Books for Kids

An irregularly updated review of current and classic children's literature.

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Verdi by Janell Cannon

Verdi is a wonderful story of a fun-loving young yellow snake who doesn't want to grow old and turn green. Verdi thinks all the other old green snakes are lazy, boring, and rude. The older snakes all try to give Verdi advice so he can protect himself and grow to an old age. Verdi ignores their advice and attempts to hide the changes that are occuring with him, and eventually hurts himself.

When Verdi must take a break to rest and recover, he finally starts to accept some of the wisdom of the older snakes, but also keeps a little part of his young crazy side alive also.

Cannon's illustrations are as beautiful as they are funny. The detail in her work is amazing. This is an excellent story for kids coming to grips with some of the physical and emotional changes of growing older.

Ages 6 to 11

Keywords: Aging, Maturity, Adolescence, Snakes, Respect, Risk-Taking, Nature

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