My Cousin Momo

by Zachariah OHora

Overview

Zachariah OHora's distinctive retro art and kid-friendly humor take the stage in this story about accepting and celebrating differences.

Momo is coming to visit, and his cousins are SO excited! But even though Momo is a flying squirrel, he won't fly for his cousin’s friends. Plus, his games are weird. He can't even play hide and seek right! But when Momo's cousins give his strange ways a chance, they realize that doing things differently can be fun...almost as much fun as making a new friend.

Fans of Peter Brown and Bob Shea will fall in love with Zachariah OHora’s bold artwork and hilarious characters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101993903
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/02/2015
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	86 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Zachariah OHora’s work has appeared in numer­ous publications, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Bloomberg Business Week, and on posters and record covers. He lives and works in Narberth, Pennsylvania, with his wife and sons. Visit his website (zohora.com) and follow him on Twitter @ZachariahOHora.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

No Fits, Nilson! is the The Huffington Post's Best Picture Book of 2013, Kirkus Reviews’ Best Picture Book of 2013, the Please Touch Museum’s Kids Choice Book for 2014, a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing, and the winner of the 2014 Carolyn W. Field Award!

* "Foot-stomping fit pitchers will take multiple timeouts for this amusing modern fable." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A visual feast as well as a treat to the ear, this is a book that’s going to find an audience no matter where it goes." - Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Review of the Day

"OHora’s rough, woodcutlike acrylic paintings are a delight, and there are quirky details to be savored everywhere...Nilson’s (and Amelia’s) struggle to behave will leave a lasting impression." - Publishers Weekly

"OHora’s acrylic illustrations evince a crispness of finish, smoothness of color, and strength of black line that suggests particularly lively woodcuts, and a streamlined retro palette...enhances the graphic strength." - Bulletin of Center for Children's Books

Stop Snoring, Bernard! won the 2011 Society of Illustrator's Founder's Award and was the Pennsylvania One Book Selection for 2012.

Editorial Reviews

04/13/2015
The furry squirrel who narrates OHora’s tale has told everyone that his visiting cousin Momo can fly. It’s true—Momo is a flying squirrel—but when he arrives, he proves to be a tubby, shy fellow. With enormous eyes, a striped headband, and a camera strapped around his neck, Momo is a clear outsider; worse, his idea of playing superheroes is to dress up as a gigantic muffin. “That doesn’t even make sense,” says the narrator’s younger sister in disgust. Momo knows he’s being snubbed; in a sad moment, he packs his bag, tears running down his face. The squirrel siblings repent and try things Momo’s way, joining him as pastry superheroes (“Pastry Power!”). OHora (No Fits, Nilson!) could paint stones in the street and make them funny. He often gets laughs from visually adorable characters whose emotions are at odds with their fuzzy cuteness; when the squirrel siblings set their faces in icy glares and curl their furry fists, the effect is delicious. Momo’s Mary Poppins–style departure is a quiet delight, too. Ages 3–5. Agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Picture books with hip, quirky illustrations that are not just funny but also have plenty of heart are hard to find. The stylish “My Cousin Momo” by Zachariah OHora has it all."—The Boston Globe

"OHora's story soars, encouraging acceptance and being true to yourself."—Kirkus Reviews

"OHora could paint stones in the street and make them funny."—Publishers Weekly

"Many children will relate to Momo’s situation as he faces new surroundings and experiences and will be relieved when his cousins finally accept him for who he is."—School Library Journal

"Fun details—like Momo’s tiny camera and his cousin’s superhero bat costume—will delight. A fab offering."—Booklist

"Librarians and parents will delight in the lightly played theme of approaching the unfamiliar with an open mind."—The Horn Book

"Many kids have experienced the visitor whose reality differs from the fantasy, and the book could encourage youngsters to work through their disappointment to find the value in the genuine."—BCCB

From the Publisher

04/01/2015
PreS-K—When a flying squirrel arrives for a visit with relatives, carrying his suitcase, wearing a camera around his neck, and sporting a pink T-shirt and aqua-and-yellow running shoes, he fails to impress his two cousins and their many forest friends. He's too shy to fly for them, and he doesn't know how to play superheroes, hide-and-seek, or acorn-pong. The cousins are frustrated by Momo's behavior (one cousin kicks a mushroom), but when they follow their parents' advice to "Give him some time" and "Just make him feel welcome," they modify the rules of their games so Momo feels included. OHora's stylized illustrations are humorous (Momo dresses as "Muffin Man" when playing superheroes) and touching (he cries as he packs his suitcase, wanting to go home). VERDICT Many children will relate to Momo's situation as he faces new surroundings and experiences and will be relieved when his cousins finally accept him for who he is.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

School Library Journal

2015-03-17
Momo's cousins are excited for his visit, but they have trouble figuring out how to play with him until they accept him on his own terms. Momo arrives with his world-traveling suitcase and a friendly smile. He's a flying squirrel, but he won't show off his skills for his cousins' forest friends. Mom and Dad are full of good advice: "Give him some time"; "Just make him feel welcome!" Momo tries to join in his cousins' games, but nothing works out right. When they suggest playing superheroes, he dresses up as a giant pink Muffin Man. He even messes up hide-and-seek! When his cousins get angry, a tearful Momo packs his bags, leading his cousins to think "maybe we had gone too far." Strong lines, bold, matte colors, and crisp white space focus the attention on the characters' feelings. OHora uses spare language and expressive figures, giving young readers room to reflect on the squirrel cousins' actions. The turning point, when the cousins realize how they have hurt Momo, takes place in a wonderful wordless spread. Soon the cousins realize that trying out new things can actually be a lot of fun. OHora's story soars, encouraging acceptance and being true to yourself. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews