What do you think?
Rate this book
Read It, Don't Eat It!
You are holding a book. What should you do with it? Open it, and you will find out.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
August 1, 2010
While the text in the book covers a worthy subject mater- how to use and take care of library books- the rhymes can't cover up the didactic message. The book could have been salvaged by excellent illustrations- perhaps telling a story in the background to add some depth to what is in essence a list of rules or a cutsie-fied instruction manual. Unfortunately, the pictures are overwhelmingly mediocre- brightly coloured animals on a white background. The book design is decent, trying to jazz it up with coloured pages with white text for the "rules" but this book still remains entirely one to forget about unless you're particularly looking for something instructive on book etiquette.
June 19, 2009
One or more of these things will happen to this book. It will:
1)Be covered with crayon scribbles
2)Acquire several large page tears (probably inexpertly mended with the wrong kind of tape)
3)Have its pages stuck together with something I don't want to identify.
4)Be slid onto a shelf in the wrong place--or left on the floor.And when it's opened, various torn pieces will come fluttering out.
Or it won't come back at all.
Well meaning, even funny. But it won't do a damn to prevent the defacement and defilement of library books.
1)Be covered with crayon scribbles
2)Acquire several large page tears (probably inexpertly mended with the wrong kind of tape)
3)Have its pages stuck together with something I don't want to identify.
4)Be slid onto a shelf in the wrong place--or left on the floor.And when it's opened, various torn pieces will come fluttering out.
Or it won't come back at all.
Well meaning, even funny. But it won't do a damn to prevent the defacement and defilement of library books.
February 4, 2009
Books are delicate objects. Delicate objects that we routinely hand over to those most violent and expressive of human beings, children. It’s fine when you give them a board book. Little grimy hands can only do so much damage to that particular form of literature. However, at some point, when their brains are capable of following directions (or at least understanding them enough to ignore them) you need to teach them the basics. What to do with a book vs. what not to do. As a librarian I have a shtick that I do with visiting preschool to 3rd grade classes regarding books and their proper care. I ask if someone should use a book as an umbrella in the rain. The kids say no. I ask if someone should read a book in the bath. The kids say no (less certainly). It would be great if I had a book to tell them these rules. Heck, a book like that could help out parents and grandparents as well, I bet. But where in the world is there in the world a book so extraordinaire? Ian Schoenherr has the answer. Read It, Don’t Eat It! uses magnificently simple rhyming text to tell kids how to care for their books. With Schoenherr’s deft and miniscule brushwork, this book has “instant hit” written all about its furry frame. Necessary instruction of an everyday object, let’s call it.
The title appears on the very first opening spread. “Read it, don’t eat it.” A small bear eyes the reader warily when that is said, his mouth mid-chew. Turn the page and the next one reads, “No dog-ears, please,” as a startled mutt looks shocked at this news (and a dog-eared book rests beneath his guilty paw). With infinite patience and gentle prodding the book tells an array of animals how to best care for the books in their possession, often in rhyme. “Don’t overdue it, just renew it. (Really, now, there’s nothing to it.)”. By the end at least one character has come around to the idea, and as the book encourages everyone to return and share the message is clear. “Share with a friend, a sister, a brother / Now go out and get another.”
I’ve always wanted to have an excuse to review a Schoenherr book because I find them visually mesmerizing. In the past I’ve read his books Cat and Mouse and Pip and Squeak and I’ve found myself lost in their intricate brushwork. Read It, Don’t Eat It! is a little sillier than those other books, but the thinnest of thin lines are still present and painted. Interestingly, Schoenherr has chosen to set all these characters against a pure white background. The danger of doing this is always that it might make your picture book look like a GAP ad or something (or am I dating myself?). In this case, there is no need to worry. These colorful animals and situations fairly pop. The opposite pages that contain the text (interestingly the text and pictures never mingle) provide a colorful counterpart to the white background of the pictures. That’s probably why they work as well as they do. Better still, sometimes you can find something in the pictures that’s the same shade and hue of the opposite page. Sometimes it’s the color of the book in the characters’ hands/paws. Sometimes it’s something as small as a hair ribbon. This is not always the case, but it’s frequent enough to keep things interesting.
