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This Is Not a Picture Book!
In this quirky yet sweet picture book about the joy and power of reading, Duck learns that even books without pictures can be fun. While he and his friend Bug may struggle at first to decipher their book, they stick with it, and before long they discover that not only can they read it, but it deserves a place on the shelf with all their favorite picture books. Author-artist Sergio Ruzzier has created a fanciful tribute to books of all kinds. It includes both words AND pictures.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
5 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Sergio Ruzzier
75 books105 followersWebsite and blog: http://www.ruzzier.com
Sergio Ruzzier was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966.
He began his career as an illustrator in 1986.
In 1995 he moved to New York City, where he’s been creating pictures and stories for national and international magazines and book publishers.
His work has been awarded by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and The Society of Publication Designers.
He won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal for “The Room of Wonders” and for his illustrations for “Why Mole Shouted."
He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship.
Sergio Ruzzier was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966.
He began his career as an illustrator in 1986.
In 1995 he moved to New York City, where he’s been creating pictures and stories for national and international magazines and book publishers.
His work has been awarded by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and The Society of Publication Designers.
He won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal for “The Room of Wonders” and for his illustrations for “Why Mole Shouted."
He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
May 3, 2016
AWWWWWW! (read that in a super squealy voice, please)
Remember when you were first learning to read? Remember when you picked up a book that didn't have pictures and you panicked a little bit because you were out of your comfort zone but then you recognized one of the words on a page and you had that realization that this book was made of all the same words that you already knew, you just didn't recognize them in written form, yet, but soon would?
That's what this book is about.
I don't remember that feeling firsthand but I remember feeling my firsthand memory when I was helping my siblings learn to read. I remember watching that bridge form, from pictures being the stories to words being the stories, in their little heads. That's what is illustrated here, in this book, simply and joyfully. It introduces new readers to the concept of reading books without pictures and it gives a sense of nostalgia and maybe even compassion to older readers who have been doing this not-a-picture-book thing for a long time.
Remember when you were first learning to read? Remember when you picked up a book that didn't have pictures and you panicked a little bit because you were out of your comfort zone but then you recognized one of the words on a page and you had that realization that this book was made of all the same words that you already knew, you just didn't recognize them in written form, yet, but soon would?
That's what this book is about.
I don't remember that feeling firsthand but I remember feeling my firsthand memory when I was helping my siblings learn to read. I remember watching that bridge form, from pictures being the stories to words being the stories, in their little heads. That's what is illustrated here, in this book, simply and joyfully. It introduces new readers to the concept of reading books without pictures and it gives a sense of nostalgia and maybe even compassion to older readers who have been doing this not-a-picture-book thing for a long time.
January 15, 2021
Un libro muy corto y divertido sobre el poder de las palabras de un libro y cómo llenan tu vida de color, de fantasía, de alegrías y tristezas, te ayudan a viajar y te enseñan, y se quedan contigo. Creo que es una metáfora muy bonita y tierna, que enseña a los pequeños lectores qué se consigue a través de las palabras de un libro.
Me han gustado muchísimo los dibujos y la historia en sí. De hecho, da pie a leerlo una y otra vez (así lo he hecho yo con mis hijos, y eso que se supone que son algo mayores). Dibujos divertidos. Frases cortas y directas.
Lo recomendaría tanto para niños pequeños, a los que puedes leerles el libro mientras observaba las ilustraciones, ya que al ser muy corto no hay miedo de que se cansen, como a niños grandes que sepan disfrutar de su mensaje.
Por cierto, en las guardas del libro está narrado el cuento (en italiano y en castellano), lo que me ha parecido maravilloso.
Me han gustado muchísimo los dibujos y la historia en sí. De hecho, da pie a leerlo una y otra vez (así lo he hecho yo con mis hijos, y eso que se supone que son algo mayores). Dibujos divertidos. Frases cortas y directas.
Lo recomendaría tanto para niños pequeños, a los que puedes leerles el libro mientras observaba las ilustraciones, ya que al ser muy corto no hay miedo de que se cansen, como a niños grandes que sepan disfrutar de su mensaje.
