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Books > Odd Weird & Little
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ISBN Hardcover 978-1606843741
ISBN Paperback 978-1606845684
CAROLRHODA BOOKS
Kirkus Best of 2014
Bank Street College's Best Book of the Year 2015
Cy-Fair Horned Toad Tales List 2015-2016
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award List 2015-2016
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award List 2017
Starred by KIRKUS REVIEWS:
"At last: a humorous, useful and pedantry-free book about bullying!
Woodrow and his classmates are surprised at the old-fashioned clothing and the tiny, delicate appearance of Toulouse, a newly arrived student from Canada. Is this Woodrow’s opportunity to pass his own victim status to someone else? Woodrow openly admits his acknowledged dorkiness, as in his fondness for “duck tape,” his hesitant speech patterns and that time he got chopsticks stuck in his throat pretending to be a badger. His first-person account of befriending someone even weirder than himself divulges such truths as school-playground hierarchies, adults’ proficiency or lack thereof at handling bullying behaviors, and “kid rules” that enable bullies. Woodrow risks regaining his place as top victim as he decides to befriend and protect Toulouse, who has drawn unwanted attention to himself with such anomalies as his bowler hats and his furry vomit. While enjoying every minute of Woodrow’s slow discovery that Toulouse is actually an owl—and the even more amazing fact that no one else reaches that conclusion—readers also learn about the psychology behind bullying and about self-empowerment. The rhythm of the prose is perfect for independent readers and for reading aloud; clever art, music and literature references add to the fun.
Jennings does not skip a beat as he builds realistic relationships and problem-solving around an outrageously funny premise." Vicky Smith, Children's & Teen Editor
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL says:
Toulouse Hulot, a new kid in school from Quebec, wears dapper outfits, carries a briefcase, and even uses a quill pen to write his lessons. He is a talented painter and musician, an accomplished fly fisherman, and the victim of the class bully and his henchman. His only friend is Woodrow, who shares his love of fishing and finally becomes the one to stand up to the mean kids and ultimately see Toulouse for who he really is. Woodrow is a most unlikely narrator, one who embraces his own nerdiness and stammers through most of his conversations. Fans of Jennings's Guinea Dog (Egmont USA, 2010) will find this a delightful book, one that stands with classics such as Avi's Poppy (Orchard, 1995). A remarkable story and a great read-aloud.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY says:
"Ten-year-old Woodrow Schwette is the weirdest kid in his class until quiet, tiny, suit-wearing Toulouse Gulot shows up by way of Quebec. Jennings (My Homework Ate My Homework) creates a sympathetic underdog in Woodrow, a boy all too used to being relentlessly teased by class bullies Garrett and Hubcap, whose casual cruelty will likely make some readers shudder with recognition. Woodrow must decide if he will stand aside while Toulouse—with his 'old-man hat,' 'wide, round eyes,' and vocabulary that’s initially limited to the word 'Who'—becomes the bullies’ new punching bag, or if he will stand up for his new friend. Jennings gives Woodrow a relatable voice and laces the story with clues that hint at the twist that is confirmed in the book’s final chapters....It’s a warm and funny story about being true to oneself and standing up for what’s right."
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS says:
"When a tiny, wide-eyed kid wearing a hat and a bow tie walks into class, ten-year-old Woodrow is unsure whether to try to befriend a fellow outcast or be grateful that Garrett, the class bully, may have a new target. Toulouse Hulot, the new kid, turns out to have a knack for wood-working and reading, two of Woodrow’s favorite pastimes, and Woodrow makes a pal of Toulouse. Garrett’s bullying does escalate as a result, especially after Toulouse vomits up what appears to be a furry rodent in class. With Toulouse at his side, however, Woodrow doesn’t find Garrett nearly as intimidating, and although the new kid doesn’t say much other than 'who' and nod, his moral support is enough to make Woodrow stand his ground, overcome his stutter (at least temporarily), and tell the bully off. Those familiar with Jennings's Guinea Dog (BCCB 6/10) will recognize the author’s tendency to inject the ordinary with the absurd; the owl-in-disguise element here is surprisingly effective, taking a standard tale of an underdog’s triumph and giving it a charming weirdness that reaffirms the value of being a bit odd. Simple sentence structure and Woodrow’s conversational tone make this easily accessible to newly independent readers, while Woodrow’s astute observations of school dynamics—the difference between rules made by the adults and rules made by kids, the dog-eat-dog world of the playground—will likely strike a chord with plenty of kids who worry about their not-so-normalness."