This week, I’m sharing a Perfect Picture Book that claims to not be one — well a picture book anyway.
Title: This is not a picture book!
Author and Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Chronicle Books, 2016
Themes/Topics: Reading, Books
Opening: A book!
Brief Synopsis: (from Amazon) In this quirky yet sweet picture book about the joy and power of reading, Duck learns that even books without pictures can be fun. While he and his friend Bug may struggle at first to decipher their book, they stick with it, and before long they discover that not only can they read it, but it deserves a place on the shelf with all their favorite picture books. Author-artist Sergio Ruzzier has created a fanciful tribute to books of all kinds. It includes both words AND pictures.
Resources: Here’s a variety of kindergarten writing activities. Children could also try to illustrate a phrase from one of the spreads in the book like “Some are funny!” or “There are wild words … and peaceful words.”
Why I Like This Book: It’s clearly a picture book despite the title. 🙂 The words create a variety of mood evoking images. My favorite spread may be “Some are very sad.” This may be my favorite image, because I just finished reading Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. Indeed, some words are sad. Duck and Bug make a unique pair to take a child through the words of a book. Sergio masterfully takes the reader on an adventure with his words and images. This is so different than The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak.
For more PPBF books, check out the list over at the incredible Susanna Hill’s website.
A Winner:
I’ve promoted a giveaway for Monday is Wash Day for a few weeks.
Rosi Hollinbeck won! I have sent you an email Rosi to arrange delivery of your book.
The book is available on Sept. 27, so consider taking a look at it or request it from your library.
This looks cute! Seems a bit meta, but I appreciate the whole idea of words allowing the imagination to paint pictures.
Every time I see this cover, I wonder what “What’s that pink nosed thing?” and read on to find it is a Duck. Can’t make it stick in my head. 🙂
I love books about words! Will look for this one!
This books has so many possibilities. It has a cover, so kids have a clue. But, I especially like your suggestions on using the book! Will look for this one for sure!
Haven’t read this one yet. Thanks for the introduction to it! (Has PPBF started already!??)
I’ll need to check that one out, Stacy. Sounds like a clever one. 😊
Thank you, Stacy, for posting a review for this book. I will look for it at the library.
I like this one too!
Thanks for choosing ME! Yay. I can’t wait to read Monday is Wash Day. I think This is Not a Picture Book sounds adorable. I just ordered it from my library. Thanks for telling me about it.
Catchy name!!