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OK Go
In a world of go! go! go! go! go! it's time to stop! and find a new way. Carin Berger's playful new picture book is a jubilant celebration of going green.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2009
32 people want to read
About the author
Carin Berger
19 books38 followersCarin Berger is an award-winning designer and illustrator. She is the creator of Not So True Stories & Unreasonable Rhymes and All Mixed Up, and the illustrator of Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant, by Jack Prelutsky. She won the Society of Illustrators Founder's Award in 2006, and Publishers Weekly called her "one to watch." Carin Berger lives with her family in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 7, 2019
While I loved the message, and the recycled collage/artwork . . .
. . . I wish there'd been more of a story, and less hop on the bus, Gus.
. . . I wish there'd been more of a story, and less hop on the bus, Gus.
March 24, 2019
As a variety of figures drive their diverse vehicles, the narrator of this simple picture-book shouts "Go, Go, Go" in an endless loop. Then a scene of gray smog appears, and the command to "STOP" is given. On a four-page foldout scene, the characters are given new instructions, such as "Catch A Ride, Clyde," and "Ride a Bike, Mike and Ike," and then sent on their way again...
Despite its extremely minimal text, consisting (except for the four-page spread mentioned above) almost entirely of the word 'go,' OK Go is a sophisticated picture-book, one which relies on the artwork to expand upon the story. It is clear, on the two-page smog spread, which pairs a huge "UH OH" with a threatening vista of gray and black clouds, that continual "going" has created a ecological crisis. The instructions given to various characters on the final four-page foldout offer the reader helpful hints as to the actions that can be taken to avoid such a dire gray outcome. In addition to appreciating the creative layout of OK Go, with its adept blend of text and image, I also loved the artwork itself. Berger's collage illustrations are always beautiful, and the ones here are really quite lovely, working found (AKA: recycled!) objects, from bits of fabric to scraps of paper, into each scene. Recommended to fellow Carin Berger fans, and to anyone looking for fun picture-books for younger children that encourage recycling and ecological awareness and responsibility.
Despite its extremely minimal text, consisting (except for the four-page spread mentioned above) almost entirely of the word 'go,' OK Go is a sophisticated picture-book, one which relies on the artwork to expand upon the story. It is clear, on the two-page smog spread, which pairs a huge "UH OH" with a threatening vista of gray and black clouds, that continual "going" has created a ecological crisis. The instructions given to various characters on the final four-page foldout offer the reader helpful hints as to the actions that can be taken to avoid such a dire gray outcome. In addition to appreciating the creative layout of OK Go, with its adept blend of text and image, I also loved the artwork itself. Berger's collage illustrations are always beautiful, and the ones here are really quite lovely, working found (AKA: recycled!) objects, from bits of fabric to scraps of paper, into each scene. Recommended to fellow Carin Berger fans, and to anyone looking for fun picture-books for younger children that encourage recycling and ecological awareness and responsibility.
July 15, 2009
This whimsical tribute to recycling and the environment is perfect for toddlers and young children. The book shouts Go! immediately and readers are off following bright red sports cars as they race across the page, each filled with strange pointy nosed or beaked creatures. Turn the pages and they get more crowded with vehicles, all clever and funny, but all pouring out exhaust. Eventually the page is simply filled with the word “go” repeating over and over again. Then come the dark clouds of smog, filling the page and a declaration to Stop! The little creatures figure out many ways that they can help the environment and still get around.
The words here are so very simple and accessible. Older children will enjoy the fold-out page with its short rhymes about what to do to be more green. Younger children will enjoy the cars screeching across the page. Berger’s illustrations, all done in recycled materials, are very clever. Even the final tips on the last page are done in a friendly tone just right for children. Berger has taken a complex subject and made it clear, clever and concise.
A very successful green picture book, this could easily be incorporated into preschool units on nature and storytimes as well.
The words here are so very simple and accessible. Older children will enjoy the fold-out page with its short rhymes about what to do to be more green. Younger children will enjoy the cars screeching across the page. Berger’s illustrations, all done in recycled materials, are very clever. Even the final tips on the last page are done in a friendly tone just right for children. Berger has taken a complex subject and made it clear, clever and concise.
A very successful green picture book, this could easily be incorporated into preschool units on nature and storytimes as well.
September 1, 2013
This book has very eccentric yet interesting illustrations. The book depicts a large amount of cars driving, each page revealing an increasing amount of cars until the pages become filled with exhaust and one driver shouts for the others to stop, at which point they all realize how badly they are polluting the environment and instead of all driving come up with several eco friendly alternatives. A definite "go green" story for the modern age which could be use for a lesson about protecting the environment.
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April 18, 2016I absolutely like this book. In this world where everyone wants to go fast and faster, we need such a book to read daily and remind us to "stop" and "smell the flowers". Slow-dancing, walking, and riding our bikes, we might make our earth more sustainable.
May 18, 2023
Very repetitive with just a few words. Then has one spread where it is a jumbled mess of eco quotes. It felt like a lazy way to push the eco movement. Which is a bit ironic given that it feels like a waste of trees to have been printed.