Schoenherr isn’t what you might call an artist for older children necessarily, but I feel as if this book dips just a little younger than his usual fare. Animals in clothing tend to. Unlike like someone like Richard Scarry, however, you get the distinct impression that this artist has thought through the ramification of animals in overalls. Tails must be accommodated for. Chipmunks and rabbits are fond of sweaters. Things like that. As for the clothes themselves, there’s a lot of repeating patterns here. Many animals are in overalls, though they are not all of the same color. Polka dots are a popular choice. In fact, if you look at the elephant on the front cover of this book and then look at the lemur on the back cover, you will see that they are wearing almost the same outfit (the blue dots vary a tad).
He does great things with facial expressions too. The raccoon high-tailing it with a potentially stolen book looks at the viewer in wide-eyed fright. Later on a baboon, in contrast, wears a look of plain indifference when his ice cream-related destruction is discovered. And my favorite image in the whole book has got to be the fox. With the instructions, “Don’t censor, delete, or deface,” on the opposite page, there she sits, eyes half-closed. In her hand is a magic marker, which she is using to unapologetically black out offending words and passages. I know that fox. And of all the characters in this book, she is definitely the one to watch out for. Don’t believe me? Look at her gnawing away at a red novel on the front bookflap, not a drop of guilt flowing in her sneaky little veins. If there is any hero to counter the fox in this tale, it’s the small bear in the red overalls and yellow polka dotted shirt. At first he’s sort of a cartoonish character, making just as many mistakes as the other folks. Then, as the story continues, he grows and learns and eventually helps the other animals learn what to do and what not to do. A kind of inner peace is evident on his face.
I have many reasons for enjoying this book but they probably all boil down to the fact that I just happen to like how Schoenherr draws cats. Cat feet in particular. In reviews of other picture books I’ve complimented artists that take the time to draw mouse feet (which are endearingly strange) and the same goes for cats. Any creature that spends most of its life walking on just its toes is going to look fairly funny when seated flat on its bum, reading a book. One of the last images in this book is of a cat showing a book to a sister and a brother. And the delightfully silly image of a black and white kitty wearing a ridiculous pink dress suggests that we are dealing with an artist who knows his felines.
Clearly children’s librarians will gravitate towards Schoenherr’s latest, but does it have applications outside the library? Yup. Parents and grandparents and anyone dealing with a child will find this an excellent tutorial in basic book care for tots. In my own library spiel I warn against little brothers and sisters, dogs, and sticky foods. Schoenherr adds some dangers of his own, and the result is a book that makes being told what to do a fun experience. Fun fun fun. I don’t know why anyone would want to miss out on it.
Ages 3-7.
The title appears on the very first opening spread. “Read it, don’t eat it.” A small bear eyes the reader warily when that is said, his mouth mid-chew. Turn the page and the next one reads, “No dog-ears, please,” as a startled mutt looks shocked at this news (and a dog-eared book rests beneath his guilty paw). With infinite patience and gentle prodding the book tells an array of animals how to best care for the books in their possession, often in rhyme. “Don’t overdue it, just renew it. (Really, now, there’s nothing to it.)”. By the end at least one character has come around to the idea, and as the book encourages everyone to return and share the message is clear. “Share with a friend, a sister, a brother / Now go out and get another.”
I’ve always wanted to have an excuse to review a Schoenherr book because I find them visually mesmerizing. In the past I’ve read his books Cat and Mouse and Pip and Squeak and I’ve found myself lost in their intricate brushwork. Read It, Don’t Eat It! is a little sillier than those other books, but the thinnest of thin lines are still present and painted. Interestingly, Schoenherr has chosen to set all these characters against a pure white background. The danger of doing this is always that it might make your picture book look like a GAP ad or something (or am I dating myself?). In this case, there is no need to worry. These colorful animals and situations fairly pop. The opposite pages that contain the text (interestingly the text and pictures never mingle) provide a colorful counterpart to the white background of the pictures. That’s probably why they work as well as they do. Better still, sometimes you can find something in the pictures that’s the same shade and hue of the opposite page. Sometimes it’s the color of the book in the characters’ hands/paws. Sometimes it’s something as small as a hair ribbon. This is not always the case, but it’s frequent enough to keep things interesting.
Schoenherr isn’t what you might call an artist for older children necessarily, but I feel as if this book dips just a little younger than his usual fare. Animals in clothing tend to. Unlike like someone like Richard Scarry, however, you get the distinct impression that this artist has thought through the ramification of animals in overalls. Tails must be accommodated for. Chipmunks and rabbits are fond of sweaters. Things like that. As for the clothes themselves, there’s a lot of repeating patterns here. Many animals are in overalls, though they are not all of the same color. Polka dots are a popular choice. In fact, if you look at the elephant on the front cover of this book and then look at the lemur on the back cover, you will see that they are wearing almost the same outfit (the blue dots vary a tad).
