Normal Norman

The unnamed narrator of this book is a young girl who is assigned to define the word, “Normal.” In order to do this, she has a team of scientists find the most average animal on earth, which turns out to be a purple orangutan.There is a saying in medicine that the definition of a normal person is someone who hasn’t been tested enough. In other words, if you run enough tests on someone, you are bound to find something out of the so-called normal range. It doesn’t take very long for the junior scientist narrator of this book to start finding things out of the normal range in Norman. In fact, after doing some anatomical measurements, everything she finds out about Norman subsequently is not normal. He doesn’t eat, speak or act like a normal orangutan. Never mind that he doesn’t look like a normal orangutan, as he is clearly purple. What does this say about the dedicated team of scientists who selected Norman because he was found to be the most average animal on earth? Maybe they are not normal scientists either. The narrator should have examined them first.The moral of the story is that normal is impossible to define (meaning the narrator was given an impossible assignment). Or maybe, that the definition of normal depends on who is defining it. Is this a normal book? You will have to read it and come to your own judgment, but normal or not normal, it is a book I highly recommend you examine for yourself. Just don’t hire their scientists, as I don’t have too much faith in them.

Our lively narrator is on her first job, and her mission is to demonstrate Normal, in the form of Norman, a rather adorably dysfunctional, or so the narrator thinks so, Ape. Norman doesn't seem to do anything normal and neither do his friends, which totally exasperates our dear little narrator. Thankfully, she comes to the conclusion that Normal simply can not be quantified. With illustrations that had my 4 year old laughing out loud, we absolutely adored Norman's antics and truly wish that he could come home to play at our house with his motley crew of abnormal friends. Once again Tara Lazar has taken an incredibly poignant concept and written it in an engagingly hilarious way, giving just a touch of enlightenment to the little cherubs who are the target audience. Bonus points for reminding us all, that Normal is truly whatever you choose to make it...

I am a big Tara Lazar fan, and look forward to all of her new releases. Tara's Normal Norman is a book that is destined to become a much loved, and reread book in every child's library. Everybody in life struggles to fit in, but Norman is a stand out. When the narrator, (a junior scientist) embarks on a journey to discuss what's normal, and what's not, she uncovers that all things are not what they seem, and sometimes they are far better then we ever thought possible. The storyline is exquisite, fun and lively, and will hold a young child's attention with the snappy dialogue, and kid-friendly illustrations. Normal Norman encourages us ALL to become who we are meant to be and being who we are is by far the best gift we can give to the world. This is a five-star book, no ifs, ands, or apes about it!!!Brenda Sturgis

This delightful book makes you question "What is normal?" For Norman, what he does IS normal (he is a primate with a stuffed animal lovey who sleeps in a bunk bed, among other things). The narrator keeps telling him he isn't "normal" for a primate. She realizes at the end that he is comfortable as he is, that he IS normal. I am a third grade teacher and have recommended this book to our school guidance counselor to use. I will be reading it to my class this week. It is important for children (and adults) to realize that they are perfect, normal, JUST THE WAY THEY ARE, and to accept others for who they are. This book is a terrific way to start this discussion. It is also adorable, funny, witty, and has terrific pictures. Children and adults will love it.

This book just arrived and my 3 kids have read it umpteen times already and they love Norman! I pre-ordered it after reading a review that showed up in my news feed several months ago and I decided I like the premise of this book, that there really isn't any predefined "normal." This fits our family well as we certainly don't aspire to be normal or care to look like everyone else. This is just the kind of literature that I want on our children's bookshelves!On an interesting note, if you check out the author's webpage/blog you can see illustrations of Norman before they settled on him being a purple orangutan with handsome nerd glasses. While they all looked great I think they picked the best image. [...]

A hilarious exploration of what exactly is normal through the eyes of a young scientist. A great reminder that normal can't be defined and to embrace our true selves.

This book was great. My 5yo daughter loves it. It's silly enough to keep her attention piqued, and gives us a great opportunity to talk about defining "normal", and about being yourself and loving and staying true to yourself. Also, my daughter pointed out that even when others may not understand why you find certain things normal, you should never give those things (hobbies and such) up if they make you happy. I thought it was a pretty profound conclusion for a kid that young.

Another delightful book by author Tara Lazar and illustrated by S. Britt. My third graders loved listening to this book that filled them with giggles and smiles as they followed the narrator as she tries to define what 'normal' is for Norman. It is a clever and humorous book that makes a wonderful read-aloud for children.

Bought this for my 6-year old daughter, as I saw something about the book when it was released and liked the moral behind it. My daughter asked me to read it every night for almost two months, she loves it!

Love the ethos of the book, drawings are lovely too.The story is great but very wordy for a children's book and not the best for a natural flow.

splendido libro in lingua inglese che aiuta i bambini, e anche i grandi, a capire che la normalità è relativa, e che praticamente non esiste. belle illustrazioni, ironico e ben fatto

Fantastic book teaching kids that 'normal' is whatever you want it to be. My 2.5 yr old girls love the book. Great message and fun to read.

This book is awesome! I love the illustrations and the story