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Het boek zonder tekeningen
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2014)Dacht je dat een boek saai is als er geen tekeningen in staan? Dan heb je dat mis. Want dit boek met niks dan woorden is NIET saai.
Vraag maar of iemand dit voorleest.
Pas op: elk woord moet luidop gelezen worden.
Ook een woord als BLORK of BLURF.
Zelfs als er staat: 'Ik ben een aap.'
Wie dit boek voorleest, wordt op slag een KOMIEK.
Je publiek komt niet meer bij van het lachen.
Wees dus gewaarschuwd!
Vraag maar of iemand dit voorleest.
Pas op: elk woord moet luidop gelezen worden.
Ook een woord als BLORK of BLURF.
Zelfs als er staat: 'Ik ben een aap.'
Wie dit boek voorleest, wordt op slag een KOMIEK.
Je publiek komt niet meer bij van het lachen.
Wees dus gewaarschuwd!
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2014
412 people are currently reading
15113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,137 reviews
November 23, 2015
an interesting and fun children's story!
September 16, 2018
on the one hand, i am not necessarily the most qualified person to judge this book. i don't have children, work with children, have family members who are children, or go near children, so i will never use this book as it is intended - to read aloud to children.
on the other hand, i do like a bunch of children's books, even though i am an old lady, but mostly because of the PICTURES. i like cute things.
and as far as this book's mission statement goes, it's noble - to teach kids that books don't need pictures to be fun, and to instill a love for and curiosity about books.
from an interview:
I like the idea that this might be the first book-without-pictures that some children experience, and that it could open their eyes and inspire them to wonder what might be in all those other books without pictures.
i get that.
however, i think a book whose main appeal is to make adults say things like GLUURR GA-WOCKO MA GRUMPH-A-DOO for the delight of its chubby, sticky audience might be an indication that the child may perhaps be too young for dostoevsky. kids young enough to giggle at that are probably kids who'd enjoy a picture or two, and why wrest them from childhood before they need to be wrested??
but don't shout, i know this is an option, not a replacement for books with pictures. and i still understand and appreciate what he's trying to do here.
There is something special and distinct about the time when a book is read to you. The whole idea of a book is still new and exciting, and the experience is about the bond between the adult and the child just as much as it is between the child and the book. I thought it would be fun to find a twist on that experience: what if the book and the child "teamed up" to force the adult to say silly things? It could be a whole new way to introduce children to the idea of what a book can do.
yeah, yeah, i hear you. it's a nice idea.
but the cynic in me can't help but pipe up and say, dude. because while a lot of celebrity-types have written children's books, even celebrities i personally happen to enjoy in their day jobs, it always seems so … easy. and pandering. and cheap.
and occasionally horrifying:
and while i know some of them are good, here's this guy who just wrote a book of short stories for adults that many trusted sources called "surprisingly good" and "better than james franco." and now he's coming out with this book that can't even be bothered to have pictures, even just shitty pictures like this:
so, yeah - i see what you're trying here, and on the one hand i totally support your enthusiasm, but i just think you have to establish more book-cred before you cop-out with a kid's book. which, again, is coming from cynical lady with no kid-experience who still thinks this book has its heart in the right place, but didn't do anything for me.
which is fine, since i am not the audience for it anyhow.
oh, and russell brand has a children's book coming out in the fall.
buy one million copies of this book without pictures before buying russell brand's book for your children, because i'm pretty sure you can get many exotic venereal diseases just by reading words that came from that dude's brain.
oh, what the hell - i'll give this three stars instead of two because at least russell brand didn't write it.
come to my blog!
on the other hand, i do like a bunch of children's books, even though i am an old lady, but mostly because of the PICTURES. i like cute things.
and as far as this book's mission statement goes, it's noble - to teach kids that books don't need pictures to be fun, and to instill a love for and curiosity about books.
from an interview:
I like the idea that this might be the first book-without-pictures that some children experience, and that it could open their eyes and inspire them to wonder what might be in all those other books without pictures.
i get that.
however, i think a book whose main appeal is to make adults say things like GLUURR GA-WOCKO MA GRUMPH-A-DOO for the delight of its chubby, sticky audience might be an indication that the child may perhaps be too young for dostoevsky. kids young enough to giggle at that are probably kids who'd enjoy a picture or two, and why wrest them from childhood before they need to be wrested??
but don't shout, i know this is an option, not a replacement for books with pictures. and i still understand and appreciate what he's trying to do here.
