[.ca] Verdi (ISBN 0152010289)

From Amazon.com:
Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" Despite his resolve to stay young, one day he notices a patch of green spreading down the length of his body. Verdi does everything he can think of to erase this first sign of the inevitable tide of age. But in his frenzy of youthful, Icarus-like bravado, he nearly kills himself. Finally, Verdi learns that even though he can't stop the aging process, green skin won't keep him from being a fun-loving, young-at-heart, figure-eight-forming snake. Janell Cannon's illustrations are exquisite. As in her award-winning Stellaluna, not only are the animal drawings painstakingly accurate, they are also awash with movement and beauty. The countless shades of greeny-yellow and yellowy-green have the effect of a cool eye compress for the reader--calming, inviting, and enticing readers to reach into the lush environment of the pages. Verdi's lesson is never didactic, always compelling, and pleasantly surprising. (Ages 4 and older)

a great book about growing up and being yourself:
Verdi is a young yellow python who doesn't understand why the adult (green) pythons are such killjoys. He is playful and daring, until he hurts himself doing a stunt. The older pythons help nurse him back to health, while Verdi learns that once they, too were young and wild like he was. The book is marvelous. It is extremely readable for young (3 - 6) year olds, and the art work is beautiful, with vivid colors and expressive characters (even for a snake!). Best of all, the story line is appropriate, with a message that is easily understood (be yourself; we were all young once) without being preachy. A wonderful children's book.

Soon to be a favorite!!:
This book will become a favorite for many children, as it was for my child. Its vivid illustrations are tremendously life-like. Children will feel a kinship with the young snake's tribulations about growing up. It has a strong emphasis on Personality Development. It is like a "coming of age" story where a child does not want to grow up but finds it happens anyway. As much as Verdi the young snake tried to seek independence from adults, he learned that he still needed the warmth and security from the adults in his life. Social Development skills could also be learned from Verdi as he began to understand the adult pythons' points of views. When Verdi gave them a chance, he realized the adults were quite amazing.

Great!:
Once a week I volunteer to read books with children at the local library. "Verdi" by Janell Cannon is one of the most popular choices (Ms. Cannon's "Stellaluna" is also highly popular). It seems that children of all ages enjoy this book about a little yellow snake who doesn't want to grow up and become a boring green adult. As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a great coming of age story. We always discuss the books after reading them and after reading "Verdi," the kids always say something like "even adults were young once" or that "you can still have fun when you're a grown up." I also must comment on the illustrations, as they are exquisite - so colorful and detailed. Everyone just loves looking through this book again and again.

Family favorite!:
My son LOVES this story. We have checked it out from the library a dozen times and every time he craves more. Now he will have a copy of his own! A story of a young snake who doesn't want to grow up because the green (adult) snakes are boring. A wonderful tale of how it's the spirit inside one who gets old, not just by changing colors (or growing older!) Verdi maintains his adventurous humor while growing up without even realizing it! LOVE IT!

Exceptional!:
Janell Cannon is the queen of children's books. Her stories are heart warming and illustrations are beyond compare. I have purchased this book numerous times for gifts (along with the stunning "Stellaluna") and it has always been well received. Kids just love how colorful and exquisite Ms. Cannon's books are! In "Verdi" we have a young python who doesn't want to grow up. He vows to always be free spirited and never boring like the adults he knows. When he hurts himself doing a silly stunt, he learns that the adults were once as young and carefree as he is and that age doesn't affect your spirit. "Verdi" is truly a wonderful coming of age story that will have you wanting to read it again and again. It is listed here as a book for first to third graders, but I feel it goes much beyond that due to the fantastic art work and sweet story line.