Inside: Book review of The Book With No Pictures
Have you been lucky enough to get a hold of this new book?
Mine arrived in the mail a few days ago and I LOVE it!
Title: The Book With No Pictures
Author: B.J. Novak
Illustrator: There isn’t one! Duh 🙂
Publishing: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014
Ages: 4 to 10
Theme: Humour
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brief Synopsis (from the book flap):
A book with no pictures? What could be fun about that? After all, if a book has no pictures, there’s nothing to look at but the words on the page. Words that might make you say silly sounds… In ridiculous voices… Hey, what kind of book is this, anyway?
Opening Lines:
This is a book with no pictures. It might seem like no fun to have someone read you a book with no pictures. It probably seems boring and serious. Except …
Why I LOVE This Book:
Because my class loved it and it’s one of the funniest books I’ve read in a LONG time! The reason this book is so hilarious, is that the rule is the person reading it aloud has to read EVERY SINGLE WORD! And one of the pages says, “I am a monkey who taught myself to read.” Can you even begin to imagine how funny a six-year-old finds that? And it gets better: “My face is a bug”; “My head is made of blueberry pizza.” And in small print the story teller is denying every silly thing that’s just been read. Pure comedy … if you’re a little kid:)
Still not convinced? Take a look at this:
3 Related Resources:
1. Question Time: Why was this book so funny, even though there were no pictures?
2. Add Pictures: Okay, I know this is not the purpose of the book. But there’s some great imagery in here (e.g., “I eat ants for breakfast right off the ruuuuuuug!”). It would be lots of fun to see what kind of illustrations the kids come up with.
3. Write Your Own Version: I think kids in Grades 1-3 would have a blast writing their own version of a silly book designed to trick grown-ups into saying goofy stuff.
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Yes, I've read it and think it best read to a group of children because they feed on each other's giggles. Love the video. Great book idea — like outside the box.
You're right! The group dynamics definitely enhance the fun:)
I would have liked to have been there when the book was pitched – bet it was just as fun!
Not sure this should be called a \”picture book\” – as the whole idea behind PB's would be…. pictures. But it's a funny book, with font art. Great read-aloud.
Hilarous. Love watching the way different people read this, too. Great choice.
Thanks! My kids loved it so much they made me read it again mere seconds after the first reading.
Hmm…interesting comment. I think the font art maybe qualifies though. Actually I'm not really sure, but like you said, it's a great read-aloud.
You're probably right!When I introduced it to my class, they just stared at me with slightly glum faces. Three pages in they were laughing their heads off:)
I haven't gotten hold of this one yet, but I'm loving the videos and talk about it. It needs a GOOD reader and a GOOD listener as well. I can see that it would be perfect for groups!
Yes, it definitely needs a good reader and when it's read to a group they feed off each other. It's very funny to watch:)
I bought it earlier this year and have it sitting on my shelf at home. I think I will read it to my kids after reading them Elephant and Piggie's We are in a Book. Looking forward to the giggles.
Sounds like a great one! I'll have to get my hands on it. :-)CrystalTeaching Little Miracles
I've so got this on my list. I can't wait to buy it!
I read \”We Are in a Book\” to my class last year and they thought it was the funniest thing ever! Have fun with \”The Book With No Pictures\”!
Yeah, it's definitely worth it. You really have to ham it up though:)But hey! We're teachers. That's what we're good at!
Yes you do, Tammy! It's a LOT of fun:)
That video is way too cute! I'm not sure how my 2nd graders would react- maybe the same way. But last year they would have practically been rolling on the floor laughing so hard. What a wildly creative book!ChrissyFirst Grade Found Me
Yup, mine got pretty darn silly. No floor rolling though. Thank goodness;)