There is something special and distinct about the time when a book is read to you. The whole idea of a book is still new and exciting, and the experience is about the bond between the adult and the child just as much as it is between the child and the book. I thought it would be fun to find a twist on that experience: what if the book and the child "teamed up" to force the adult to say silly things? It could be a whole new way to introduce children to the idea of what a book can do.
yeah, yeah, i hear you. it's a nice idea.
but the cynic in me can't help but pipe up and say, dude. because while a lot of celebrity-types have written children's books, even celebrities i personally happen to enjoy in their day jobs, it always seems so … easy. and pandering. and cheap.
and occasionally horrifying:
and while i know some of them are good, here's this guy who just wrote a book of short stories for adults that many trusted sources called "surprisingly good" and "better than james franco." and now he's coming out with this book that can't even be bothered to have pictures, even just shitty pictures like this:
so, yeah - i see what you're trying here, and on the one hand i totally support your enthusiasm, but i just think you have to establish more book-cred before you cop-out with a kid's book. which, again, is coming from cynical lady with no kid-experience who still thinks this book has its heart in the right place, but didn't do anything for me.
which is fine, since i am not the audience for it anyhow.
oh, and russell brand has a children's book coming out in the fall.
buy one million copies of this book without pictures before buying russell brand's book for your children, because i'm pretty sure you can get many exotic venereal diseases just by reading words that came from that dude's brain.
oh, what the hell - i'll give this three stars instead of two because at least russell brand didn't write it.
come to my blog!
December 31, 2021
*2021 edit at the bottom*
Lets see if I can get this link to work.
(Me reading a page to the girls. Is there a better testimonial?)
OK!!! HERE WE GO!!!
Eleanor: Dad, can we say how many stars to give it yet?
Dad: Gwen, what do you think? Are you ready? Poppy, are you ready?
Gwen: *Turns to Poppy* Say YES!!!
Poppy: yes.
Gwen: Say yes LOUD!!!
Poppy: YEEESSSS!!!
Dad: How many stars?
Everyone: FIIIIIIIVE!!!!! *Well, technically, Poppy only yelled out unintelligible noises sounding slightly like "five."*
Eleanor: Poppy, happy first review!
Poppy: Slaw.
Eleanor: Dad... you'll have to write what Poppy said, and it's her first review... and she'll say, "hleh hleh hleh HLEH!" and you'll have to put that in the review... and nobody will know what she means...
Dad: Well, your first couple reviews were like that...
El: And nobody understood what I said?
Dad: We'll have to go back and read them to see. ...This is pretty hard... reviewing with 3 little girls.
Gwen: Yeah. It's hard for me too.
*All the girls are humming different tunes*
Dad: So, what did you guys think? Lets start with Gwen.
El: Gwen then me, then Poppy?
Gwen: It was GOOOD! It was REALLY GOOD! And funny too!
Poppy: Funny?
Gwen: Yeah! Funny.
Poppy: Funny.
Gwen: HEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY! THIS WORD IS "FUNNY" RIGHT HERE!!!!! *Gwen just pointed to the word "funny" in the review. She's in Kindergarten right now. She's learned a lot in a little time.*
Gwen: It was funny when it said the hippo's name was Boo Boo Butt.
El: I was like... 'did the book really say that?'
Dad: El, what did you think about the book?
El: I thought it was so good, and so funny! *El has just listed off about a dozen things starting with, "I liked it when... and I liked it when..." But I can't even begin to keep up... she's STILL listing things. ...Still going...
Dad: Poppy, what did you like?
Poppy: Uhhhhmmmmm... it deeee... *sighs*
Gwennie: *whispering to Poppy* Say boo boo butt loud. Poppy... say boo boo butt loud.
Poppy: Poo Poo?
Gwennie: Poppy likes the part where they say Boo Boo Butt.
Eleanor: I know how to spell Eleanor backwards, R.O.N.A.E.L.E. Ronaeleh.
*They're spelling lots of things backwards right now...*
Dad: Hey, can we get back to the review now?
All: Yep! YEAH, yeah, yeah yeah yeah!
Gwen: *Waves at computer* HI COMPUTER!
Dad: Anything else to say about the book?
*Lots of fighting over who's turn it is to speak*
El: I liked it at the beginning when it said, "Oh no..." I was like... did the book really say it, or is that just you saying it?
Dad: I think that's what the book was trying to do. To make it look like I didn't want to read the book... But did I want to read the book?
El: YES!!! YOU DID!!!!
Dad: Ready to read the review?
El: YEP!
Gwen: YEP!
Poppy: *She's pretending to be asleep in my arms like a baby. For real though, she's tired.*
Dad: Lets go read it!
*2021 Edit*
Eleanor came into the room yesterday and said, "Dad, can I show you something?"
Dad: Yes
Eleanor: *Pulls out recorder - which she uses as kindof an 'audio-photo-album'* Presses play. It's me reading The Book with No Pictures to the three of them. They are Cracking. Up. There's a lot of laughter, some reading out loud. Interruptions with giggles. There's a baby-doll of Eleanor's - which I remember - that she's also making laugh along with us. I can't get over how young they all sound. The story ends, and Eleanor has a big grin on her face.*
Dad: That was great. I can't believe how young you all sound.
*We talk about the book some.* *Eleanor keeps grinning and sitting there.*
Eleanor: And now you can add that to your 2021 read shelf as well. ONE BOOK CLOSER TO YOUR READING GOAL!!!
