Editorial Review

Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" Despite his resolve to stay young, one day he notices a patch of green spreading down the length of his body. Verdi does everything he can think of to erase this first sign of the inevitable tide of age. But in his frenzy of youthful, Icarus-like bravado, he nearly kills himself. Finally, Verdi learns that even though he can't stop the aging process, green skin won't keep him from being a fun-loving, young-at-heart, figure-eight-forming snake. Read more

Reviews (39)

verdi good!, but not stellaluna
My 7 1/2 yr old 2nd grade daughter & I read Stellaluna off her summer reading list.I had heard of/seen this book around, but it had never grabbed me.I was quite surprized at the fabulous illustrations, the story that draws you in, & the author's ability to make a bat lovable.I was eager to read Verdi, expecting the same experience.I thought the story was OK & the illustrations beautiful, but the story itself lacked depth to me.The young whippersnapper & wise old sage qualities hit me as being more relevant to an adult reader.Children can not adequately appreciate the age contrast, & how quickly time passes, & how we all become more boring & old than oiur young minds thought we would.Curiously, my daughter liked Verdi as well, if not better than Stellaluna.To each his own - read & see what you think.

excellent book!
This book not only has beautiful illustrations but also tells the tale of growing up from a child's perspective (well, a snake's...).Our three year old LOVES it!It also gives a glimpse into life in the tropics which for our Minnesota boy is exotic!Thumbs up!

verdi
I like this book because the color of the snake eyes.This is a fun book for all ages to read and enjoy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Old age    6. Pythons    7. Snakes    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Adolescence   

Editorial Review

Meet Verdi the python. His motto: "I will never be lazy, boring or green!" No worry there. Drenched in a delicious banana-yellow and sporting a puppet-style mouth with a forked felt tongue, this smooth 32-inch snake slithers off the pages of Janell Cannon's beloved bestseller Read more

Reviews (2)

Great companion to the book
As I mentioned in my book review of "Verdi," I volunteer to read with children at the local library. Since "Verdi" is such a popular choice, I picked up this adorable stuffed animal of Verdi to take along to the library. Let me just say that the kids love him and he is a great companion to our read-a-longs. Excellent childrens book with beautiful illustrations.
The story of Verdi is a great way to introduce children tothe topic of"What do you want to be when you grow up?"The reading is fairlyeasy and the illustrations will keep their attention.Verdi is a typicalchild that doesn't want to be like everyone else.Through Verdi'sexperience we see that we are only as much as we allow ourselves to be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Plush Toys & Animals    2. Non-Classifiable    3. Novelty    4. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Plush Toys & Animals    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Non-Classifiable    6. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians   

Reviews (1)

Verdi
I really liked this book. it has really great pictures and is fun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. General