Book!

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

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Spanish Literature, Poetry, Books About Books

31 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2001

About the author

Kristine O'Connell George is one of the principal voices in contemporary children's poetry. Since her first highly-acclaimed book, The Great Frog Race was published in 1997, Kristine O'Connell George's poetry has generated excitement and earned honors and praise. Awards for her books include the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, International Reading Association / Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, the Golden Kite, Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Awards, Claudia Lewis Poetry Awards, ALA notables, NCTE notables, School Library Journal Best Books, Hornbook Fanfare, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and IRA-CBC Children's Choice.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way this has thicker pages than usual, without going to the chunkier of a board book. It feels sturdy.
Brightly colored, friendly, and on my favorite topic, I love it.

Library copy

[Elizabeth]

I have read this to groups of toddlers at library story time, and they seem to enjoy it, but the absolute best part is when I balance the book on my head like the child in the book. Today, my busy little toddlers stopped everything and stared in stunned silence at the utter silliness. Success!

[Carly Killian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses one word per page paired with a picture to introduce connections between Spanish and English words to children who are learning one or both of those languages.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

YAH! At last, a toddler friendly book to read with a "library" theme for daycare groups.

[Mrs. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read/board book. It is really meant for toddlers/early learning.
However. I used it for kindergarten to teach book care expectations.

Lesson:

Who: Kindergarten
When: Before the check out books
Why: Set library and book care expectations

Setup: Each table had a basket with 4 books each so that each student would get one.

Lesson: Read the book to them and have them follow along with their own books. When the child opens their present have the kids grab one book and set it nicely in front of them. As you read, let the kids gently and nicely look through their own books. When the child in the story says he can put it away nicely, practice shutting the book gently and putting it away in the baskets so that the spines are facing the same direction

Further discussion: Why is the boy bringing the book to his parent? We can ask adults to read to us. The boy reads to his pet, and we discuss who the child can practice reading with (sibling, family, pet, stuffed animals, into a phone or their ipads)

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. Sadly, it isn't a new favorite of mine. I love books and had hoped this one would really dive into the joys of reading (and less into the joys of wearing a book as a hat). There isn't anything wrong with wearing a book as a hat but it wasn't what I expected based on the description. I still liked it and would include it in my classroom. I especially liked the pictures.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Good book enthusiasm modeling.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also read this in Spanish at storytime this morning, short enough for both languages to be read - and it's about a kid loving a book!

[Lisa Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best suited for toddlers.

[Alice Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is as much a character in this story as the child. How wonderful for children to see that books are treasures to connect with in such a personal and familiar way.

[Jessalyn Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Maybe a bit too simplistic for my toddler, but simple and sweet.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for toddlers

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, rhyming text accompanies fun illustrations showing all the ways one little boy enjoys his new book. A great read-aloud for preschool story time.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will surely get children excited about reading books. The child in the story opens a present to find a book. He explores all of the interesting things that can be done with books. Toddlers like to wear books on their heads, read to their pets or stuffed animals, and often enjoy organizing the books. All of these things are featured in this colorful board book.
Children will also like the cat that follows the boy around from page to page. When parents read this book with their children, they can discuss the many different things that can be done with books. This would also be a good opportunity to talk about favorite books and stories.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one out to bring home for Natalie after seeing it on the shelf a few times. I liked that the pages were light weight cardboard so that she could play with them without fear of ripping them. Another plus was the bold colors that took up the whole page - no white space. The illustrations were simple enough that I could point out objects to Natalie without her being overwhelmed. Of course, I liked the cat. The text of the book was alright. It explained in rhyme what can be done with a book. It was simple and cute. I'd give this three and half stars if I could.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great idea. This is the book to give a baby book lover. Kids today have toys of all makes and varieties, but books are always just books, even when the content and illustrations vary. Why can't children love their books just for being books? Well, according to Book! they can. I would love for my son to grow up feeling this way about his books.
(Good book for an infant storytime)

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stiff pages - not quite board book but sturdier than most picture books, clear and very charming illustrations, and simple rhyming text make this a good choice for sharing with babies and toddlers. I like the use of a non-white child character. This is a great book to reinforce early literacy skills and the value and fun of book!(s).

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book! Since every child in my life has received a Book! for gift-giving occasions, this seems to be the Book! for me. It playfully introduces the joys of books, carrying them, opening them, sharing them, reading them. Maggie Smith's charming illustrations and vivid colors animate the spare text. The child has stuffed animals, a pet and an adult sharing his joy of Book! discovery.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has vibrant colors and cute illustrations. I liked the toddler's enthusiasm about getting a book, and the many different things he does with it, but I found the text awkward, it rhymed but the rhythm was inconsistent.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Pajama Story Time on 12/12/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Toddler Lap Time on 1/17/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bookaday #86. I know this author for her poetry collections and was disappointed this book didn't have better rhythm. Words are distributed on the pages in an awkward combinations. Low read aloud potential, but thick pages and bright colors are good for the youngest readers.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short book for those national library week programs we do! Babies and books. Done!

[Jen H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, cute book for toddlers. Good gift to new mothers, babies, toddlers. About a child admiring his new book.

[Rakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for reading with toddlerse and preschoolers. Super cute, super colorful, pro siblings, and pro family.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect ode to books for kids and adults alike!

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, short, sturdy book about how a little boy loves his book. My three-year-old liked it quite a bit.

Update: my 18-month-old likes it too.

[Colleen]

Let's Go to School - unit 1
More Read Alouds

[Georgiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible use for visual literacy in pointing out cat in a baby reading.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babies, toddlers, print motivation, phonological awareness.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

for Baby & Me
"b" theme
simple book about a book