July 9, 2018
About recycling. Sophie is reading go (but she didn't read this whole book).
January 18, 2019
I enjoyed the concept of being conscious about our affects on the environment but the illustrations were all over the place and a bit too distracting.
August 30, 2019
This book was almost too repetitive for me, but has a good lesson behind it.
June 7, 2021
This was Library book find for us, and a very artistic reminder to slow down. We liked the artwork, very creative.
June 30, 2009
This whimsical tribute to recycling and the environment is perfect for toddlers and young children. The book shouts Go! immediately and readers are off following bright red sports cars as they race across the page, each filled with strange pointy nosed or beaked creatures. Turn the pages and they get more crowded with vehicles, all clever and funny, but all pouring out exhaust. Eventually the page is simply filled with the word “go” repeating over and over again. Then come the dark clouds of smog, filling the page and a declaration to Stop! The little creatures figure out many ways that they can help the environment and still get around.
The words here are so very simple and accessible. Older children will enjoy the fold-out page with its short rhymes about what to do to be more green. Younger children will enjoy the cars screeching across the page. Berger’s illustrations, all done in recycled materials, are very clever. Even the final tips on the last page are done in a friendly tone just right for children. Berger has taken a complex subject and made it clear, clever and concise.
A very successful green picture book, this could easily be incorporated into preschool units on nature and storytimes as well. Appropriate for ages 2-5.
The words here are so very simple and accessible. Older children will enjoy the fold-out page with its short rhymes about what to do to be more green. Younger children will enjoy the cars screeching across the page. Berger’s illustrations, all done in recycled materials, are very clever. Even the final tips on the last page are done in a friendly tone just right for children. Berger has taken a complex subject and made it clear, clever and concise.
A very successful green picture book, this could easily be incorporated into preschool units on nature and storytimes as well. Appropriate for ages 2-5.
September 16, 2013
"OK GO" is the book I chose as a wordless picture book. It is interesting to look at a wordless picture book because you might be reading it completely different than how someone else is reading it. There are no sentences in this book. Each page is filled with a form of transportation that resembles, and works like, a car. The cars are all made from recycled parts and they all look very distinct. This book was very short and the theme was based off of a hectic world that is always on the move. I think the author wanted to get the message across that the world needs to slow down and stop instead of always going. Stopping will let the world realize what can be recycled and cherished. This was interesting because I'm not sure if a younger child would understand the theme as well, so I think this book would be more suited for a lesson in science for a fifth grade class. This book could be a great choice for Earth Day in an elementary classroom!
August 7, 2013
I didn't care for the illustrations. I thought it was too chaotic with the pictures jammed on a page with the words written in between. If this was being read to a group of children I don't believe the text would have been easy to view. We use our books in the classroom to show them letters and words as a whole. In this book the words are very tiny or pushed too close together. Then I am not sure but there is a whole back page on recycling, I guess as a meaning to keeping the earth green. Is this book about not actually riding in all these things that pollute the air? I don't think they would have got the message and as a teacher I didn't feel it enough to be able to have that conversation with them.
October 31, 2013
My almost-five-year-old son picked this book out from our local library last week.
This book gets points for the concept (reuse, recycle, reduce), and for the frenetic artwork (until that becomes too crazy), and for the fact that my son could read almost all of this book by himself.
It loses points for the pull-out pages with the way-too-crazy and way-too-much illustrations -- empty space can be your friend -- and for the lame rhymes: "Recycle, Michael" and "Plant a tree, Marie". It also loses points because, even though my son read it by himself, he had no idea what it was about.
This book gets points for the concept (reuse, recycle, reduce), and for the frenetic artwork (until that becomes too crazy), and for the fact that my son could read almost all of this book by himself.
It loses points for the pull-out pages with the way-too-crazy and way-too-much illustrations -- empty space can be your friend -- and for the lame rhymes: "Recycle, Michael" and "Plant a tree, Marie". It also loses points because, even though my son read it by himself, he had no idea what it was about.
May 9, 2010
Conceptually, this book is fantastic. In reality, though, it falls flat and lacks coherence. It's colorful and engaging and the last pages save it from being a total disappointment. The ecological theme is good and reading that the illustrations were made from recycled material was interesting. I couldn't read the rhymes in the fold out section without humming a bit of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" to myself (see the trivia questions to see what I mean.) That probably dates me, but it made me smile. Our girls weren't impressed.
May 1, 2013
OK GO hooks the reader with attention-grabbing illustrations made from recycled items as the story unfolds with a twist by using catchy poetic phrases about reducing waste. A brilliant way to playfully model and teach the importance of caring for our ecosystem to the beginning reader.
