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Not Yeti

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New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and celebrated illustrator Claire Keane have created an irresistible new monster!

Monsters are loud. And rude. They like to smash things and they always need to be right. But not Yeti. Yeti bakes banana bread and sings to whales and always has a nice word to say. But sometimes you find yourself alone when you're different. And Yeti doesn't know there's a special surprise in store for him.

New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and celebrated illustrator Claire Keane have created a lovable new character who always chooses kindness, no matter what the other monsters say.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2021

4 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Kelly DiPucchio

55 books261 followers
Kelly is the award-winning author of several children’s books, thousands of To-Do lists, and a few recipe cards. Two of her books, Grace For President and The Sandwich Swap, were New York Times bestsellers.

Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.

Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.

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5 stars
106 (24%)
4 stars
154 (36%)
3 stars
145 (34%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Kathryn.
4,784 reviews
October 30, 2021
I loved this book so much it it's hard to write a review. The message that it is better to be yourself by yourself than someone else with someone else is so well told. It also beautifully conveys the message of dear Mr. Rogers, People can like you exactly the way you are! It came along at the perfect time for our family, so maybe I wouldn't have felt so strongly about it had I read it another time--for many of you it might only be a four star, or maybe even three star book. But, it was five stars for me, now. It's all about staying true to yourself, a theme we've heard so many times in picture books, but it felt so fresh and honest, somehow. You see, Yeti really wishes he had more friends... but the other monsters just don't do things he likes to do (and sometimes do thinks he knows he shouldn't do!). I think that longing to be part of a crowd (even if it's not really the crowd you'd choose for yourself) is conveyed so deftly, and I appreciate the part that shows Yeti trying to join in (going against his true nature) and how that isn't successful, it doesn't make him happy. That restlessness and discontent is well done. But, the book is also a celebration. I love that there is a peacefulness and joy about Yeti when he stays true to himself, when he follows his own pursuits... even if they are just his on-his-own. And I loved the ending. Too often in picture books, the "shy" kid has some profound change to becoming an extrovert (as if there was something inherently wrong with being an introvert) or miraculously all the other kids decide he's amazing and everyone is friends, the end. I find that too unrealistic. I much prefer an ending like this, because it shows that there is a kindred spirit out there who will like you just the way you are, but you have to stay true to yourself to find that person. I think most any child who has felt that tug-of-war about wanting to play with certain kids who aren't a good fit, even though it's unfulfilling, will find a kindred spirit, and source of comfort, in Yeti.
*Note, the word "Crud" is used once. I would have preferred a bit softer word choice, though it didn't mar the book for me, but I wanted to point this out as I know some families might find it objectionable.
Profile Image for Peacegal.
11.7k reviews102 followers
May 26, 2021
A delight! I read this with a growing smile. Yeti is proof that no matter who you are, you can turn around your habits and choose to be kind and helpful rather than destructive and uncaring--even if you're surrounded by monsters! A great message about being true to yourself and being nice, told with genuine humor and creativity.
Profile Image for Sarah Verno.
199 reviews19 followers
September 23, 2021
This Yeti is a gem. He’s kind, generous, and inclusive. He looks for the good in others (even when they show him the bad), and he throws parties for everyone when he feels left out. Solid citizen, that Yeti.
Profile Image for Milton Public Library.
906 reviews23 followers
May 22, 2021
Yeti is not like all the other monsters. Most of the other monsters are loud and destructive, rampaging and wild. Yeti enjoys encouraging others, helping others, and treating others with kindness. Because he is so different, Yeti is left feeling lonely and left out of all the other monsters' fun. In the end, Yeti learns that kindness does win and that it rewards you in unexpected ways.

I loved the message that love wins! My daughter loved the illustrations and story alike. It is a fun addition to our reading routine and definitely recommend!

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
Profile Image for Mary Hamer.
150 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2021
We just love Kelly DiPucchio and this book made our hearts smile. Yeti is not like the other monsters. He loves to bake cakes - not wear them. Create - not break. He tries to act like the other monsters, but it just isn’t him. So he decides to do what he loves and pursues what ignites his soul. Not only does he make new friends that love him for who he is - he also finds a monster buddy with the same passions. Readers will find themselves paging back through the story to find Betty who was in the background noticing Yeti all along. ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you to Edelweiss for this review copy!
Profile Image for Molly Cluff (Library!).
2,491 reviews50 followers
June 15, 2021
Cute little Yeti feels like he doesn't fit in with monsters--who are typically loud, mean, and gross. He is soft-spoken and tenderhearted (and I love how the illustration style depicts him). This felt more like a series of charming vignettes than a complete narrative, but there are some cute and funny lines throughout. The other monsters were so mean to Yeti that I'm glad he didn't care much about their opinions of him in the end.
Profile Image for Cathy Ogren.
193 reviews13 followers
June 21, 2021
This is a sweet story of Yeti, a very special monster who chooses kindness over being loud and obnoxious like the other monsters. In the end, he finds that kindness to others comes around full circle. It pays to be kind!
Profile Image for Brittney.
227 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2022
Super cute book, and I love how sweet Yeti is. This book is all about being ok with being different and finding your people ❤️
Profile Image for Michaela Davenport.
99 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2022
This book was *so* cute. Yeti decided to be a better (nicer) monster and make things instead of break them. He listened to nature, and liked to bake. He didn't let the other monsters change his mind or attitude, their words just rolled off his shoulders and he continued to be himself. I loved this book so so much.
Profile Image for Viviane Elbee.
Author 4 books60 followers
August 27, 2021
Great book about being kind, even if the world is full of monsters.
Profile Image for Zahro.
162 reviews3 followers
October 25, 2024
Monster paling ceria dan baik hati. Agak laen emang.
Profile Image for Claire.
3,439 reviews45 followers
February 3, 2025
I love Yeti. Actually, all the monsters are pretty cute. This is a great story. I love that Yeti just woke up one day and decided he would rather create than destroy and that's what he did. Others didn't understand and that's ok too. Yeti found his peace and a like-minded friend.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,515 reviews14 followers
February 7, 2025
It is better to be yourself than buckling under pressure to fit in.
Loved Yeti and his libraries, his bow-tie, record collection, as well as his party with his whale, turtle and penguin friends.
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,791 reviews71 followers
June 26, 2021
Yeti is a nice monster but he wasn’t always nice. He was once just like all his other monster friends: loud, making messes, being mean, just being a monster. Then, one day he changed. He found that he liked doing good things and “Yeti spent plenty of time alone…but he wasn’t lonely.” What a great statement!