*(She had heard that Poppy had given me a children's book - young, young children's book - to help me on my way.)*
Dad: (laughing): Well... I have *SOME* standards. And I've already read it.
Eleanor: Well. We just read it again. And I think you should add it.
Dad: (Today, to myself): Looks like I don't have any reading standards after all. And hey: A book is a book, right? (And for real, it was really, really sweet to listen to.) (AND, it's nice to know that my family is looking out for me).
Lets see if I can get this link to work.
(Me reading a page to the girls. Is there a better testimonial?)
OK!!! HERE WE GO!!!
Eleanor: Dad, can we say how many stars to give it yet?
Dad: Gwen, what do you think? Are you ready? Poppy, are you ready?
Gwen: *Turns to Poppy* Say YES!!!
Poppy: yes.
Gwen: Say yes LOUD!!!
Poppy: YEEESSSS!!!
Dad: How many stars?
Everyone: FIIIIIIIVE!!!!! *Well, technically, Poppy only yelled out unintelligible noises sounding slightly like "five."*
Eleanor: Poppy, happy first review!
Poppy: Slaw.
Eleanor: Dad... you'll have to write what Poppy said, and it's her first review... and she'll say, "hleh hleh hleh HLEH!" and you'll have to put that in the review... and nobody will know what she means...
Dad: Well, your first couple reviews were like that...
El: And nobody understood what I said?
Dad: We'll have to go back and read them to see. ...This is pretty hard... reviewing with 3 little girls.
Gwen: Yeah. It's hard for me too.
*All the girls are humming different tunes*
Dad: So, what did you guys think? Lets start with Gwen.
El: Gwen then me, then Poppy?
Gwen: It was GOOOD! It was REALLY GOOD! And funny too!
Poppy: Funny?
Gwen: Yeah! Funny.
Poppy: Funny.
Gwen: HEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY! THIS WORD IS "FUNNY" RIGHT HERE!!!!! *Gwen just pointed to the word "funny" in the review. She's in Kindergarten right now. She's learned a lot in a little time.*
Gwen: It was funny when it said the hippo's name was Boo Boo Butt.
El: I was like... 'did the book really say that?'
Dad: El, what did you think about the book?
El: I thought it was so good, and so funny! *El has just listed off about a dozen things starting with, "I liked it when... and I liked it when..." But I can't even begin to keep up... she's STILL listing things. ...Still going...
Dad: Poppy, what did you like?
Poppy: Uhhhhmmmmm... it deeee... *sighs*
Gwennie: *whispering to Poppy* Say boo boo butt loud. Poppy... say boo boo butt loud.
Poppy: Poo Poo?
Gwennie: Poppy likes the part where they say Boo Boo Butt.
Eleanor: I know how to spell Eleanor backwards, R.O.N.A.E.L.E. Ronaeleh.
*They're spelling lots of things backwards right now...*
Dad: Hey, can we get back to the review now?
All: Yep! YEAH, yeah, yeah yeah yeah!
Gwen: *Waves at computer* HI COMPUTER!
Dad: Anything else to say about the book?
*Lots of fighting over who's turn it is to speak*
El: I liked it at the beginning when it said, "Oh no..." I was like... did the book really say it, or is that just you saying it?
Dad: I think that's what the book was trying to do. To make it look like I didn't want to read the book... But did I want to read the book?
El: YES!!! YOU DID!!!!
Dad: Ready to read the review?
El: YEP!
Gwen: YEP!
Poppy: *She's pretending to be asleep in my arms like a baby. For real though, she's tired.*
Dad: Lets go read it!
*2021 Edit*
Eleanor came into the room yesterday and said, "Dad, can I show you something?"
Dad: Yes
Eleanor: *Pulls out recorder - which she uses as kindof an 'audio-photo-album'* Presses play. It's me reading The Book with No Pictures to the three of them. They are Cracking. Up. There's a lot of laughter, some reading out loud. Interruptions with giggles. There's a baby-doll of Eleanor's - which I remember - that she's also making laugh along with us. I can't get over how young they all sound. The story ends, and Eleanor has a big grin on her face.*
Dad: That was great. I can't believe how young you all sound.
*We talk about the book some.* *Eleanor keeps grinning and sitting there.*
Eleanor: And now you can add that to your 2021 read shelf as well. ONE BOOK CLOSER TO YOUR READING GOAL!!!
*(She had heard that Poppy had given me a children's book - young, young children's book - to help me on my way.)*
Dad: (laughing): Well... I have *SOME* standards. And I've already read it.
Eleanor: Well. We just read it again. And I think you should add it.
Dad: (Today, to myself): Looks like I don't have any reading standards after all. And hey: A book is a book, right? (And for real, it was really, really sweet to listen to.) (AND, it's nice to know that my family is looking out for me).
