The Ink Drinker (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) [Paperback]

Eric Sanvoisin (Author), Martin Matje (Illustrator), Georges Moroz (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2002 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM)

WHAT IF YOUR Dad loved books, owned a bookstore, and even called his cherished volumes “my little bookies”? You would probably despise books—just like the young protagonist in this deliciously bizarre story.

One summer vacation, while Odilon is working in the store and hoping shoplifters will ease his burden, he spots a weird, pale stranger drinking a book. With a straw. As soon as the ink drinker flees (at the sound of the boy’s gasp), the young spy locates the customer’s book and discovers that it is completely blank except for a letter or two! He races out of the store on the heels of this tough customer—all the way to the cemetery. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What if your Dad loved books, owned a bookstore, and even called his cherished volumes "my little bookies"? You would probably despise books--just like the young protagonist in Eric Sanvoisin and illustrator Martin Matje's deliciously bizarre story The Ink Drinker. One summer vacation, while the boy is working in the store and hoping shoplifters will ease his burden, he spots a weird, pale stranger drinking a book. With a straw. As soon as the ink drinker flees (at the sound of the boy's gasp), the young spy locates the customer's book and discovers that it is completely blank except for a letter or two! Like a real detective, he races out of the store on the heels of this tough customer... all the way to the cemetery... all the way into a vaulted monument shaped like an ink bottle... all the way to a pen-shaped casket where the man (or beast?) lies snoring. As the book-vampire's mysteries unfold like a good novel, we are no longer sure whether the boy is awake or asleep, or whether the boy could possibly have fallen prey to the strange fellow's powers. "As I sucked the first words of the second paragraph, the lights were suddenly turned on. Dad was there. I swallowed wrong, and the words got stuck." Young readers will adore this eccentric tale of the power of reading, which surprises and delights on many levels. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

"In this mildly sinister chapter book from France, a strange breed of vampire sucks the black blood of literature," wrote PW. "A diverting tale." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440414857
• ISBN-13: 978-0440414858
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.2 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK FOR HALLOWEEN, October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ink Drinker (Hardcover)

We read this book in our speech class and thought it wasgreat. The ink drinker was scary and we didn't want to put the bookdown. It is the perfect story to read for Halloween. We would highly recommend this book to 4th and 5th graders. We can't wait for the sequel! We hope to see some ink drinkers on Halloween night.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Vampire Tale with a Surprising Twist, August 31, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Ink Drinker (Hardcover)

The Ink Drinker is about a vampire who has suffered from liver problems for twenty years, so he can't drink blood. Instead he drinks ink, not from a bottle, but letters from books. The Ink Drinker is interesting, weird, drinks books, floats, and is smart. My favorite part was when the ink drinker came in the bookstore and started drinking the letters from books I recommend this book because it is surprising. It is surprising because the ink drinker comes in the bookstore and starts drinking books and because of the part at the end where the boys too starts drinking books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ink Drinker (Hardcover)

Every teacher needs to own this book! Packs a powerful message about the thrill of reading. Great read aloud.