Por cierto, en las guardas del libro está narrado el cuento (en italiano y en castellano), lo que me ha parecido maravilloso.
January 18, 2016
Love, love, love this book
February 25, 2020
A little creature grows frustrated with his book in this charming tale from expatriate Italian artist Sergio Ruzzier, throwing it away because it has no pictures. Repenting almost immediately, he reclaims it, realizing that he does indeed know some of the words, and that those words can do extraordinary things. They can evoke all kinds of emotions, take him on journeys far and near, and remain with him... always.
Through pure serendipity, I recently read Ruzzier's argument against the idea of reading levels - see: Let Kids Read by Sergio Ruzzier - in which the artist speaks of his great love of picture-books, both as a young boy, and as he grew older. How appropriate that here, in "This Is Not a Picture Book!", we have an exploration of a child's frustration with books that don't have illustrations. Although the text here is minimal, it conveys the magic of words - their power and lasting impact. The artwork, done in pen, ink and watercolor, is charming. Recommended to anyone who enjoys more metafictional picture-books, or narratives which celebrate the power of reading.
Through pure serendipity, I recently read Ruzzier's argument against the idea of reading levels - see: Let Kids Read by Sergio Ruzzier - in which the artist speaks of his great love of picture-books, both as a young boy, and as he grew older. How appropriate that here, in "This Is Not a Picture Book!", we have an exploration of a child's frustration with books that don't have illustrations. Although the text here is minimal, it conveys the magic of words - their power and lasting impact. The artwork, done in pen, ink and watercolor, is charming. Recommended to anyone who enjoys more metafictional picture-books, or narratives which celebrate the power of reading.
May 15, 2016
It's an adorable book, with one exception. The incident where the fellow kicks the book away and calls it "stupid" is difficult to share with children. Couldn't this incident have been done a little gentler? This incident would call for a teaching moment on using the word "stupid." Yet, I loved the book! The story and the pictures are powerful! Emotions run the gamut in this book. Kids will love it!
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March 11, 2016A picture book to convince a kid they can read a book that's not a picture book. Leave it to Sergio Ruzzier to give us this quirky, wonderful, deep gem!
May 25, 2018
A loving tribute to words, books, and the joys of reading!
I loved the dreamy illustrations, particularly the shelf filled with books.
What a happy book.
I loved the dreamy illustrations, particularly the shelf filled with books.
What a happy book.
May 18, 2016
This book was so great! Children, young adults, and adults would love this book because the story is illustrated in such a way where it explains what is going, even though it is not a picture book.
May 4, 2016
Duck discovers a book that doesn’t have any pictures in it. He takes a look at it but kicks it away. When his friend Bug asks if he can read it, Ducks starts to try. But words can be difficult to read. He does see some words that he knows and keeps on trying. Soon Duck is finding that words can take him special places, on wild adventures or into quiet calmness. Words can be funny or sad. And words return you home again in the end, where they stay with you. Even in a book with no pictures!
Ruzzier has created a picture book that proudly sends children on their way to harder reads where they won’t have pictures to ease the way. The way that Duck deals with it, first to be frustrated and then to work hard at it speaks volumes about the way that children work to learn to read better and better. There is also a strong and soaring message about the power of words themselves and how they can convey emotions and meaning.
The book design here is wonderful. The end pages are filled with words that are just jumbled enough to be confusing, but if readers work like Duck did, they can puzzle their way into making sense of them. Ruzzier’s illustrations are always a bit wacky with strange landscapes and bright colors. The settings match what Duck is reading, showing through pictures what the words are conveying.
An inspirational book that will encourage reading, this book certainly IS a picture book that belongs in all libraries. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ruzzier has created a picture book that proudly sends children on their way to harder reads where they won’t have pictures to ease the way. The way that Duck deals with it, first to be frustrated and then to work hard at it speaks volumes about the way that children work to learn to read better and better. There is also a strong and soaring message about the power of words themselves and how they can convey emotions and meaning.
The book design here is wonderful. The end pages are filled with words that are just jumbled enough to be confusing, but if readers work like Duck did, they can puzzle their way into making sense of them. Ruzzier’s illustrations are always a bit wacky with strange landscapes and bright colors. The settings match what Duck is reading, showing through pictures what the words are conveying.