November 19, 2017
Very, very good. My son wouldn’t let me leave Pre school today without reading this to him. I got a weird look from a parent - it's sad that some don't understand the absolute importance of reading to their children! Impressed with the teacher for having it displayed with the activity that was set up on the table (big paper set up for their own drawings), and I’m impressed with the uniqueness of the book. Review to follow. I bought the book tonight, also. Love Booko.com.au!
March 10, 2017
Goodreads is about to get slammed with reviews of this book, as Novak just presented at the closing session of the American Library Association Conference. 1000 exclusive ALA ARC's were distributed, but only after hearing Novak speak. And you know what? Novak is a very smart man. Being funny is such an unfair business; it seems a lot of people enjoy throwing a wet blanket on actors and writers who are funny. If it's not your brand of funny, then there must be something wrong with the writer, never the reader, and every point you make, even legitimate, insightful things that use humor as a vehicle, get slammed as peripheral, insignificant, or amateur, especially if that writer is successful in pop culture. A lot of folks I observed weren't willing to give Novak the credit that is his due, simply because they see "celebrity" and stop listening. It's their loss. This book is not only a delightful tool for engaging young children in literacy that feels like play, but it is also making a very strong argument for the power of language that I would hope most librarians could appreciate. A comic writer and stand-up comedian, if he wishes to appeal to an educated audience, makes it his business to understand language and how we manipulate it. He is exactly the right kind of person to be writing a children's book, because he is successful, not in spite of it.
I put this children's book right up there with Battle Bunny, another excellent story and argument for the creative linguistic powers of children learning to use stories in ways that matter to them, not the author, not the publisher, not the teacher. Both Scieszka and Novak give kids the driver's seat on the trip through story, and we should celebrate this early experience in agency with literacy.
Hey Novak, call me.
I put this children's book right up there with Battle Bunny, another excellent story and argument for the creative linguistic powers of children learning to use stories in ways that matter to them, not the author, not the publisher, not the teacher. Both Scieszka and Novak give kids the driver's seat on the trip through story, and we should celebrate this early experience in agency with literacy.
Hey Novak, call me.
September 13, 2017
Why didn't I think of this?
When I was a school librarian, and the Invention of Hugo Cabret was taking the library by storm, I had a ton of parents who couldn't understand why their 1st and 2nd graders were clamoring for the giant book. They were always pleasantly surprised to find that the book was hiding a pretty big secret, the fact that the majority of the book was art. This book is kind of the opposite. Kids will feel like they're in on the secret.
As the author shared with librarians as part of his speech to the American Library Association, every kid who brings you a book to read to them is kind of a mini-producer. They bring you their favorite story, knowing that you may be reading it but that they are in control. You will huff and puff and blow the house down. You WILL make the scary voice of the witches. They own you.
This book allows kids to see that power work for them in a way that gets their imaginations and giggles all going full speed. True to title, there are absolutely no pictures in this book, not even the obligatory author photo on the book flap, but there are some amazingly ridiculous words, written in colorful and bold fonts. Kids,(and adults. Trust me, I had five adults read this before I handed it to a child), start the book out hesitantly, wondering if they've made a mistake by choosing it, until they hit that first twist.
Say what we will, but the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of people, not just kids, who run screaming from any and every book that is word-heavy. For years, book snobs have, whether admitting it or not, equated someone's literacy skills based on whether they choose books with illustrations. It's been a running joke for years. The beauty of this book is that it reminds(not really teaches) us that we can create the pictures in our own minds and that there is power in the written word.
While reading, I could instantly identify the kids who would love it, and I'm sure this one will be a great storytime choice for teachers and librarians.
When I was a school librarian, and the Invention of Hugo Cabret was taking the library by storm, I had a ton of parents who couldn't understand why their 1st and 2nd graders were clamoring for the giant book. They were always pleasantly surprised to find that the book was hiding a pretty big secret, the fact that the majority of the book was art. This book is kind of the opposite. Kids will feel like they're in on the secret.
As the author shared with librarians as part of his speech to the American Library Association, every kid who brings you a book to read to them is kind of a mini-producer. They bring you their favorite story, knowing that you may be reading it but that they are in control. You will huff and puff and blow the house down. You WILL make the scary voice of the witches. They own you.
This book allows kids to see that power work for them in a way that gets their imaginations and giggles all going full speed. True to title, there are absolutely no pictures in this book, not even the obligatory author photo on the book flap, but there are some amazingly ridiculous words, written in colorful and bold fonts. Kids,(and adults. Trust me, I had five adults read this before I handed it to a child), start the book out hesitantly, wondering if they've made a mistake by choosing it, until they hit that first twist.
Say what we will, but the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of people, not just kids, who run screaming from any and every book that is word-heavy. For years, book snobs have, whether admitting it or not, equated someone's literacy skills based on whether they choose books with illustrations. It's been a running joke for years. The beauty of this book is that it reminds(not really teaches) us that we can create the pictures in our own minds and that there is power in the written word.
While reading, I could instantly identify the kids who would love it, and I'm sure this one will be a great storytime choice for teachers and librarians.
