The Boy on the Page

by Peter Carnavas

A small boy lands on the page and, quite by accident, discovers the joy and wonder of life.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Animals, Storytime, Coming Of Age, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Rana Heshmati · Rating 5 out of 5]

كاشكی می‌شد منم از بيرون نگاه كنم زندگيم رو.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and simple look at one boy's wonderful life between the pages.



With charming artwork by the author.

[SilverNediya · Rating 5 out of 5]

خب معلومه که داستان چیه دیگه
!
از اون حرکت آخرش خیلی خوشم اومد

[N.a.f.a.s · Rating 4 out of 5]

چه قشنگ بودش 😍

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As do many of us, a boy wonders about the meaning of life and his own place in it as he moves through various pages. As he takes an extraordinary measure to finally find the answer, he finds it as he sees how he has made a difference. The book concludes, "And waiting for him there was every thing he had ever made, every animal he had ever cared for and every person he had ever loved" (unpaged). This is Originally published in Australia, this is It's a Wonderful Life for the younger set. This philosophical examination of life reminds readers that our acts of kindness do not go unforgotten and that each one of them matters.

[mahshid · Rating 5 out of 5]

منم می‌خوام از کاغذ بپرم بیرون.

[Athena Macmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet picture book draws parallels with life and the question of why we are here, but leaves itself completely open to interpretation. For younger readers it can be left as is, as a nice story. For older readers, it can lead to in depth conversations about why we are here and where we are going for families of any faith, whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim... even Atheists. My 2yr old loves the animal pictures and brings it to me to be read again an again. A very lovely book, for any age or level of understanding.

[madziar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Książka z zacięciem filozoficznym - australijski autor opowiada o chłopcu, który wpadł do książki i zaczął się zastanawiać, dlaczego tu jest. W trakcie życia robi wiele rzeczy, ale nawet jako dorosły człowiek, nieraz nocą zastanawia się, dlaczego pojawił się na tej stronie. W końcu wyskakuje z książki, by zaraz powrócić - do wszystkich, których kocha. Morał australijskiego autora jest taki, że sensem jest powrót do tych właśnie ludzi.

[Serge Smagarinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one sure packs a punch and has left me reflecting on it for several days.

What starts as metafiction slowly transforms into a metaphor for life itself. With appealing illustrations, the story can be appreciated by the youngest of readers in its simplest sense, whilst older readers and the deepest of thinkers will benefit from the philosophy distilled into this brief treatise on the meaning of life.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carnavas Caravan #7
Discussing big questions like the meaning of life in a small picture book should be nigh on impossible, and whilst the author misses the true reason and meaning of life, this book tackles the big question in a surprisingly moving and clear manner - a good book to stimulate discussions on life and the meaning of it all and why we are in fact here.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing picture book of owning your story, finding your purpose (sometimes in hindsight), and making the world better with your presence. Love it!

[Zahra Moharrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book depicts the purpose of life. Why are we here in this world? Love and be Loved!

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book about why we're here.

[Gita · Rating 5 out of 5]

خیلی قشنگ بود. داستان پسری که یکهو روی کاغذ میوفته و بعد زیبایی‌های زندگی رو می‌بینه، ولی این سوال از ذهنش نمیره که "من اینجا چی‌کار می‌کنم؟".

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book tackles the age old question "Why am I here." I'm not certain what the author meant by the boy jumping off the page? But aside from that mystery, it's is a great book.

[Jayne at the Library Editing Profile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

[Azin · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک کتاب فلسفی خوب و زیبا راجع به زندگی و معنای زندگی!

کتاب در واقع با زبان ساده به این سوالات که چرا به دنیا اومدیم و تو این دنیا چیکار میکنیم پاسخ میده..

[Marcela · Rating 3 out of 5]

-- Clever metaphor

[Noah Rachal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a pretty significant meaning to me. A boy falls onto a page out of nowhere, in reference to how we are born into the world with no answers. He questions why he is even on the page. The transformation from his young boy form all the way to adult form is shown throughout the story. The tasks and actions he takes such as meeting new people, helping others out, doing good deeds, and even starting a family are shown. He then, as an adult, comes back to the question that he had asked himself as a young boy: “Why am I here?”. The “boy” then realizes all along that he’s done so much for so many individuals and has made a huge impact. This hit hard, especially since we all question our existence from time to time. But it’s our will of being the best we can everyday and spreading positivity into the world that makes the difference.

[Manuela Pena]

Summary
A boy lands on a blank page. Shortly after, things start appearing everywhere. These things represent life. As time goes on, he grows up into man, but with one question he has had throughout the years: why is he there? He sees the purpose in all that is around but doesn’t see it in him. So many things happen around him. Trees growing. Animals roaming. Wanting to find answers, the boy jumps off of the page to find out why he is there.
Activity
An activity that relates to the book that the kids could is all get a blank piece of paper. Relating it back to the book, they could draw things on the paper that the think have some part in their life. It could be something that represents them or something that is important to them. This could help them realize the things that each of them has in their lives and how much they should be valued.
Citation
Carnavas, P. (2013). The Boy on the Page. New Frontier.

[Meghan Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple story about a boy who grows into a man and discovers the meaning of life. The way he spends his time is both ordinary - 'he played an accordian', 'he trained a dog' - and profound - 'he saw the whole world in somebody's eyes'. He periodically wonders why he is here, and after 'jumping off the page' he recovers and comes to understand that it is the people we love, and the positive ripples we create in the world, that provide our lives with meaning. A lovely story for young children, but equally suitable for teenagers and adults who need a reminder of the ordinary magic of life.

[Get Ahead Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with a young boy landing on a blank page. Drawing a parallel to new life, at first there is nothing on the page but then life begins to appear around him ready for him to grow and discover.

The layered story follows the boy from riding a horse in his youth to falling in love as an adult, the whole time the boy is searching for the answer to
'Why Am I Here?'.

This tale explores the question of life in a sensitive yet lighthearted way by combining well written text and attractive illustrations. It is an enchanting read for all ages.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous and sweet story about a boy who lands on a page and works to figure out his place in the world. It is a coming of age story for everyone who reads it - not just children. It is written simply, for an ECE audience, but as an adult I got a lot out of the story, as well. The illustrations are gorgeous and it has a strong, lovely message.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book asks the eternal question: Why am I here? The answer is simple yet profound. The humour in the illustrations is close to laugh out loud, in a style reminiscent of Michael Leunig. Wonderful.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy ponders the meaning of life in this charming metafictional tale.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply lovely.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are searching for the meaning of life, read The Boy on the Page. With whimsical drawings and simple text, Carnavas answers the quintessential "why" question in a beautiful and loving way.

[Maia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good gift for an adult

A stretch for little ones to understand. And really, I don't want to read a "philosophical" story to them, picture books shouldn't feel like work.

[South Country Library Children's Department · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, it's basically the meaning of life in a picture book. Enjoyed it as an adult, not sure that it will really appeal to kids (my daughter didn't seem to love it).

[Renee Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! One of my favourite picture books.