Nothing

by Mick Inkpen

Nothing, an old toy abandoned in an attic, sets out on a journey to find his true identity and is given a new lease on life when he finally winds up in the hands of Grandpa.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Animals, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 1995

About the author

Mick Inkpen is one of the most popular author/illustrators in the world. His books have sold over 4 million copies, and have been translated into over twenty different languages. His best-loved characters are probably Kipper and Wibbly Pig – who are both stars of their very own TV series!

He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”

Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.

He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.

In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”

Reviews

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I don't know who I am!' he howled. 'I don't know who I am!'

cuz kids love bleak existentialism.

after reading miriam's review of this book, i knew i had to get my hands on a copy of my own.

i am someone who feels the suffering of stuffed animals as powerfully as i feel the suffering of dogs and cats in those horrifically long commercials where sarah mclachlan guilt trips you like crazy. maybe it's the fault of The Velveteen Rabbit, but when i was little and we were supposed to be hit with a hurricane, i carried all my stuffie friends down to the basement for safety. a few years back, i had a tearful breakdown when my dad told me that mice had treated those same childhood stuffed animals he'd had stored in his garage as luxury apartments; moving into them and chewing and pooping and breeding like they were rock stars in a marriott instead of just singing and making me dresses like mice are supposed to do. more recently, i suffered a second wave of breakdown when i realized that many of my bagged stuffed friends had accidentally gotten mixed up with bagged garbage and tossed during bedbug mania 2015. and i still hand-wash the stuffed bunny i sleep with every night because i don't wanna think about him getting dizzy in the dryer. (by which i mean i sleep with him every night, not that i hand wash him every night. because that would be crazy.)

now that we've catalogued my delusions, you can see that this book was right up my "make me cry, book, i dare you" alley.

The little thing in the attic at Number 47 had forgotten all about daylight. It had been squashed in the dark for so long that it could remember very little of anything. Stuck beneath years of junk, it could not recall how it felt to stand up, or it stretch out its arms.

this poor raggedy stuffie has been forgotten by its humans, and has also forgotten itself. it is worn beyond identification - no name, no idea what kind of animal it had once been meant to simulate, smooshed in the dark, unloved.



it is left behind in the attic as the family moves away, after this chilling exchange:

'What have we got here?' said a voice.
'Oh it's nothing,' said another. 'Let the new people get rid of it.'

The torch was switched off. The boxes were carried out. And moments later, somewhere down below, the front door slammed shut. Number 47 was empty.

'So that's my name,' thought the little thing, 'Nothing!'

what follows is a search for identity; a sadder and more desperate version of Are You My Mother? as the creature encounters living animals who school it in the realities of the world:

'New People always try to get rid of you.' says a mouse (who at least doesn't chew a hole in him and burrow inside)

a fox dismisses it as 'Nothing worth eating, that's for sure.'



and with each animal it meets, it remembers a little more about its former self: 'I used to have a tail!' etc.



but despite these positive flashes of memory, the tone is still chilling and full of dissociative episodes as it asks its own "odd" and "ugly" reflection repeatedly "What are you?".



until a cat comes along. and like all good books, the cat solves the mystery and makes everything okay.

i did not end up bawling into my bunny's fur after this, but i'm glad to have another book reinforcing my commitment to treating stuffed animals as though they suffer deeply when they fall out of bed. because that's a super healthy way to live.

here are some wonderful photography books that are good companions to this one:

Bears
Chewed
Much Loved
Dirty Bow Wow
Dirty Wow Wow and Other Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare Companions of Childhood

and if anyone knows of any others like these, please tell me, cuz i could look at books like this all day long.

come to my blog!

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my niece last night,so sweet!!! It's a heart warming tale and has beautiful illustrations. I think we all at one time or another have felt like nothing, but their are special people in our lives that remind us that we are loved!! It's one of the best children's books I've read.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look at that cute cover! See the smiling, cartoonish kitty?

Man, was I not expecting the book inside.

The little thing in the attic at Number 47 had forgotten all about daylight. It had been squashed in the dark for so long that it could remember very little of anything. Stuck beneath years of junk, it could not recall how it felt to stand up, or it stretch its arms. It had been there for so long, even its own name was forgotten.
...How do you think you would feel if you had been squashed in the dark for years and years?

