable? So did Alfred. The cat always told him he was unlovable and the parrot and goldfish agreed. Even the neighborhood dogs would have nothing to do with him, but he couldn’t understand what made him so unlovable – “His snoring? The way he ate? His little curly tail?” One day, a new dog named Rex moved in next door. Alfred and Rex loved talking to each other through the fence and became fast friends, but would Rex still like Alfred when they met face- to- face? Absolutely! Rex was a true friend, and liked Alfred just the way he was, so Alfred would never feel unlovable again. All children can probably identify with Alfred’s feelings of being unlovable. This book delivers a heart-warming message of friendship and acceptance that even the youngest “reader” can understand. Unlovable is an eye-catching book with bold illustrations done with gouache on watercolor paper. The illustrations have few details, but vivid colors and interesting use of line and shape, make them pop. This is an adorable book with a wonderful message.