Leo the Late Bloomer

Rating:
Summary: A Great Children's Book
Review: I couldn't help but write a review because of my love for this book's message (and illustrations) in addition to my disagreement to one of the reviewers message concerning the possible delay in diagnosing a child with "special needs." I cannot disagree more - the moral of this story is not psychology or diagnosing a child with special needs. The subject matter deals with "a late bloomer." Lets enjoy the book & its illustrations - this book will not interrupt a parent or their doctor from diagnosing a child who has special needs. It didn't delay my relative's diagnosis. Children will love it.

Rating:
Summary: I love Leo!
Review: In a world in which every middle class parent worries if their child isn't top notch in everything, this book is a beautiful classic to remind us all to relax. I collect children's books, and my husband suggested this one, as he loved it as a child. When I got it, I loved it immediately. It assures children and parents that people progress at different levels, but everybody blooms. My husband was a very small child, shorter than everyone in his class, and this book brought him comfort and encouraged him in what he was good at. About 20 or 25 years later, he's a self-confident, very socially adept doctor! I remember struggling very much in kindergarten and first grade with everything from cutting to skipping to math to reading. Everything clicked for me around 2nd or 3rd grade, and school became a breeze after that. I became self-assured, and successful. I wish I'd had this book when I was struggling with those things... I might have been more confident from the start!

For the reviewer concerned that parents would delay help for their children, I doubt a kid's book would have that effect. Parents can tell when something is wrong, and one children's book is going to sway them from taking action!

Oh, and the big bonus... the illustrations are darling, and classic 1970's renderings. The words are absolutely heartwarming!

Rating:
Summary: a kid's book for parents
Review: My son has high-functioning autism, and I agree with the previous reviewer that this book can be dangerously lulling to parents who are in denial and don't pursue a proper diagnosis for their child merely because they've read this book. However, I also know that, at age 7, my own boy finds it encouraging and loves to read it. So, maybe a good idea would be for the publisher to add some information to the book explaining what does and doesn't constitute significant developmental delay. This would be useful information for both parents and educators, especially since the incidence/diagnosis of developmental disabilities is on an alarming increase.

I also feel there is some merit in encouraging other children to be tolerant and respectful of differences in development, and this book can be useful in that regard as well. :-)

Rating:
Summary: We Really Liked This Book!
Review: Since 1971 the delightful story of Leo the tiger, and proverbial late bloomer, has been charming children and adults. The story of Leo is the story of many a child. He does not speak, or eat nicely. He does not draw or do anything particularly well. This comes as a bit of a concern to Leo's pop, but him mother reassures him that in time Leo will "bloom". The story in and of itself could be made or broken by the illustrations. Put into the wrong hands, this story could easily have been drawn in a syrupy ooey-gooey mentality. There is a definite danger of cutesiness. Illustrator Jose Aruego, however, never allows this to happen. You've not seen such a sad little tiger cub as Leo. In beautiful scenes of subtlety and oomph, Leo's environment, friends, and parents are rendered in interesting and unique ways. The colors are lovely and evocative. And the emotions of the characters are perfect. Every stripe on Leo's body is an undulating shade of purple. Aruego has advanced watercolor to the next level, creating a book that is (no doubt about it) art. If you like art, or watercolors, or cute tiger cubs, then you won't want to miss out on this sweet little number, "Leo the Late Bloomer".

Rating:
Summary: Tiger tiger burning bright
Review: Since 1971 the delightful story of Leo the tiger, and proverbial late bloomer, has been charming children and adults. The story of Leo is the story of many a child. He does not speak, or eat nicely. He does not draw or do anything particularly well. This comes as a bit of a concern to Leo's pop, but him mother reassures him that in time Leo will "bloom". The story in and of itself could be made or broken by the illustrations. Put into the wrong hands, this story could easily have been drawn in a syrupy ooey-gooey mentality. There is a definite danger of cutesiness. Illustrator Jose Aruego, however, never allows this to happen. You've not seen such a sad little tiger cub as Leo. In beautiful scenes of subtlety and oomph, Leo's environment, friends, and parents are rendered in interesting and unique ways. The colors are lovely and evocative. And the emotions of the characters are perfect. Every stripe on Leo's body is an undulating shade of purple. Aruego has advanced watercolor to the next level, creating a book that is (no doubt about it) art. If you like art, or watercolors, or cute tiger cubs, then you won't want to miss out on this sweet little number, "Leo the Late Bloomer".

Rating:
Summary: A real flower. Simple and straightforward.
Review: Such a nice way to say "everyone on his own time" without having to spell it out. Jose Aruego's paintings are colorfull, happy and full of expressions. They tell the story and accompany the simple, yet very clever text: "Patience" said Leo's mother "a watched bloomer doesn't bloom"....and the drawing shows Leo's father trying not to watch behind the couch... lovely to read and to look at.

Rating:
Summary: Can't do anything right?
Review: The book begins by saying Leo couldn't do anything right. What child can't identify with the frustrations of not being able to accomplish what someone else accomplishes? Many children generalize and say they can't do anything right when they met with failures. This book is encouraging for any child, regular or special education. Another book to use with this one is Little Lemon - Activities for Developing Motivation and Memory Skills by Betsy B. Lee. It has a story, song, discussion questions, and lessons to help develop learning strategies by giving specific techniques. Leo, the Late Bloomer does not give this kind of instruction but it is very encouraging and a big help.

Rating:
Summary: Use This Book to Boost Your Child's Self Esteem
Review: This is a great book that I like to read to my first graders on the morning of the first day of school. The illustrations are colorful and leave room for the reader to ask comprehension questions while reading. It's a terrific read-aloud, especially on the first day of school when students are nervous about starting the new year.

I value this book most of all because it allows students to understand that it's okay if they can't do everything that their classmates do. We grow in our own good time, but sometimes a five or six year old can't understand why they can't do what the girl across the room does regularly. This book can help alleviate those concerns, leading to greater self esteem on the part of the child. As a teacher, in my opinion this is the best aspect of the book. If you teach kindergarten or first grade, or if you have children of your own at that level, this is a great book to boost their self esteem.

However, I caution you that this is not a book that you should rely on if you are the parent of a special needs child. This is a wonderful read-aloud children's book, especially for special needs children, but it is not a resource guide for parents and should not be viewed as such.

Rating:
Summary: Use This Book to Boost Your Child's Self Esteem
Review: This is a great book that I like to read to my first graders on the morning of the first day of school. The illustrations are colorful and leave room for the reader to ask comprehension questions while reading. It's a terrific read-aloud, especially on the first day of school when students are nervous about starting the new year.

I value this book most of all because it allows students to understand that it's okay if they can't do everything that their classmates do. We grow in our own good time, but sometimes a five or six year old can't understand why they can't do what the girl across the room does regularly. This book can help alleviate those concerns, leading to greater self esteem on the part of the child. As a teacher, in my opinion this is the best aspect of the book. If you teach kindergarten or first grade, or if you have children of your own at that level, this is a great book to boost their self esteem.

However, I caution you that this is not a book that you should rely on if you are the parent of a special needs child. This is a wonderful read-aloud children's book, especially for special needs children, but it is not a resource guide for parents and should not be viewed as such.

Rating:
Summary: We Really Liked This Book!
Review: This story is about Leo who isn't good at a lot of things. One day he can do the things he couldn't do before. He needed time to be good at differnt things. We liked this story because Leo didn't think he was good at anything, but he felt really proud of himself in the end.