He does great things with facial expressions too. The raccoon high-tailing it with a potentially stolen book looks at the viewer in wide-eyed fright. Later on a baboon, in contrast, wears a look of plain indifference when his ice cream-related destruction is discovered. And my favorite image in the whole book has got to be the fox. With the instructions, “Don’t censor, delete, or deface,” on the opposite page, there she sits, eyes half-closed. In her hand is a magic marker, which she is using to unapologetically black out offending words and passages. I know that fox. And of all the characters in this book, she is definitely the one to watch out for. Don’t believe me? Look at her gnawing away at a red novel on the front bookflap, not a drop of guilt flowing in her sneaky little veins. If there is any hero to counter the fox in this tale, it’s the small bear in the red overalls and yellow polka dotted shirt. At first he’s sort of a cartoonish character, making just as many mistakes as the other folks. Then, as the story continues, he grows and learns and eventually helps the other animals learn what to do and what not to do. A kind of inner peace is evident on his face.
I have many reasons for enjoying this book but they probably all boil down to the fact that I just happen to like how Schoenherr draws cats. Cat feet in particular. In reviews of other picture books I’ve complimented artists that take the time to draw mouse feet (which are endearingly strange) and the same goes for cats. Any creature that spends most of its life walking on just its toes is going to look fairly funny when seated flat on its bum, reading a book. One of the last images in this book is of a cat showing a book to a sister and a brother. And the delightfully silly image of a black and white kitty wearing a ridiculous pink dress suggests that we are dealing with an artist who knows his felines.
Clearly children’s librarians will gravitate towards Schoenherr’s latest, but does it have applications outside the library? Yup. Parents and grandparents and anyone dealing with a child will find this an excellent tutorial in basic book care for tots. In my own library spiel I warn against little brothers and sisters, dogs, and sticky foods. Schoenherr adds some dangers of his own, and the result is a book that makes being told what to do a fun experience. Fun fun fun. I don’t know why anyone would want to miss out on it.
Ages 3-7.
August 31, 2023
Great literature? Nah. Silly? Yeah. Fun to remind first graders about book care on the first day of school while awaiting their turn for check out? Absolutely!!!
Especially the sneezing page, this group loved that and I loved getting to be fully silly with them!
Especially the sneezing page, this group loved that and I loved getting to be fully silly with them!
August 26, 2019
A must must read book for every young reader.
My 10YO read this book to my 4YO, explaining each page. Though my kids read this book together, I'm amused when the older one gave discipline stories and tips to the younger one with examples while going through each page. Amazing!!
(The younger one's questions and queries were promptly answered for each page, lovely moment. And they read it again, without stopping, this time the older got to ask questions to test the younger. )
My 10YO read this book to my 4YO, explaining each page. Though my kids read this book together, I'm amused when the older one gave discipline stories and tips to the younger one with examples while going through each page. Amazing!!
(The younger one's questions and queries were promptly answered for each page, lovely moment. And they read it again, without stopping, this time the older got to ask questions to test the younger. )
August 5, 2017
This picture book is a wonderful one aimed at young readers learning about libraries. That being said, I think it would be really fun to read this very simple book to my 4th graders to inspire them to write their own book about rules for our classroom library. It seems that no matter how much I ask them to take care of the well...hundreds of books and thousands of dollars that I have invested in our classroom library, care is never at the top of their minds. So I'm going to try a new approach. They will need to write a book like this, as a class, to set the expectation for the care and use of our library. It could be fun and just might give them a little more ownership and responsibility for the books.
September 24, 2018
The text and pictures are super simplistic and I thought it would be good for younger kids, but I don’t think they are going to get the messages about book care because they are over their head. How many kindergarten students will need to renew a book, do they understand that if they don’t checkout the book it is stealing, younger students won’t know what censor/delete/deface means, and the phrase about just erase??? No thank you! I just don’t get what age this book is for.
September 18, 2013
No real story, but a good lesson for how to treat books. At times it seems to address more how to behave in a library or with a library book, and some may be for how to behave with your own books. Overall, a cute lesson for how we treat books.
February 21, 2018
The book itself isn't anything special, but the message is a valuable one. I wish I could require all new users to read this book and sign off that they understand! But...I'm guessing it wouldn't matter. How do I know? Because my copy came back with a huge tear...mended (BADLY) with tape. *sigh*
March 18, 2019
This adorably illustrated book is perfect for reading with kittens who just can't resist chomping on books. The title says it all.
