Amazon.com

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.

Janell Cannon's illustrations are exquisite. As in her award-winning Stellaluna, not only are the animal drawings painstakingly accurate, they are also awash with movement and beauty. The countless shades of greeny-yellow and yellowy-green have the effect of a cool eye compress for the reader--calming, inviting, and enticing readers to reach into the lush environment of the pages. Verdi's lesson is never didactic, always compelling, and pleasantly surprising. (Ages 4 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (32)

artistically mesmerizing and fun for all ages
i work in the public library system here in st. louis, mo, and i almost never get a chance to put "verdi" on the shelve. why? because it's ALWAYS checked out! both parents and children love this coming of age story about a young snake who, like everyone else in life, is afraid of becoming "old" and "boring". once he realizes that with age comes wisdom, he's much happier as an older, greener snake than a younger, more yellow snake. i read this book whenever i get a chance, and because of the kids at the library, that's not very often!

Great!
Once a week I volunteer to read books with children at the local library. "Verdi" by Janell Cannon is one of the most popular choices (Ms. Cannon's "Stellaluna" is also highly popular). It seems that children of all ages enjoy this book about a little yellow snake who doesn't want to grow up and become a boring green adult.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a great coming of age story. We always discuss the books after reading them and after reading "Verdi," the kids always say something like "even adults were young once" or that "you can still have fun when you're a grown up."

I also must comment on the illustrations, as they are exquisite - so colorful and detailed. Everyone just loves looking through this book again and again.

Exceptional!
Janell Cannon is the queen of children's books. Her stories are heart warming and illustrations are beyond compare. I have purchased this book numerous times for gifts (along with the stunning "Stellaluna") and it has always been well received. Kids just love how colorful and exquisite Ms. Cannon's books are!

In "Verdi" we have a young python who doesn't want to grow up. He vows to always be free spirited and never boring like the adults he knows. When he hurts himself doing a silly stunt, he learns that the adults were once as young and carefree as he is and that age doesn't affect your spirit.

"Verdi" is truly a wonderful coming of age story that will have you wanting to read it again and again. It is listed here as a book for first to third graders, but I feel it goes much beyond that due to the fantastic art work and sweet story line.

Verdi review
This book is about a snake named Verdi that doesnt want to turn green. Verdi is a young yellow snake that is very athletic. When Verdi visits other snakes that are old, boring and green he hopes that he will never be like them that is when the trouble starts.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 because it was a good story and had great illustrations. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy reading about animals and to artist that like to draw animals.

Soon to be a favorite!!
This book will become a favorite for many children, as it was for my child. Its vivid illustrations are tremendously life-like. Children will feel a kinship with the young snake's tribulations about growing up.

It has a strong emphasis on Personality Development. It is like a "coming of age" story where a child does not want to grow up but finds it happens anyway. As much as Verdi the young snake tried to seek independence from adults, he learned that he still needed the warmth and security from the adults in his life.

Social Development skills could also be learned from Verdi as he began to understand the adult pythons' points of views. When Verdi gave them a chance, he realized the adults were quite amazing. ... Read more

Book Description

Verdi, Janell Cannon's bestselling picture book, has captured the affection of readers everywhere. Now the feisty yellow snake who doesn't want to grow up to be boring and green is available as a soft and flexible finger puppet-just the right size for little fingers! Although small in size, Verdi is BIG on fun. He's the perfect companion for story time, playtime-any time! Wrap him around your wrist and he's ready to go anywhere your imagination takes you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

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 Verdi into the arms of kids who've dreamed of a Verdi they could hug. Taller Verdi fans will find this loosely coiled python adds a fetching touch of the jungle when draped over a curtain rod, or when peacefully resting on a nest of pillows. (Fans of Cannon's favorite fruit bat Stellaluna will also enjoy the Stellaluna Finger Puppet and Book Set). (Ages 3 and older) ... 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.

All the kids enjoy acting out the book with Verdi the stuffed animal and then afterwards playing with him. This little guy has been handled by lots of kids in his life and is holding up great. He's quite a durable!

If there's a child in your life who's a Verdi fan, this would make a perfect gift.

Excellent childrens book with beautiful illustrations.
The story of Verdi is a great way to introduce children to the topic of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The reading is fairly easy and the illustrations will keep their attention. Verdi is a typical child that doesn't want to be like everyone else. Through Verdi's experience we see that we are only as much as we allow ourselves to be. ... Read more