Customer Reviews

Leo The Late Bloomer

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4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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".

This was a wonderful story and my kids loved it. No matter what his mom always knew he would bloom one day. While his father and everyone was in doubt he mom believed in him. She knew that one day everyone blooms but not everyone will at the same time. When he does he is happy and so is everyone else. I loved this book!

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.

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.

While Leo's Dad watches and waits for the blooming, Leo is learning and growing at his own pace. He will eat neatly when he is ready, and not one moment before. An important aspect is that Leo is not passive, he is depicted beautifully watching and playing and getting comfortable in his world. I recognize similarities in my own life and in my children as they grow. All that stuff kids do that isn't walking, isn't talking, isn't really drawing etc, is critically important to acquiring those skills, and sometimes it is hard for us parents to recognize this. But we need to recognize and participate in these essential preliminaries, I think especially for children who might be delayed and need our intervention.

I have a lot of problems with this book as do many of the parents that I know who have Special Needs Children. Many of us were given this book when we thought that our child might be delayed in some way by well meaning people as a way to reassure us. Some people might read this book and think that time alone will allow their child to catch up. Perhaps it well, but if the child really does have special needs, Early Intervention by experts is imperative. Often times Early Intervention by qualified Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists can correct problems that otherwise will be lifelong learning disabilities for the child. I fear that many parents reading this book may delay in getting their child the help that they need because they really want to believe that all will be well in time. I feel that this is not in the best interest of the child.

As a 25-yr old MBA student having no child, you might think it is wierd for me to comment on this book.

However, I do love this book not for the children development part---which is really important BTW--- but for in fact I do believe everyone could be a late bloomer in any aspect.

For example, a student doing a first-tiered MBA program can be a real GOOD-FOR-NOTHING in fields except for business.

And the growing pain.....

In the end, everyone is an individual in herself. On the other hand, being the smartest person(EARLY Bloomer) in the circle of friends can make you even more lonely as a matter of fact.

The ideal storybook for children having difficulty coping with their maturity. This is the story of Leo, a lion that had a hard time reading,writing, getting along with friends. In his own right time, Leo does all the things his friends can do and more. There is hope for the late-blooming child. Leo is the inner child in all of us. Praise Leo for his gifts!