Well, isn't this is a cheery little prison narrative? At this point I put the book aside for the next day because it was too depressing to read right before bed.

Escaping from his abandoned home after the family rejects him as trash, Nothing is sneered at by a succession of animals. He stares at his "ugly face" in a pond and weeps. He found himself shuddering and shaking, as great uncontrollable sobs quivered up his raggedy body and sat him on the ground. "I don't know who I am!" he howled. "I don't know who I am!"

Wow. This is some pretty hardcore misery to be sharing with little kids. Things get a bit cheerier after Nothing meets a happy-go-lucky cat, but I really didn't get the point of this book. No. Your cast-aside childhood toys are not suffering as if in solitary confinement aggravated by torture. Why would we want children to think this?

[Briony Bastin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction before the book starts
Double meaning for "nothing"

[Nadhira Ramadhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family that lives at Number 47 decides to move to a new house expecting the arrival of a new born. Unintentionally an old toy is left behind in the attic which has been kept away stacked underneath pile of items for years. They have noticed and wondered what it is, they have called it ‘Nothing’. This Nothing toy comes to life and tracks his journey in finding his identity. He meets a mouse, fox, frog and a cat which rekindles his memory of who he might have been. His last encounter was with a cat named Toby, who is from a line of Tobies. He helps nothing by taking him to the new house and places Nothing on Grandpa’s arm. Suddenly Grandpa had an inkling of who this Nothing was and brought out an old photo. In the photograph was Grandpa as a baby with Toby and Nothing. Nothing is restored back with a good wash and some scrap of material to become the Little Toby once more. The end of the book finishes with the new born holding the restored Little Toby now happily knowing his true identity.

Personal Opinion:
I stumbled upon this book when I was doing my volunteering placement. Truth be told is I judged this book from its cover thinking it was a little cat playing with his/her comfort toy. I was emotionally moved from the first time I read this book that I nearly cried. The story line is beautifully written with a poetic element to it and it has a soft melancholic tone in the illustrations. One scene that got me chocked up is when the toy Nothing manages to squeeze through the hole to get to the top of the roof. He stares at the big moon in the night sky, sorrowfully contemplating about his identity. He encounters characters in the story that rekindles his memory of who he might be. This book is great for emotional development and building friendship for early years children. I brought this book for my 5-year-old niece and have read it to her a couple of times. I was surprised at the comprehension my niece understood when I explain to her that ‘Nothing’ has been left behind when the family has moved to a new house. I can recall my niece saying, ‘’Well that is really mean Auntie, why did they leave him?’. This book has managed to captivate my niece’s interest from the beginning till the end, and she was quite happy with the ending when Nothing was restored back to his original self for the new baby to hold. It made me aware that children at a young age are capable of so much complex thoughts than we think they are. One value that truly stands out from this book is appreciation, the reader develops this sense of compassion for little Toby whom he felt unloved because he lost his identity.

Favourite Quote from the Book :
‘’How do you think you would feel if you had been squashed in the dark for years and years. And then you squeezed through a tiny hole to find yourself under the big starry sky? Well, there are no words for that of feeling, so I won’t try to tell you how Nothing felt, except to say that he sat on the roof staring up the moon and stars for a very long time.’

I justt looveee this boook... :)

[Laura Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief Plot Summary:

Expecting a new baby, the family living at Number 47 decide to move house. Packed and ready to go, the family leave home thinking they have left nothing, but the missing cat, behind. However, what they do not realise is that they have left something behind in the attic: something called ‘Nothing’. Something that was a treasured possession of the family a long time ago, but over the years has come to be regarded as essentially nothing. This book tracks the journey of ‘Nothing’ as he makes his way back to the family that left him. By following a mouse out of the attic, and talking to various different animals ‘Nothing’ is able to discover who he really is: a small cuddly toy cat called Toby. He learns that he actually belongs to, and is wanted by the family, even though they left him behind. They just forgot, like he did, who he was and what he meant to them. All ‘Nothing’ had to do was find his way back into the arms of ‘Grandpa’. The story ends with ‘Nothing’ being restored back to who, and what he used to be:
‘With the help of a good wash, some scraps of material, a needle and some thread [...] he became Little Toby once more.’

Why I like, or don’t like the book:

I enjoyed reading this book because it transported me back to my own childhood, when I used to read many Mick Inkpen books. I felt his picture books helped me develop my storytelling skills, as they inspired me to recreate my own versions of his stories. His ‘Kipper’ books in particular were a favourite of mine.