January 10, 2018
From the perspective of a children's librarian this book is fantastic for school visits and showing children books can be fun! If you have the right person reading it with all the voices, I can see this book being a gigantic hit with a lot of kids. (I would do preschool age and up!)
February 4, 2021
Fun, utter cuteness.
This book has no pictures. At first children might think this will be boring, until they discover that the book is going to force the adult reading it to say all sorts of ridiculous things.
Children adore this. Especially forcing adults who are known to be grumpy and serious to say silly things such as:
My only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named BOO BOO BUTT.
Hopefully you love making small children giggle and squeal in delight. However, if you are too much of grumpypants and think that reading this sort of thing is humiliating, you will HATE this book.
But I think it's cute. Highly recommend to any adult with a sense of humor who regularly reads to a child/children.
This book has no pictures. At first children might think this will be boring, until they discover that the book is going to force the adult reading it to say all sorts of ridiculous things.
Children adore this. Especially forcing adults who are known to be grumpy and serious to say silly things such as:
My only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named BOO BOO BUTT.
Hopefully you love making small children giggle and squeal in delight. However, if you are too much of grumpypants and think that reading this sort of thing is humiliating, you will HATE this book.
But I think it's cute. Highly recommend to any adult with a sense of humor who regularly reads to a child/children.
October 29, 2017
Parents Beware!!! This story, while without the traditional photos, is meant to suck you in and have you read to your child. The trouble is, the book's words go on a meandering journey where you are required to admit being a "monkey brain" and utter "bluuurp" on numerous occasions. Your child will laugh (as Neo did) at all the silliness that befalls you, but remember, some of us have done it before you and survived. It has become Neo's favourite book ever... as he loves to see me utter all those phrases as he tries to catch his breath.
November 29, 2023
First book that introduces to the concept of no pictures...big step for all of us. I think this is a great way to 'ease' children into books without pictures; it does take a little getting use to when you have been reading nothing but books with pictures for a couple years. A great 'transition' book that will sure to be of interest to both children and parents.
October 24, 2018
The students I read this to during our reading time laughed at all the nonsense words that I had to utter. I love the concept, but it was not really one of my favorite read aloud.
September 19, 2025
این کتاب بدون هیچی تصویری در حوزهی کتابهای کودک طراحی شده و هدف این بوده که با لحنهای مختلف برای کودکان خوانده شود و به نوعی راهی برای تخلیهی هیجانات از طریق خواندن و گفتن باشد. کودکان برای درک بهتر از تخیل خود استفاده کنند و از مهارت شنیداری خود استفاده کنند.
March 14, 2019
My daughter brought me this book from the school library and insisted that I should read it to her immediately. I haven't heard of it before and I didn't even notice that the author is a well-known comedian 😏
I should have known better!
So, yes I read the book out loud without realising what this was about.
Yes, this book has no pictures.
Yes, this book is funny.
Yes, I was wondering what the heck I was reading.
Overall a very very very very pleasant experience.
And obviously shows to the children who prefer picture books that books without pictures can also be interesting, funny, entertaining and worthy of rereading!
I should have known better!
So, yes I read the book out loud without realising what this was about.
Yes, this book has no pictures.
Yes, this book is funny.
Yes, I was wondering what the heck I was reading.
Overall a very very very very pleasant experience.
And obviously shows to the children who prefer picture books that books without pictures can also be interesting, funny, entertaining and worthy of rereading!
April 28, 2017
I did not think I would enjoy "The Book With No Pictures", but it ended up being one of my favorite children's books. It calls for interaction between child and adult, and because it is fueled by imagination, the story can be wildly different every time. B.J. Novak really hit this one out of the park.
August 3, 2016
LO AMO. NO PUEDO DEJAR DE REÍR
June 14, 2015
The learning-to-read process for children always includes the eventual climb from picture books to picture books with words and then finally, novels. What if this was completely reversed and the first books for children had NO pictures? This is the imaginative approach spawned by actor/producer/writer/author BJ Novak in, “The Book with No Pictures”.
“The Book with No Pictures” is a creative and uniquely stylized book targeting children up to about age 7 (per the author and publishers). In a sense, the book has no plot and is simply colored words and phrases (literally and figuratively) but will induce laughter in children with their nonsensical meanings. “The Book with No Pictures” is set-up so that adults read the humorous words but then also a parental side dialogue. One may think that young children are not interested in reading a book without pictures but think again: they love it!
The great thing about “The Book with No Pictures” is that it encourages the growth to reading novels and fast-forwards the love for text. Yet, the attention span of children is not lost because they want to see the silly words and how they are spelled. Novak truly puts a spin on books for this age group which makes “The Book with No Pictures” certainly stand out.
Novak’s “The Book with No Pictures” is very short and therefore isn’t pushing the text TOO much for those children used to pictures. Again though, it helps that the text is presented in colored font so in a sense the pages still embody some artwork that children are used to.
