Book! [Hardcover]

Kristine O'Connell George (Author), Maggie Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

I like the way you open.
I can turn your pages by myself.
I like the way you close.
I can put you on my shelf.

Books can be for silly times or quiet, for reading alone or sharing . . . but always to enjoy. A small child discovers their magic for the very first time in this exuberant ode to book appreciation by award-winning poet Kristine O’Connell George. Brightly colored illustrations are a perfect match for the spare, rhyming text, and thick pages with rounded corners make this a special first “real” book for baby.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

George (Little Dog Poems) and Smith (Beach Day) present an endearing homage to the pleasures of books. When the toddler narrator opens a present and discovers a volume entitled Bunnies, he and the book immediately become inseparable except for a brief moment when he observes its ingenious design: "I like the way you close./ I can put you on my shelf." The book can also be donned as a hat, loses no appeal when turned upside down and can be appreciated by a wide range of audiences from the pet cat to an infant sibling ("I'll show you to the baby"). George needs only a few words on each spread to convey the boy's unadulterated happiness ("I'll give you a hug, Book!"). Smith's pared-down, full-bleed acrylics with warm, subtly variegated backgrounds play up the hero's tiny but expressive eyes as well as the ongoing presence of the cat and a checkered stuffed elephant. Smith makes it clear that, while Book represents an exciting new chapter in the boy's life, his gift also fits neatly into his cozy world. Ages 2-4.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-In this celebratory title, a child receives his first book. From the magical moment he unwraps the gift until he nods off in bed, the cheerful toddler explores all the joys and the practical applications that his new treasure has to offer. Smith's deeply colored, playful acrylics depict the youngster through the day as he puts the book onto the shelf upside down, reads it to his cat, and uses it as a ticket to mom's lap for cozy storytime. Rounded, stiff paper pages ensure that this title will withstand repeated readings. The fact that it offers a pleasurable introduction to books is an added benefit.

Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395982871
• ISBN-13: 978-0395982877
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wish I had Run Across This Sooner - a review of "Book", January 20, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Book! (Hardcover)

We are a home of book lovers. When my first child was born she had books waiting for her, and I wish this had been one of them.

I really like the pro-book stance this author takes. And the delight that the boy has in his *own* book is obvious from the illustrations.

He takes it everywhere with him. Has fun 'reading' it on his own, putting in the shelf all by himself. He even reads it to his cat and shows it to his baby sister/brother.

Four Stars. A sturdy little book that shows book ownership in a positive light. Good addition to a baby or toddlers library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, September 22, 2003

By 

"matt39039" (Pasco, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book! (Hardcover)

Kristine O'Connell George does a beautiful job sharing the joy of a first book with readers young and old. The illustrations are colorful! Really a joy to read. I recently checked it out from the library to share with my 11 month old and she will be receiving her own copy for her first birthday. It is perfect for toddlers because of its stiff and easy to turn pages and rounded corners. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Alright., January 31, 2010

By 

teejayzee "teejayzee" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book! (Board book)

Although this boardbook had many pages to it, the pictures were not varied enough to be very interesting. Basically, this little boy carries a book around with him for the entire day. Each page show him doing something different with the book against a gradient colored background. And, there is a cat that comes and goes through the story. Not much more to say.