Outline appropriate age range:

This book is most appropriate for children between the ages of 4-7.

Say how it could be used in the classroom:

This book could be used in the classroom in a variety of ways. The story focuses on three particular issues: identity, friendship and family. Therefore it can be used for curriculum support in PSHE:
- To help children develop their social skills, and learn the importance of friendship. This book can be beneficial in helping children understand that assisting others, being polite and accepting people for who they are is crucial. The teacher can use the example of ‘Nothing’ as he comes across different animals in the book. Treated quite poorly by other animals ‘Nothing’ gets upset and feels there is no hope, until he comes across a cat. The cat accepts him for who he is and invites him to go back to his house. Little does the cat know though that the family he is a part of is also ‘Nothing’s’ family.
- This book could also be used in the classroom to help children develop their confidence and sense of identity. Aiding children to accept they are important, even though they may feel like they don’t fit in, or are scared about doing and trying out new things, the story’s message reassures children that they belong and that they should not be frightened about change, or new things. They should accept not only others for who they are, but themselves.

In literacy lessons this picture book could be used to help children develop their storytelling skills. The pictures could be put on to several different pieces of paper, and disorganized so that the children have to rearrange them in to the order in which they appear in the book. Laid out like a comic strip they can then narrate/ verbalise what is going on in each picture and why they think it should appear as it does in their comic strip. This type of activity would contribute to their awareness of what makes sense grammatically.
The children could also retell the story from several different points of view; from the ‘Grandpa’, to the ‘Cat’, to the ‘Fox’, to the ‘mouse’ to the ‘Frog’ to the ‘Family’ as a whole. Therefore, this book is also a good resource in which to inspire creative writing. Whether it be forming simple sentences to put into a shorter version of the story, or fashioning both complex and simple sentences into their own version of story, an activity like so would help children of any infant year group to develop their sentence writing.
Online, there is an audio version of the book, which could be used in both classroom and home learning. Listening to an audio version of the story whilst following the words in the book, could be beneficial in aiding children phonetically, as they could use this version to correct themselves and learn accordingly.

[Zaynab Modaykhan]

I finally found this book in school as it was on my to-read list!
I really liked reading this book its just a sweet story about an old toy that was left behind in the attic as the family move to a new house because of a new baby coming into the family.
The old toy was described as "nothing" by the family and the toy immediately thought its name was nothing.
It sees a mouse who tells it to leave the house before the new family moves in. Nothing escapes through the rooftop and meets a fox. Nothing starts to remember that he used to have ears and whiskers just like the fox. The fox thinks he is not worth eating so strolls away. Nothing then comes across a frog and remembers he used to have stripes just like the frog. Nothing is very sad as he cant remember who he is and he starts crying. He meets a cat named Toby who picks him up with his mouth and takes him to a house where an old man lives. Toby explains that the man is grandpa! Toby puts old Nothing on grandpa's lap and grandpa is shocked when he sees Nothing. Grandpa takes out a photo album and in one of the photos is Nothing! Nothing was a cat! Nothing was Grandpa's teddy when he was a baby! Grandpa fixes up Nothing as good as new and gives him to the new baby! Nothings new name, little Toby is happy to belong to a family again. I think this is a sweet story to read to children at bedtime and it looks at how important children value little toys. As we grow up we lose the importance and value our toys did for us when we were kids, but this story just reminds me of all the special toys I used to have as a child! A great read!

[Ali Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was regularly shared with my children who always showed concern for the bear. I always emphasised the play on words 'Nothing has been left behind...' (Nothing being the name of the bear). The story has a fairly dark plot that presents the case of how it feels to be abandoned and worthless. The bear had forgotten how to function and the author explains that 'even its own name was lost'. Over the story the bear starts to remember who he once was and rebuilds his identity. There are many points to debate in PSHE for both KS1 and KS2. The social education elements of the story encompass friendship, empathy and emotional literacy with children exploring and role playing the part of the bear. The illustrations are charming and simple and should be shared with the class (through a visualiser if possible). The story could be read in stages to investigate the issues more deeply. Suitable for EYFS and KS1,

[Moa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now 19 years old I have very fond memories of my mother reading this book before bedtime.

