"Some people face the world with confidence. They are popular, charismatic, incredibly successful and often beautiful. They achieve these things by sheer determination, talent and cosmetic surgery. They have big houses, big cars and big hair. They have gorgeous children who become even richer and more famous than they are, simply by breathing and being able to tie their own shoelaces.


Norman and Brenda are nothing like these people..."



"The by-line "the anti-heroes’ anti-heroes" combined with the fact that the protagonists are unapologetically thirty-seven means that this isn't your usual fare...So I look at it this way: If we are allowed to have graduation picture books whose sole purpose is to send our children off into the big blue world in some kind of a meaningful fashion, why can't we have post-graduation books? This is the kind of story you'd hand to someone who was certain they'd never meet the love of their life. Norman and Brenda ain't sexy, but they're hopeful." - A Fuse #8 Production



Norman and Brenda toddle separately toward middle age desperately lonely, believing they will never find a companion. When their pet goldfish and salamander abandon them, they give up all hope until a chance collision brings them together. These pitiable, ragged characters trudge across double-page panels in this pint-sized picture book, with Norman’s story on top and Brenda’s below. Lissiat’s illustrations, sharp sketches amid washes of purples, blues, browns and grays, perfectly capture the bruised souls of two quiet, peripheral people. Simply told, their stories mirror one another, making readers aware of many ironic little brushes with potential happiness. The stacked graphic layout reinforces the unhappy characters’ achingly close proximity to their future soul mate. Lyrical repetitions of language also echo between Norman’s and Brenda’s worlds, fairy tale–like. Though it’s presented solidly from adult emotional perspectives, some teens will relish this realized romance between two unlikely ugly ducklings. This deeply affecting story makes clear just how elusive happiness can be, and how wonderful it is when you finally find it.Kirkus Reviews



“The Plot: Norman and Brenda live their own lives, waiting for life to begin, waiting for that someone. Will their paths ever cross?

The Good: I wanted to read this after reading Betsy's review: "Norman and Brenda ain't sexy, but they're hopeful."

Norman and Brenda's stories are told at the same time; Norman on the top of the page, Brenda on the bottom. Both alone; both waiting; both yearning. Norman felt as if life had started without him. "Everyone else was having theirs, but his hadn't arrived yet." Meanwhile, "Brenda felt as if life was always going on in the next room. If she went into the next room, it moved out into the garden."

Their paths always almost cross. Will these two ever find each other?

Like Betsy said, this is a book to give as a gift to grown-ups; especially grown-ups who need a little hope in their life; a reminder that happiness comes, just at different times for different people.” - A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy , June, 2009