I’ve read this book to children at the library from ages 3-7 and the entire group was laughing beyond belief. I was shocked at how much they enjoyed a book without drawings/pictures! I also attended a book reading/signing from Novak on October 25, 2014 in Los Angeles; and the group of children in attendance were joyously giggling. Their laughter was genuine and they even asked Novak to read it again! It should be noted that Novak was great with kids and said that he DID “test” the book on children before it was published. Bottom line: it’s evident that children love “The Book with No Pictures” so parents can’t go wrong with it.
Overall, “The Book with No Pictures” is simple but completely different from the typical books out there. Filled with silliness, humor, and encouraging novel reading; this kid-tested book is a solid winner.
“The Book with No Pictures” is a creative and uniquely stylized book targeting children up to about age 7 (per the author and publishers). In a sense, the book has no plot and is simply colored words and phrases (literally and figuratively) but will induce laughter in children with their nonsensical meanings. “The Book with No Pictures” is set-up so that adults read the humorous words but then also a parental side dialogue. One may think that young children are not interested in reading a book without pictures but think again: they love it!
The great thing about “The Book with No Pictures” is that it encourages the growth to reading novels and fast-forwards the love for text. Yet, the attention span of children is not lost because they want to see the silly words and how they are spelled. Novak truly puts a spin on books for this age group which makes “The Book with No Pictures” certainly stand out.
Novak’s “The Book with No Pictures” is very short and therefore isn’t pushing the text TOO much for those children used to pictures. Again though, it helps that the text is presented in colored font so in a sense the pages still embody some artwork that children are used to.
I’ve read this book to children at the library from ages 3-7 and the entire group was laughing beyond belief. I was shocked at how much they enjoyed a book without drawings/pictures! I also attended a book reading/signing from Novak on October 25, 2014 in Los Angeles; and the group of children in attendance were joyously giggling. Their laughter was genuine and they even asked Novak to read it again! It should be noted that Novak was great with kids and said that he DID “test” the book on children before it was published. Bottom line: it’s evident that children love “The Book with No Pictures” so parents can’t go wrong with it.
Overall, “The Book with No Pictures” is simple but completely different from the typical books out there. Filled with silliness, humor, and encouraging novel reading; this kid-tested book is a solid winner.
May 30, 2020
I just read this with Busy Phillips doing expert narration. The other choice was the author, which I'm going to choose next, because I can. Overdrive has offered me both.
Truth: "Here is how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. No matter what."
Challenge accepted. The result is the BEST. KIDS. BOOK. EVER. A true gigglefest.
I want grandchildren just so I can read this book to them.
Truth: "Here is how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. No matter what."
Challenge accepted. The result is the BEST. KIDS. BOOK. EVER. A true gigglefest.
I want grandchildren just so I can read this book to them.
October 5, 2014
Mo Willems did it first (with We Are In A Book!) and did it better, in a way that will actually engage children with the story. I'm sure this was a fun project for the author and netted him a good paycheck from parents who are fans of his acting work, but it's something you can easily skip as part of your library's collection.
December 12, 2015
5 stars?
No sir, this book is not a 5 star book, it is a 10 star book.
You will laugh and laugh and laugh as will the child and anyone else around you.
Rediculous and awesome.
No sir, this book is not a 5 star book, it is a 10 star book.
You will laugh and laugh and laugh as will the child and anyone else around you.
Rediculous and awesome.
September 30, 2016
Ok, I understand the moral. However it is not fun at all!
I would like to quote George Bernard Shaw when he said:
I would like to quote George Bernard Shaw when he said:
March 15, 2016
This is a fun children's book.
August 16, 2016
Un libro que se lee en una sentada, una gran broma a los libros con dibujos.
Gracioso, así sin más.
Gracioso, así sin más.
June 20, 2020
Update: I just realized that the author of this book is our good old Ryan from The Office. I hadn't noticed the name of the author when I read it. In light of this pleasant discovery, I just want to add some metaphorical stars to the book because B. J. Novak is hilarious. My rating will remain the same though.
Original Review:
This would be a very fun thing to read aloud to children. (As it is intended!)
Not that fun to read silently on your own.
Too bad I don’t have any children around me to read this to, and probably never will.
Original Review:
This would be a very fun thing to read aloud to children. (As it is intended!)
Not that fun to read silently on your own.
Too bad I don’t have any children around me to read this to, and probably never will.
June 30, 2024
What I like most about B.J. Novak’s The Book with No Pictures is the narrators reading in silly dialects. Primary colors are uses for words that change size and shape. ”Boo Boo Butt” made me laugh out loud.
Grown-ups who read this without narration MUST use silly sounds.
Borrowed from the library on the Overdrive app. The version delivered is the print version digitally with the narrator, B.J. Novak himself plus Busy Phillips can also be selected for reading the book. You can also read yourself.
What I did was begin with the author reading and the book automatically starts with Busy once the first reading is completed. Read a second time.