An inspirational book that will encourage reading, this book certainly IS a picture book that belongs in all libraries. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
December 6, 2016
While this book is not one of my favorites for 2016, it is a cute book and it has appeared on several best of lists, so it is definitely in the running for the ALA Awards. This story revolves around a duckling who opens a book only to discover that the book doesn't have any pictures, it's all text. At first this makes him mad and he throws the book. But afterwords he feels bad and picks it back up and starts to read it. When a bookworm shows up and asks him if he can read it, he isn't sure at first, but he keeps at it and eventually finds himself creating his own pictures to go with the words. By the time he is finished, he is thoroughly in love with the book. Interestingly, the words on the front end papers are in jibberish with a few recognizable words mixed in. But the back end papers are completely readable. An interesting symbol of the theme of the book: that learning to read pure text can be challenging, but worth it in the end. While the illustrations here aren't my favorite, I can't deny that they are still cute and appealing, and the message is a powerful one.
March 30, 2017
For older readers who know the joy and wonder of non-picture books, this book may make you smile as you watch the creature (a duck?) discover that those kinds of books still hold great powers that can stick with you forever. Could be a good book for readers transitioning to chapter books. Or to teach/remind younger readers that there are all kinds of books, and they are each wonderful. But not sure if this is one I would share in storytime. Maybe.... Will think on it.
2/1/17 Gave it a shot for my D Preschool theme (since he is a duck). Being more on the vague, not-quite-as-graspable-for-their-age side, I used this as the opener knowing I always get late-comers. Did a little more explaining, and they seemed to sort of get it. Not an I love this, but not awful. Older crowd would still be better. Adults smiled.
2/1/17 Gave it a shot for my D Preschool theme (since he is a duck). Being more on the vague, not-quite-as-graspable-for-their-age side, I used this as the opener knowing I always get late-comers. Did a little more explaining, and they seemed to sort of get it. Not an I love this, but not awful. Older crowd would still be better. Adults smiled.
May 20, 2016
Love, love, LOVE this book! It is such a sweet story, and the illustrations are wonderful! And the end pages are a clever surprise.
February 7, 2017
A cute picturebook celebrating the journey into a book with no pictures through the "map" of the words....
December 22, 2020
I don't get it.
This is a picture book celebrating the power of books without pictures.
I think the message would have been stronger (and less confusing) had the book had no pictures. And the title just makes no sense. Are we gaslighting kids now? This is most definitely a picture book!
There are better books out there that celebrate reading.
This is a picture book celebrating the power of books without pictures.
I think the message would have been stronger (and less confusing) had the book had no pictures. And the title just makes no sense. Are we gaslighting kids now? This is most definitely a picture book!
There are better books out there that celebrate reading.
January 23, 2022
Un libro corto, pero amoroso, adorable y que volvería a leer cuando las palabras se me agoten.
October 19, 2022
A very short book that tugs at your heartstrings so much! I recommend it not just for children but adults. The illustrations are also very lovely and contribute a lot to the overall experience. The best part is that there's actually a story (a very short one) with a moral too! Well done, Sergio!
July 4, 2017
This Is Not a Picture Book! is a short and sweet picturebook about the struggles and joys of learning how to read, as well as about the power of words to convey emotions and to paint pictures in the reader's imagination.
The experience of learning how to read is ingeniously demonstrated by the book's endpapers. The front endpapers contain the script of the book's story with just a few recognizable words. It's not a complete gibberish because the words are there; however, their letters are scrambled so that the reader has to struggle to figure out what the word is, just like the beginning reader does. The back endpapers, on the other hand, contain the same text but it's completely readable this time, demonstrating the "transformation" of the text when one learns to decipher it. Nice touch!
Sergio Ruzzier's illustrations are colorful, imaginative, and playful:
Although the drawing style is not my favorite (is that a duck? with a belly button???), the book's message and design are great.
"All these words carry you away... and then... they bring you home... where they stay with you forever."