It was my favorite book growing up, and the only book from those days I still keep in my bookshelf.

I remember feeling real compassion for nothing, and loving the book full heartedly because it felt like it really meant something. That the story dealt with something real.

I remember being upset about the way Nothing was treated, and shocked by the meaning behind calling yourself nothing. And I liked feeling that empathy for nothing.

The book didn't make me feel sad for my old toys in the attic, but it did make me concerned to appreciate the things and people that I love, and not forget about them, and to show them that they weren't nothing.

Kids are capable of so much more complex thoughts, than we think they are.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mick Inkpen writes the Kipper the dog books. His writing and illustrations have such a gentle feel, something I want my children to have more of. The message of the book is about finding ourselves and remembering our value. Big stuff for a picture book! We happened upon this at the library a couple of years ago and the kids loved it, so this last Christmas I just had to find it! I ended up buying it from someone on Amazon.com and it immediately went on my shelf for our special "handle with care" children's books. It makes my 8 year old cry. He says it makes him feel happy and sad at the same time. I don't like the cover shown here, but maybe just because I got to know it with another one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for this kind of children's book, starting with a lot of miserable unlovedness and quest for identity that finds a happy ending. Let's hear it for The Ugly Duckling and its emotional ilk, and Nothing has the added bonus of being this kind of book but with cats.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This toy's existential crisis is giving me an existential crisis.

[Fiona Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. An old toy lost and hidden in the attic gets left behind when his family move house. No one knows who he is and he doesn’t either as he has lost all his colour etc. Eventually he is found and returned to his owner who recognises him even though he looks very different. This book explores the feeling of being lost. Children could create their own idea of what ‘Nothing’ used to look like and teaches children about sentimental value.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, adventure story about Nothing being left behind when a family move out. Lots of animals feature and meet Nothing. This is a heart-warming story that will make you smile. It keeps you guessing the whole way through.

The school I work in, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire are using this book to inspire our writing from years Nursery to Year 6.

We recommend this book for all ages, but particularly for a younger audience (EYFS/KS1)

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because at the beginning the main character, who is a forgotten soft toy, thinks that he is nothing and throughout the story he deals with the idea of no one wanting him anymore. However along the way he meets new friends which make him feel better and show him that he isn't nothing, he just needs a little love in his life to make him happy again.

[Victoria Pring · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book as a child and still a good book even as an adult. This book is perfect, its just the right length for a bedtime story for a child, it has characters that it is easy to do the voices for, it has a few repeating phrases that children love to follow, it has wonderful artwork and a nice story, what more could you want?

[Eva Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful text that follows the re-homing of a forgotten teddy bear. I really enjoyed how the author created a storyline that promotes such empathy for the little bear offering the message that everyone can be loved and appreciated by someone.

[maya ꒰ა♡໒꒱ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don't know if you can tell, but i've been on a spree of adding picture books i used to love in my childhood... and god this one was sad. but also amazing.

the concept of forgotten toys has always hit me in a certain way. at least he gets a happy ending :(

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute - 4*

One of the children in my class chose this book as part of our afternoon reading. This story was really cute. It would be nice to study/teach. My class loved the bringing back together of Nothing.

[Sajitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story connects past and future within few pages. Cleverly woven story. This book should be listed under kids mystery genre :)

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- Sweet, unique, and more than a little melancholy, a forgotten stuffed animal searches for his identity.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts out with a lost stuffed animal who can't remember who he is. Through serendipity he finds out who he is and learns what it feels like to be valued and loved again. It's a good story; Little Miss and the Legomeister enjoyed it.

[Marlene Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! It's a touching tale of a small stuffed animal who encounters quite the identity crisis & believes his name is "Nothing". He goes on a journey and meets others who help him find his real name! Adorable! I loved it & my nieces love it too.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad tale of a decrepit stuffed animal that's been abandoned in an attic, but it has a happy ending. The stuffed animal is returned to its former glory and given to its former owners grandson to be loved and played with.

Cute, cartoony illustrations.

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a large part of my childhood, and I re-read too many times to count. Years later and I still remember it and I still recall it with fondness. It's a lovely little story, perfect for any youngster.

[Jade Dela Torre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing's story is very simple.It's about realizing what we are worth of.

We are never nothing or nobody especially from God's eyes.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best kids book ever.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting picture book and my kids loved it.