Yuck, A Love Story

Austin has a problem: a girl named Amy has moved in next door. He claims to have no interest in his new neighbor, but his actions suggest otherwise. Through increasingly elaborate schemes, Austin attempts to catch Amy's attention while maintaining his stance that girls are "yucky." His efforts include donning superhero attire, constructing massive art projects, and even attempting to capture the Moon as a birthday gift. Marie-Louise Gay's watercolor illustrations bring the story's whimsical elements to life, complementing Gillmor's narrative about childhood crushes. The book explores the complex emotions of early attraction and the common childhood phase of claiming to dislike the opposite gender while simultaneously seeking their approval and friendship.

Parents and children enjoy this book's humor about a boy who changes his mind about girls. Readers note it helps address childhood crushes and anti-girl attitudes in a lighthearted way. Liked: - Marie Nemeth calls the illustrations "expressive and hilarious" - Parents appreciate how it validates children's changing feelings - Teachers report it engages both boys and girls in classroom discussions Disliked: - Some find the "girls are yucky" theme reinforces negative stereotypes - A few reviewers mention the story is predictable - Criticism that it focuses too much on physical appearance Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (18 reviews) Chapters/Indigo: 5/5 (3 reviews) Reading level recommendations vary - most suggest ages 4-8, though some note the concept works better with slightly older children who can understand the humor of changing attitudes toward the opposite sex.

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson A young boy learns to transform an enemy into a friend through an unexpected recipe from his father.

The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber A monster discovers his identity beyond his meanness when the "M" in his name disappears.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems A monster fails at scaring others and finds his true purpose in making friends.

A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems Two friends navigate a misunderstanding that leads to an unexpected connection with someone different.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt A box of crayons express their frustrations to their owner, leading to acceptance of differences.

🌟 Author Don Gillmor is an accomplished Canadian writer who has won multiple awards, including the Governor General's Literary Award for his adult non-fiction work. 🎨 Illustrator Marie-Louise Gay is renowned for her distinctive watercolor style and has illustrated over 60 children's books throughout her career. 💕 The book was inspired by real-life observations of how young children often express their first crushes through contradictory behaviors - claiming to dislike someone while simultaneously seeking their attention. 🦖 The dinosaur sculptures mentioned in the story reflect a common childhood interest, as approximately 50% of young children go through a "dinosaur phase" during their early development. 🎭 The superhero elements in the book tap into a storytelling tradition that dates back to the 1930s, when superhero comics first became popular with young readers as a way to explore themes of identity and courage.