With a child doing this version from the library on the app on the third read encourage the child's imagination while making the silly sounds as they read.
If an emergent reader has the child repeat after you while making their distinct interpretation of how to say the words in their dialect.
Who says we're ever too old to be read to is clueless of its joy at any age. Especially for an aspiring children’s series writer 😊
Other highlights: well thought out use of primary colors and word shapes. Simplistic imaginative details. The book from the library Overdrive app auto fed the pages, include wonderfully creative narrator voices to enhance the story.
Overall, this or other children’s books from B.J. are a silly way to engage children creatively. Well worth a borrow from the library.
Once finished, share snacks and discuss open-ended questions about made-up sounds and words.
Encourage the children to make up their own silly words and give them sounds.
The possibilities are unlimited on where these answers can lead children.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💯❤️
Grown-ups who read this without narration MUST use silly sounds.
Borrowed from the library on the Overdrive app. The version delivered is the print version digitally with the narrator, B.J. Novak himself plus Busy Phillips can also be selected for reading the book. You can also read yourself.
What I did was begin with the author reading and the book automatically starts with Busy once the first reading is completed. Read a second time.
With a child doing this version from the library on the app on the third read encourage the child's imagination while making the silly sounds as they read.
If an emergent reader has the child repeat after you while making their distinct interpretation of how to say the words in their dialect.
Who says we're ever too old to be read to is clueless of its joy at any age. Especially for an aspiring children’s series writer 😊
Other highlights: well thought out use of primary colors and word shapes. Simplistic imaginative details. The book from the library Overdrive app auto fed the pages, include wonderfully creative narrator voices to enhance the story.
Overall, this or other children’s books from B.J. are a silly way to engage children creatively. Well worth a borrow from the library.
Once finished, share snacks and discuss open-ended questions about made-up sounds and words.
Encourage the children to make up their own silly words and give them sounds.
The possibilities are unlimited on where these answers can lead children.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💯❤️
September 11, 2019
I'm not part of the intended audience but I had fun for about 2 minutes *that's how long it takes to read this book*.
March 6, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Do not judge this book by its bland cover. The Book With No Pictures may look dull, boring and mundane, but once you open B.J. Novak’s picture book creation, you will be taken aback by the sheer power of the written word.
In our household, B.J. Novak is best known as one of our favourite characters in the television comedy series The Office. However, The Book With No Pictures sees this screen star leave his acting career aside, in favour of a new title as a children’s picture book author. A book that contains a warning on the back cover, is sure to gain anyone’s full attention. I admit I was immediately intrigued! This book quite brazenly declares that it is ‘COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS’. While The Book With No Pictures may look serious, this is far from the case once you begin your reading experience with B.J. Novak’s first picture book presentation. This book is an interactive journey, which requires that the reader say odd words, nonsense phrases and perform outrageous things, all in the name of words! It is guaranteed to induce more than a few big belly laughs.
As an early childhood educator, I own and have read many picture books during my career. But, I don’t think I have encountered a book quite like The Book With No Pictures. It is offbeat, quirky, creative and a departure from the picture books I tend to read to my students. This isn’t a cute animal story, but an intelligent play on words that demands the full participation of the reader and the audience following along with this zany book.
With the strong emphasis on words, many of which are made up nonsense words, the reader is invited to take a journey through a series of wacky requests. If you find yourself in the reader’s hot seat, expect to be placed in a variety of fun and unexpected reading scenarios, thanks to B.J. Novak’s creation. You may even find yourself composing a song, or becoming a monkey robot! Sounds strange? Well it is, but the humour derived from the pages of this comical picture book is just phenomenal. I was surprised that my audience, comprised of a group of forty six and seven year olds, who had previously read this book, still lapped up every moment the text had to offer. There is obviously something very special about The Book With No Pictures, which seems to speak to young children.
As this is a book that clearly states it has no pictures, the text is used to full effect. With variations in the text size, colour and type, I was surprised by how my eyes remained glued to the pages of this story, despite the lack of vibrant illustrations and splashes of colour. This really speaks volumes about the value of words themselves and the capacity carefully selected prose has to draw readers in.
I was left a little red faced after putting myself in a few silly situations while reading this book to my students, but it was worth it to see the smiles, joy and genuine laughter that came from the simple experience of sharing this book. The Book With No Pictures is definitely a text you will want to revisit, with its playful tone, it will be sure to brighten up your day.
Do not judge this book by its bland cover. The Book With No Pictures may look dull, boring and mundane, but once you open B.J. Novak’s picture book creation, you will be taken aback by the sheer power of the written word.
In our household, B.J. Novak is best known as one of our favourite characters in the television comedy series The Office. However, The Book With No Pictures sees this screen star leave his acting career aside, in favour of a new title as a children’s picture book author. A book that contains a warning on the back cover, is sure to gain anyone’s full attention. I admit I was immediately intrigued! This book quite brazenly declares that it is ‘COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS’. While The Book With No Pictures may look serious, this is far from the case once you begin your reading experience with B.J. Novak’s first picture book presentation. This book is an interactive journey, which requires that the reader say odd words, nonsense phrases and perform outrageous things, all in the name of words! It is guaranteed to induce more than a few big belly laughs.