OK GO is an excellent ecological and art resource for the home and school library. Parents and teachers can talk about ways to recycle, reduce energy, and make up catchy phrases to help remember to stay green or how to make art with reusable items
OK GO is an excellent ecological and art resource for the home and school library. Parents and teachers can talk about ways to recycle, reduce energy, and make up catchy phrases to help remember to stay green or how to make art with reusable items
September 10, 2013
This is an excellent book to encourage dialogic reading with children; there is very limited text and intricate pictures to spur the story along. It spreads the message about being good to the environment by thinking about the many alternative ways we can get from point A to point B. Only once we make better choices about how we travel does the book allow us to continue by saying "Ok, Go!"
The pictures are small and detailed, which could make the book difficult to read to larger groups of children.
The pictures are small and detailed, which could make the book difficult to read to larger groups of children.
May 16, 2009
Reduce, reuse and recycle is apparently the underlying message of this book, which I did not get until the last page spread.
The illustrations are amazing and intricate, made from collages out of recycled and repurposed materials. I think kids will be drawn to the book for that reason, especially school-age boys who like to draw.
I can't see myself reading this aloud to kids, but maybe some people could find a way to make it work. If so, please give me a clue!
The illustrations are amazing and intricate, made from collages out of recycled and repurposed materials. I think kids will be drawn to the book for that reason, especially school-age boys who like to draw.
I can't see myself reading this aloud to kids, but maybe some people could find a way to make it work. If so, please give me a clue!
December 7, 2010
A picture book with few words, Charlotte LOVED this one for the first few days we had it out of the library. Startlingly short, even for a picture book, it's a bright, engaging read (?look?). Charlotte grasped the point pretty quickly, "Lots of cars make the sky full of dirt." Illustrations are paper cut outs from found paper, showing AND telling the message here...reduce, reuse, recycle. A "green" message without being too cutesy.
February 4, 2014
5/5 stars!!!
This is a super cute book about recycling. First you see a number of cars, all sorts of cars, running around over the page. Suddenly, there's an Uh, Oh, and a huge grey cloud covers the page. The final pages are how these car drivers find alternate ways of driving.
It can be used with any age group; babies to preschoolers. It is an short, easy read and the children will really enjoy it. The children can be encouraged to participate.
This is a super cute book about recycling. First you see a number of cars, all sorts of cars, running around over the page. Suddenly, there's an Uh, Oh, and a huge grey cloud covers the page. The final pages are how these car drivers find alternate ways of driving.
It can be used with any age group; babies to preschoolers. It is an short, easy read and the children will really enjoy it. The children can be encouraged to participate.
June 16, 2009
Lots of people don't see how this can be used to read aloud, but I had a lot of fun reading it to people at work. I think kids will enjoy the pictures, and if adults are careful, they can explain how cars are important but that too much use is bad for the environment. It's not an either/or message.
June 17, 2009
There's not a lot to this. It's only ten pages long (plus a fold-out section). The message is to stop driving so much and find other, better ways to get around. The art was pretty cool, but I'm only giving it two stars because I thought it lacked substance. You may enjoy the simplicity of it, though.
September 4, 2012
Picture Book 14
Although this book doesn't contain very much dialogue other than the repetitive "ok go", it is sure to capture children's attention with the bright and vivid illustrations and varying size text. I also liked the fold out pages which were a fun touch to the lively story and pictures.
Although this book doesn't contain very much dialogue other than the repetitive "ok go", it is sure to capture children's attention with the bright and vivid illustrations and varying size text. I also liked the fold out pages which were a fun touch to the lively story and pictures.
March 15, 2016
Ok book - supposedly about conservation, but not sure what age group this is appropriate for. Book starts out with the word "Go" everywhere and is the only word on the first 3-4 pages. Then there is a 4 page spread with little rhyming phrases about conservation. The back of the book explains how the illustrations are from recycled items and gives more tips about recycling everyday.
March 18, 2016
Ok book - supposedly about conservation, but not sure what age group this is appropriate for. Book starts out with the word "Go" everywhere and is the only word on the first 3-4 pages. Then there is a 4 page spread with little rhyming phrases about conservation. The back of the book explains how the illustrations are from recycled items and gives more tips about recycling everyday.
May 16, 2009
Everyone is going, going, going...so busy. But when you stop you can "Think green, Irene, Take a hike, Spike, Save the Planet Janet" etc. Gives simple advice for saving the planet. Less a story and more a book to inspire conversation.
May 24, 2009
I wasn't really into this book at all, it was boring to me, until I read in the back of the book that all the artwork was made with recycled and found materials. Plus there are suggestions on how kids can recycle and reuse things in the back.
September 21, 2011
I have mixed feelings about this book. The concept (going green, recycling, reusing, conserving) is great but the delivery is poor. I appreciate that the illustrations were created by reusing magazines, letters, etc; it is nice when authors/illustrators practice what they preach.
April 24, 2012
I thought this book was great for beginning readers. It has simple words but the still tell a story. The illlustrations are great and it's a fun way to introduce the topic of doing what's best for the environment.
May 13, 2009
Eco books are tricky to carry off for kids, and this book really misses the mark. It tries too hard to be clever, and tries too hard to be simple, and just simply tries too hard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews