Book

by George Ella Lyon, Peter Catalanotto (Illustrator)

A girl in red flannel pj's reaches toward a panel in the night sky, in this highy illustrated book. The panel, one of four, bears a "B" for book. Then she is inside the panel, and sees a castle, a cave, dancing wild ponies, all passing wonders in the sequence of imaginative spreads.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 1999

About the author

George Ella Lyon is a Kentucky author who has published in many genres, including picture books, poetry, juvenile novels, and articles.

Reviews

[Nick Westurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was honestly a very interesting book, mostly just due to the complexity of the art, but also for the poetic form it takes on throughout the story. I actually found this book at a second hand book shop and the interior is signed by the author, and I think that adds even more value to what this book represents. I highly recommend this book as a read regardless of age, purely because it's oddly inspirational

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the words are used and I love the illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dear Reader,
Look at the book you have just opened.
What is it you hold in your hand?"

The power of a book to transport the reader, to inspire a meeting between reader and author, to elicit a response and to "feed the tree of life."

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an actual story, but an illustrated poem, the text here describes what a book can be to its reader. Older readers might appreciate the metaphors referred to, or maybe this would be a good book to introduce readers to metaphors. I do love the poem, and wish that it had been printed in its entirety at the end of the book. The illustrations are fanciful and reflect the imagination of the child depicted with her book. I especially like the illustration of the galloping horse whose head is turning into a flock of birds. I'd use this with upper elementary age kids. The poem is a nice read aloud for young and old alike.

[Bonnie Pohlig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly how I feel when I read a book! I love this part - "reader, you are its weather: your tears, your eyes shining. The writer, working these words, cried and laughed, too. Now you meet as the gate of the book swings wide." I love the idea that through a book, the reader and writer can meet. It has beautiful pictures as well. The cover illustration is especially nice as it portrays the idea of meta-poetry, or meta-literature.

[Kelly Powell]

While going through this book I truly realized how important illustrations can be to a story since this book has the most enticing pictures imaginable. The poetic words are also a favorite of mine because I love when the words to the story flow off the tongue. This book may seem like an easy read but the more you pay attention to every detail and reread the story the more you see and understand about the story and I love the challenge making this a favorite book of mine.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has beautiful illustrations. I got sucked into the cheesiness of the language though. It's trying to convince people to love books but I think would be most appealing to book lovers anyway.

[Daisy_walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis is a wonderful book that tells the power of a book. How it can take you to new worlds. I want to share this with my students to tell them about how wonderful books are and what they mean to me. Borrow this from the library!

[drowningmermaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

The word-illustrations, with a lot of backwards words, were a bit confusing to me, and go against my principle of reading every word in a book. Sort of ironic given that the book is a hymn in praise of books.

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too contrived and cheesy to really be effective.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book were beautifully done, making the poetry and the art dovetail nicely. I especially liked the illustration of the author with words bursting from him.

[Chris Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book explores the limitless wonder of reading and a reader's relationship to the author. I wasn't a fan of the artwork, though I can definitely get behind the message.

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another children's book useful for read alouds, inspiring creative writing.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful attempt at capturing through words and pictures what books mean, can do, offer....deceiving in its initial simplicity, will give you lots to contemplate.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book metaphors!