The experience of learning how to read is ingeniously demonstrated by the book's endpapers. The front endpapers contain the script of the book's story with just a few recognizable words. It's not a complete gibberish because the words are there; however, their letters are scrambled so that the reader has to struggle to figure out what the word is, just like the beginning reader does. The back endpapers, on the other hand, contain the same text but it's completely readable this time, demonstrating the "transformation" of the text when one learns to decipher it. Nice touch!
Sergio Ruzzier's illustrations are colorful, imaginative, and playful:
Although the drawing style is not my favorite (is that a duck? with a belly button???), the book's message and design are great.
February 27, 2016
To his dismay and disappointment, a duck finds a book, but it contains no pictures. He and his bug friend work hard to read it, and eventually he realizes that he actually recognizes some of the words. After spending some time with the book, they both acknowledge the infinite power of words to take us somewhere unfamiliar and then bring us back to our familiar words. I like the positive message about literacy and all the places and emotions books can allow readers to explore and the soft pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations. This is a good title for sharing with others while savoring the delights reading has brought into our own lives. As I read this one, I couldn't help reflecting on how dismal my own life might have been without the wonders of literacy.
June 13, 2016
Duckling picks up a book but is disgusted when he realizes that it's all words and no pictures. He doesn't know any of these words! How will he possibly read the book? How do you illustrate the frustrating divide between almost-reading and reading? Here you go! Ruzzier's watercolors manage it deftly, with all the landscapes that a little duckling could imagine as the book goes on.
Delightfully, the full story is printed on the endpapers: once all mixed up with letters flipped and flopped (looking every bit as intimidating as the duckling fears), and finally set to rights in a real story.
Delightfully, the full story is printed on the endpapers: once all mixed up with letters flipped and flopped (looking every bit as intimidating as the duckling fears), and finally set to rights in a real story.
April 17, 2016
I loved the concept of this book, and it's charming watercolor illustrations. A book about the power of words and stories, and the importance of persevering and trying something you're not sure you can do. I just had a slight issue with the flow of the story when the text changed in the middle from first person to second person.
Pay special attention to the end papers - a whole story in itself!
Pay special attention to the end papers - a whole story in itself!
June 30, 2016
Lovable on so many levels, with questions of word-reading, meaning-reading, visualization, book concepts, and concepts of the book. Author/illustrator Ruzzier explores this and more in his minimalist, humorous, and re-readable to the Nth degree picture book. (And it is a picture book, regardless of the title or endpapers!)
March 17, 2017
I should probably have liked this more, but again, these ratings are strictly for my own purposes. It's a sweet and cute book about learning that even those nasty old books with no pictures can take you to wonderful new worlds that evoke many different emotions. I just personally didn't find it that amazing. 2.5 stars. Maybe I should reread when I don't have a horrendous cold.
July 12, 2016
For anyone who has ever been around, lives with, or teaches "pre-readers" who need a little confidence, THIS is the book for you! Adorable and humorous, it invites youngsters to take a chance and give reading a go. Recommend it highly!
August 7, 2016
For anyone who has ever snubbed a book because it didn't have pictures. The young reader in this book quickly learns that words have power and create wonderful images in our minds. Short, sweet, and a tad sophisticated for younger readers.
December 8, 2016
This was not a bad book, but it was way too meta for me. It is a picture book, where the pictures are super important to the meaning of the story, but it is about reading a book with no pictures in it. I just can't see the point and I didn't really like the illustrations.
September 18, 2017
A sweet tale, illustrated with watercolors in a gentle palette, about the way words can carry away the reader. The inner journey will be lost on younger readers, who are more likely to think that Duckling and Bookbug have embarked on literal, rather than metaphorical, travels.
March 28, 2016
Ruzzier perfectly captures what books do for readers and the power of imagination.
May 4, 2016
I wish I loved his art more, but a lovely book.
June 5, 2016
With sparse text and quirky illustrations, Ruzzier manages to convey the joy found in books and words.
August 4, 2016
Beautifully illustrated book!
A great story to illustrate the joy of falling in love with reading! Definitely introduce this to readers who are hesitant of reading picture-less books.
A great story to illustrate the joy of falling in love with reading! Definitely introduce this to readers who are hesitant of reading picture-less books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews