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Saturday
Jan312009

this week's library book

Such a jewel this week. I went to the library for something else, and making my way through the J's stumbled upon The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers. A good cover will usually catch my eye, and the hand lettering on this one is lovely.

Henry loves to eat books. First one page at a time, then entire books in one go. And the more he eats, the smarter he gets. 

If he reads a book about rockets, he can remember every detail. Soon he is the smartest kid in his class, and is explaining things to his teacher.

When he starts eating too many books too fast, the contents start to get all mixed up. When he tries to remember something, all that comes out is confused mumbles.

So he has to give up eating books, but he starts reading them instead.. and gets smart the old fashioned way. (Although there is a nice size bite out of the back cover.. he must nibble now and then.)

I'm a lover of paper. Striped, gridded, lined, bright white, old and faded.. I love it all. What really makes me love this book is how Jeffers uses different kinds of paper as the backgrounds for his illustrations. And he leaves it messy, with the 3 ring holes intact or the torn edges showing. It's such a special little treat.

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Reader Comments (35)

Seems lovely, indeed!
g.

02.1.2009 | Unregistered Commenterg.

Such a wonderful book on every level. Perfect for kindling a love of reading in children and rekindling it in ourselves. Thank you!

02.1.2009 | Unregistered Commenterjulie

I've really enjoyed your "book reports." Thanks!

02.1.2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnna

Think this would work for an almost 5 year old? I'm thinking it would and it looks like a great book. She loves books just as much as Henry!

we've checked out this book many times and I never get tired of the story or the illustrations. And I always find new things each time I look at it.

02.1.2009 | Unregistered Commentermeg

oh, i love this book. i've given it as a birthday gift to a 5 year old boy. it's wonderfully illustrated and designed...and of course, written.

02.1.2009 | Unregistered Commenterkat

We fell in love with this book as well. After checking it out from the library 3 times we finally bought it.

02.1.2009 | Unregistered CommenterBecki

We've been gobbling books up around here lately, so we'll definitely have to check this one out. Oh, and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who judges a book by it's cover. I totally do that (and I have to say, a book with a great cover rarely disappoints!).

02.1.2009 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer

His "How to Catch a Star" Book is FABULOUS, too!

02.1.2009 | Unregistered CommenterJulie

Sounds great, but why (oh, why!) didn't they hyphenate "book eating"? There's a big difference between "book eating boy" (poor kid) and "book-eating boy" (poor books).

02.2.2009 | Unregistered CommenterLauren

This is one of our faves too! The bite out of the corner never loses it's humor either :). My 7 year old loves to make her own books and she often cuts a "bite" out of her pages now.

02.2.2009 | Unregistered Commentermichelle

One of the best children's book ever! I agree :)

02.2.2009 | Unregistered CommenterDionne C

I adore this book.

02.2.2009 | Unregistered CommenterCheryl

Check out www.OliverJeffers.com - his site is just as whimsical as his thoughtful books.
His unique perspective extends to his fine art work.

02.3.2009 | Unregistered Commenterjennifer

WHat a beautiful book! We love his book about the boy who wants to catch a star....
BTW I tagged you on my blog... check it out

02.3.2009 | Unregistered CommenterYael

super cute! love the use of different papers too. old yellowed paper has a special place in the my heart.

i cannot wait to go check this out. we will certainly love it . . especially ruth, who loves any story about anyone eating something unexpected.

02.3.2009 | Unregistered Commenterkatie

i didn't know why this book looked so familiar and after getting it at the library today, i finally noticed that we have the other book from mr. jeffers: Lost and Found. my son's favorite before-to-go-to-bed book. when we read through this new book, my son noticed some similar drawings of the houses. so lovely.

02.3.2009 | Unregistered CommenterEdith

This is my first time visiting your blog and I already love it! Funny thing is we just checked this book out from the library on Saturday and my boys have read it several times through already. It's great!

02.4.2009 | Unregistered CommenterKelly

we have always been huge jeffers fans in our house and were so excited when this new book came out. we read it over and over again and then... one night... our little girl was over-tired and her imagination was running at lightning speed. she went to bed and had a very active dream that involved the book-eating boy sitting between her bed and her book shelf and he ate all her books. every last one of her precious books.

the book brings her to tears and shakes now. its been banned. hoping that she'll find the courage to let it back into her room at some point.

02.10.2009 | Unregistered Commenternelly

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