This book has some great lessons inside it for children that I really liked. Yeti may have changed but his friends haven’t. Yeti notices that his friends don’t seem to appreciate the new Yeti, now what? When Yeti makes new friends, he still runs into his old friends. Yeti must learn to deal with this difference in behavior, which is a great learning experience for all. Does Yeti miss his old friends? Sure, I loved how Yeti dealt with this.

I enjoyed this book and the ending is sweet. The illustrations are colorful and the black outlines on each item on the page make the pictures pop. 4 stars
Profile Image for Ashley.
519 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2021
Yeti is not like all the other monsters. Most of the other monsters are loud and destructive, rampaging and wild. Yeti enjoys encouraging others, helping others, and treating others with kindness. Because he is so different, Yeti is left feeling lonely and left out of all the other monsters' fun. In the end, Yeti learns that kindness does win and that it rewards you in unexpected ways.

I loved the message that love wins! My daughter loved the illustrations and story alike. It is a fun addition to our reading routine and definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Jared White.
1,384 reviews36 followers
July 1, 2021
The pictures and text are both quite adorable and I laughed out loud a few times. At the end of the book, I wanted to clap. Overall, just a very cute book about an atypical monster who eventually meets his match. *Spoiler* She was there along, it was fun to go back through the book to see all the times she was around and watching as Yeti grew and changed.
1,490 reviews6 followers
June 14, 2021
This might actually deserve 5 stars.....as it is really fun to read. Lots of bright fun colors & drawings....I bet this would be a blast to read to/share with a little one! And a sweet message to boot!
Profile Image for Diana.
821 reviews10 followers
August 4, 2021
very sweet. yeti isn't like other monsters. he doesn't like breaking things or yelling or being rude. yeti likes to crochet sweaters for pengins, sing back to the whales, and bake banana bread. the rest of the monsters have a loud boisterous party so yeti decides to have his own party
3,253 reviews13 followers
October 6, 2021
It took another reviewer for me to realize that Betty was there the whole time! That brought the book's message to another level for me. I've got a lot of Grimaces and Lloyds in my first grade classes this year. They could stand to hear this story and discuss it.
Profile Image for Robin.
4,485 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2021
To thine own self be true. The nice monster doesn't get invited to the big monster bash but wins anyway.
Profile Image for Dylan Teut.
400 reviews146 followers
June 4, 2021
Felt a bit of Dahl's "BFG" vibes (in a good way).
Profile Image for mehrnoush.
57 reviews10 followers
August 27, 2021
this book was soooo adorable! i would definitely befriend yeti. the illustrations and the colour scheme rly tied everything together nicely
Profile Image for Katie Fitzgerald.
Author 30 books253 followers
December 18, 2021
Most monsters are scary, loud and mean, but Not Yeti, who prefers quieter, gentler activities.

The pictures in this book feel very fast-paced and busy, as though they are in constant motion. Quick messy lines portray various physical movements, both of Yeti and his mean monster counterparts. Many pages incorporate speech bubbles which might make reading the book aloud a little bit complicated. Some pages have panels that may also be too difficult to make out at much of a distance.

Clever title aside, I won't read this book aloud myself because it has a character in it named Itchy Bottom. I think it would have been possible to get across that the other monsters are gross and obnoxious without resorting to cheap bathroom humor. If someone were to read this to an audience, I think lower elementary kids are probably the most likely to enjoy it. I could see it as a potential read-aloud to establish a classroom policy of kindness, for example.

On its face, the point of this book seems to be that peace and love are the answers to everything and opting out of violent and negative behavior is a sign of goodness and strength. Yeti is a bit like Ferdinand, in that he prefers to do his own thing in his own way. There is a part of me, though, that wondered whether there was a secondary message to the book. Yeti is a monster, and yet he chooses to reject everything monsters do and essentially reinvent what a monster is. I didn't like the feeling that I was being led to accept that anyone can be anything they want, and that the identity we're born with can be rejected at will. I admit that I may be reading way more into this than is there, but it was a weird creeping feeling that made the book not sit quite right with me.

I received a finished review copy of Not Yeti from Viking in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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