August 24, 2024
Cute bit a little out of date for 2024
August 26, 2019
The illustrations are adorable, but there's really no story line. Essentially this is a list of rules on how to treat library books. It's very simple and straight forward so I'll probably use it with my toddlers, but I'll paper clip a few pages together or find a word or two to substitute for the phrases "Don't censor, delete, or deface" and "Don't overdue it, just renew it. Really now, there's nothing to it.)" because, really, what child young enough to read a book like this has any idea what those words/phrases mean?
Read
October 2, 2021While instructive about what to do (and not do) with a library book, I didn't find this text or illustrations particularly engaging. It's more of an illustrated list of rhyming rules. Suggests "at least" erasing if you end up "leaving a trace." Seems geared toward PS-K though at one point states "don't censor, delete, or deface," which is challenging vocabulary for that age. What look like colored-pencil illustrations of various animals doing the "bad" things are not engaging and feel a little odd.
I'd love to see this concept done better.
I'd love to see this concept done better.
February 10, 2025
I liked this book because it helps tell children how to treat books. Throughout the book it gave examples of different ways to be gentle and kind to the books. It also tells us what NOT to do with the books.
I would use this book in my classroom to help children know how to treat books. This may benefit younger children because they usually have their own books at home. In a school setting or a library they have to learn how to treat objects that are not theirs.
I would use this book in my classroom to help children know how to treat books. This may benefit younger children because they usually have their own books at home. In a school setting or a library they have to learn how to treat objects that are not theirs.
September 8, 2019
I have not done the research yet, but I speculate the author has spent some time as a librarian. This book is wonderful, and my daughter--who picked it up at our library and has hardly stopped picking it up since--has practically memorized it. Hopefully she memorized the lessons about how to treat books as well.
February 4, 2017
Librarians rejoice! A book that teaches kids how to take care of books. Satisfactory, wording that kids understand and can learn. Illustrations contribute directly to the words which give better understanding of how to take care of a book.
October 28, 2017
I found this book in my Little Free Library and I picked it up for my mother to use in her Pre-K classroom she said it was the perfect aide to teach children on how to take care of books in the classroom library.
March 9, 2018
A catchy rhyme laying out the rules of caring for books. A wonderful way to introduce little kids to the concept of how we treat our library books. Great for kindergarten visits or book-themed storytimes.
July 9, 2018
A great little storybook guide to enjoying library books. Cute as a button. Glad the "No"s and "Don't"s are balanced out with tips about sharing and enjoying at the end.
I wish that my library had more than one copy because the one I read is, ironically, not in great shape.
I wish that my library had more than one copy because the one I read is, ironically, not in great shape.
September 1, 2022
The rhyme scheme is often forced, the illustrations don't do enough to elevate the didactic instructions, and the book includes words such as "deface" and "censor" that are unexplained and clearly above the vocabulary level of the supposed audience.
January 24, 2024
A very cute read ideal for small children or elementary aged. A good conversation starter about book care. The librarian uses it to introduce her conversation about checking out and taking care of books.
August 20, 2025
Fun book to do with kinders. I match it with a book care activity where they need to sort items by things that go with books (carrying nicely, sitting in a chair, washing hands before reading) and things that do not (water bottles, crayons, food, etc.)
September 25, 2017
Simple yet fun. Great way to talk about taking good care of books. Read it with my first grade class
October 5, 2017
How do you treat library books? Read it, Don't Eat It! shares what kids should know about how to treat a book. This is a great book to share with your toddlers and lower elementary kids.
February 12, 2018
Maybe a librarian wrote this or a mother of a toddler who need to learn to use books correctly. Twaddley
May 16, 2018
Simple text and illustrations share book care with young readers. The author shares how to not treat books when you read.
April 30, 2018
This is a good book to read to your kids on the proper ways of how to handle a book.
Six + 1Traits: presentation, voice
DRA Level: 16
Lexile: 270L
Six + 1Traits: presentation, voice
DRA Level: 16
Lexile: 270L
July 3, 2018
Wish this was a poster series I could hang in my library. Favorite illustration is the "no dog ears" dog.
September 1, 2018
Simple sentences and vibrant pictures give the reader practical advice on how to treat a book. Spoiler alert, you shouldn’t eat it!
November 1, 2018
This would be a great book to read to the kids in schools, libraries and school libraries!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews