I Do Not Like That Name started out fun, but the ending was rushed and flat. Erin McGill’s characters want an elephant and they can send in cereal box tops to get one. When the elephant finally arrives, it has no name. A quick rundown on how Sophia (a girl) and Herb (a rabbit) got them name happens. An even quick pick of the elephant’s name follows. Then end.
Um. Okay. Next?
McGill does have some cute illustrations that are fun to browse. Herb has a special place in my heart as he reminds me of the rabbit in the Rankin-Bass movie, Frosty the Snowman and I had a stuffed, purple goat toy named Herb as a child. But other than that, nothing stood out for me. I told you the story. Oh, I left out a few details (the how Sophia and Herb got their own names) but that, in the end is not important. What is important is there is no action There is little story. There is nothing that makes this book jump out and say NEW FAVOIRTE BOOK. Or even, this is a book I really liked.
Several illustrations and the tone of the story reminded me of the Charlie And Lola series by Lauren Child. Especially the illustrations. The tone has a less European and more American feel to it. I am wondering if most of my issues with I Do Not Like That Name comes from the fact it sounds like it is a sequel/companion to I Do Not Like Al’s Hat, as Herb seems to be a featured character in that (and I have not read it). I am thinking perhaps a reading of both back-to-back might improve my thought process.
What could have started out as something that could have just had more umph, turned into something that was a book that will not be on my re-read list