This was a cute book about you being you. Always be yourself and don't let others drag you down. I loved the art. super super cute. Loved it.

This was a cute little book, reminded me a lot of William Steig, Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak. It's got a fun little nuance to it regarding appearance and sense of self. It's gross and exactly what I have come to expect from David Sedaris. Little kids love gross things, so I think this would be very well received at the elementary school level especially.

This was not my favorite, but can appreciate the humor/message. Interesting illustrations which make the story come alive.

Loving and accepting our bodies as they are is a concern for many people of all ages. "Pretty Ugly" by David Sedaris portrays another way of thinking about this problem. Instead of characters who are influenced by what we consider to be "stereotypical" beauty standards, we find ones who are happy being who they are. Throughout the story, readers may connect with the main protagonist as they learn to love themselves in their own skin.

This very funny story is about a girl who makes a face and turns so hideous, that she locks herself in the shed. Except that the face she's stuck with is actually pretty cute and one she started with, not so much. Her problem solving strategy is pretty awful. This is probably a picture book best for bigger kids, because the literal thinking little kids are going to be completely freaked out.

I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. Pretty Ugly is a pretty funny book about a monster who turns pretty when really she wants to be scary.

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris is a beautifully gross picture book that is currently scheduled for release on February 27 2024. Anna Van Ogre’s lovely monster face turns into that of a sickeningly adorable, rosy-cheeked little girl—and it’s not switching back! Can she find a way to stop looking like an ugly human and regain her gorgeous monstrosity of a face? The dynamic duo of nationally acclaimed comedian David Sedaris and renowned children's book author Ian Falconer comes together to ponder the perpetually relevant question: is true beauty really on the inside?

Pretty Ugly is a new look at several old adages. Our young hero finds out that when you are making silly, funny, or scary faces it really can stick that way. Even us parents thought it was made up and just an attempt to make the madness stop! I love the illustrations, and how poor Anna tries so hard to stop looking so darn cute. I also love her literal interpretation that beauty is on the inside. This is an all around fun book, with splendid illustrations, and I hope this will become a favorite for many, and that no one tries Anna's beauty secrets.

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris is an amusing picture book about a monster who is making faces and gets stuck as an adorable rosy cheeked girl. She struggles to find a way to get rid of her new hideous face and regain the beautiful monstrous complexion everyone loves. This story's humor is sure to be a hit with younger readers but it also helps readers ponder what they value as beautiful and where beauty can truly be found.

Thank you @Netgalley and @DavidSedaris for the ARC.

This was fun, but to be honest, I kind of expected more from the dream team pairing of Sedaris and Falconer . . . at least a few more pages anyway. It's a cute tale of a little girl who makes a face, and of course, just like mother always warned - it sticks that way. Of course, there's a twist, and, of course there's a swell gross-out ending that kids will love, and grownups will worry may cause permanent damage to their child's psyche.

I’m an avid David Sedaris reader, in fact, I’ve read more Sedaris than anything else. It’s my comfort reading when I need anything good in my life. Picture books are also my comfort reads, so imagine my delight when this came to my attention! I’ve never been more excited for a book in my life! Ian Falconer’s illustrations are superb, truly outstanding. He has always been a huge hit with me and my kids so paring up with Sedaris is just the icing on the cake for me. This story is short, but truly so great. It’s a fantastic twist on the “ don’t make that ugly face or it’ll stick” wives’ tale we all heard as kids, but with an even twistier ending.

Grossly wonderful! This book is certain to be a hit with young readers. It has all the ingredients of fun!
When Anna Von Ogre, the main character, becomes an ugly monster , children will be delighted to see the opposite of how beauty is defined in their world.
The illustrations are wonderful and simplistic. Everyone will be laughing at this one. The message of literally what's inside is what counts will certainly thrill young readers. Still laughing!

This is a great laugh out loud book to share with all ages. It turns the idea of what is considered beautiful on its head.

Anna Van Ogre was a delightful child - very much the ogre, She enjoyed pulling faces and her Gran told her to be careful else her face would stay that way. And after making the face of a young human girl, her face stays that way! It takes three days in the woodshed and remembering her Gran's saying that beauty is in the inside until Anna is her pretty ugly ogre self again, but, more beautiful.

Thanks to NetGalley and ToonBooks for my ARC in exchange, for my honest review. This book will be published February 27, 2024.

This is the 10th book I’ve read by David Sedaris, but I believe it’s his first children’s book. The illustrations by Ian Falconet are great; he’s the same illustrator of the popular Olivia series.

A monster makes a funny face and gets stuck with a human face! Oh no! Can she get her face back?
👹▶️👩‍🦰▶️😈

Cute for young kids. Takeaways could include “don’t make faces or you’ll get stuck that way” and beauty comes from the inside out.

#PrettyUgly

Pretty Ugly is charmingly-gross. It’s a super quick read and it delivered the message that beauty comes from within. I do, however, wish the book sent a clearer message to kids that it’s ok to be who you are, not just what everyone expects you to be. I could absolutely hear Sedaris’s voice in my head while reading this and it was fun to see him branch out into children’s fiction!

Thank you to Astra Publishing House and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC for review.

I had already read reviews about what happened in this book and I think that stunted the experience of it for me so at first I felt it was a bit too abrupt. But the more I thought about the more I just knew my kids would adore it! This will definitely be a storytime winner. Not just for the twist ending but also for the subversive ogre element.

Too clever for its own good. I love both Sedaris and Falconer, but I don't see this having much appeal.

Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris was an automatic read for me as a devoted fan of the popular humourist, and I was intrigued to see how his witty, often dry, observations would translate to a picture book for children. Well, I am pleased to say that David Sedaris and books for children seem to have been destined to collide. I love this simple, yet powerful, story about a young girl whose habit of making faces finally catches up with her, despite her family's warnings, and she is suddenly stuck with an appearance that, while not conventionally attractive to her monster family, is one that they will continue to love, because it really is what is on the inside that counts. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful, and I was saddened to learn of the talented Ian Falconer's passing. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for an ARC.

I don't think I'll be the only one to say this, but I love David Sedaris and had zero faith in his ability to write a really good picture book. And yet, this is a really good picture book. Funny, shocking, subversive without trying too hard. The late Ian Falconer is key in the success of this book, his illustrations are perfect and bring this weird little book to life, but David Sedaris can sure write a picture book. Adults will probably dislike this, but adults are wrong. This is a great, strange, weird little book.

Definitely Sedaris humor inside and out. I think this would make a great book gift for Sedaris fans who are parents.