As an early childhood educator, I own and have read many picture books during my career. But, I don’t think I have encountered a book quite like The Book With No Pictures. It is offbeat, quirky, creative and a departure from the picture books I tend to read to my students. This isn’t a cute animal story, but an intelligent play on words that demands the full participation of the reader and the audience following along with this zany book.
With the strong emphasis on words, many of which are made up nonsense words, the reader is invited to take a journey through a series of wacky requests. If you find yourself in the reader’s hot seat, expect to be placed in a variety of fun and unexpected reading scenarios, thanks to B.J. Novak’s creation. You may even find yourself composing a song, or becoming a monkey robot! Sounds strange? Well it is, but the humour derived from the pages of this comical picture book is just phenomenal. I was surprised that my audience, comprised of a group of forty six and seven year olds, who had previously read this book, still lapped up every moment the text had to offer. There is obviously something very special about The Book With No Pictures, which seems to speak to young children.
As this is a book that clearly states it has no pictures, the text is used to full effect. With variations in the text size, colour and type, I was surprised by how my eyes remained glued to the pages of this story, despite the lack of vibrant illustrations and splashes of colour. This really speaks volumes about the value of words themselves and the capacity carefully selected prose has to draw readers in.
I was left a little red faced after putting myself in a few silly situations while reading this book to my students, but it was worth it to see the smiles, joy and genuine laughter that came from the simple experience of sharing this book. The Book With No Pictures is definitely a text you will want to revisit, with its playful tone, it will be sure to brighten up your day.
April 4, 2015
Prepare for giggles galore with young children. There are no pictures and the book starts with plain, ordinary, black font. Then it explodes with color and different fonts. Basically, the reader is at the whim of the author. The author gets the reader to read the most ridiculous things because, as the reader, you MUST read whatever the book says....no matter what! Even if you say things like,
So you get the idea. The reader sings a silly song and reads imaginary words as well.
Now, some parents are picky about certain words, so if you can't handle reading the phrase, "boo boo butt", then skip this hilarious book. In my opinion, that's the only phrase that some might see as inappropriate.
My kids took turns reading it with each other and even learned some new big words like ridiculous and preposterous , so I'm happy.
I am a monkey who taught myself to read...and now I am reading you this book with my monkey mouth in my monkey voice...and my head is made of blueberry pizza.
So you get the idea. The reader sings a silly song and reads imaginary words as well.
Now, some parents are picky about certain words, so if you can't handle reading the phrase, "boo boo butt", then skip this hilarious book. In my opinion, that's the only phrase that some might see as inappropriate.
My kids took turns reading it with each other and even learned some new big words like ridiculous and preposterous , so I'm happy.
December 26, 2014
A book that absolutely demands to be read aloud is B. J. Novak’s The Book with No Pictures. The title says it true — there are no pictures at all. What there is is lots of silliness that is all designed to push the poor adult reading the book aloud into more and more awkwardness. And what kid doesn’t like seeing an adult put him or herself into the silliest position possible? While my 4th graders got a kick out of this one, I would guess it would be especially beloved (and demanded over and over) by younger kids. Novak plays with the whole methodology of reading aloud in a very entertaining and clever way. (From this HuffPo blog post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/monica-...)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/monica-...)
November 11, 2025
This is quite literally, a book with no pictures. It's black and white text and has an overall goofy narrative that prompts the reader to say silly words with various inflections.
I thought this was a really fun book when it first came out...now I realize...it's a performance piece. So, just be aware when you read it...there's an expectation for excitement and high energy.
It's very difficult to read in a soothing way...so it might get hidden on calm or chill nights.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
I thought this was a really fun book when it first came out...now I realize...it's a performance piece. So, just be aware when you read it...there's an expectation for excitement and high energy.
It's very difficult to read in a soothing way...so it might get hidden on calm or chill nights.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
December 30, 2018
5 Best Christmas Present STARS
Un libro muy divertido y que explota la imaginación de los niños.
Si le dan este libro a un niño, no esperen que lo disfrute o que le llame la atención, la experiencia con este libro va de la mano a que los padres o la persona leyéndole el libro al niño se preste a la diversión y adentrarse al juego.
A mí me pareció muy divertido, hacer el cambio de voces, exagerando los diálogos y demás, si ya se, yo y mi hija somos muy extras.
Un libro muy divertido y que explota la imaginación de los niños.
Si le dan este libro a un niño, no esperen que lo disfrute o que le llame la atención, la experiencia con este libro va de la mano a que los padres o la persona leyéndole el libro al niño se preste a la diversión y adentrarse al juego.
A mí me pareció muy divertido, hacer el cambio de voces, exagerando los diálogos y demás, si ya se, yo y mi hija somos muy extras.
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