A book with no pictures? NO pictures? I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to read a book to young children that doesn’t have ANY pictures.
And yet, that’s exactly what B.J. Novak has tried. Yes, that B.J. Novak of “The Office” fame.
It turns out though, the book is outstanding – and my three children all agree.
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…
Here is how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say.
No matter what.
It is with that stipulation that Novak has written a brilliant little book. The story is fun, the words and design whimsical and fun. The instant I finished reading it to my children, they were making a list of people with whom they wanted to share it. They were sure to hide this little disclaimer on the back when offering the book to unsuspecting family members:
I don’t want to spoil the fun, so this review will remain somewhat vague. Just go buy it. Any child you read it to will laugh out loud before thanking you.
Don’t forget — Penguin Young Readers is giving away dozens of books during their “12 Days of Picture Books” sweepstakes, including at least 11 copies of The Book with No Pictures! To get in on the fun, head on over to their Facebook page. Even if you don’t enter on a particular day or don’t win, there are lots of great stories being shared on their page this month!
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a book lover on your list, check out the Penguin Holiday Gift Guide! Browse titles by age, cover, related interests and more. I’ll admit, I just spent way too long scrolling through the page looking at the variety of titles. The guide includes everything from children’s picture books through young adult titles, and even stories I know many adults have benefited from reading.
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