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Sofa Boy: 10th Anniversary Edition
A young boy discovers that lounging on his favorite sofa playing videogames around the clock is not all it's cracked up to be. His lack of attention to life's basics such as bathing, good food, fresh air, sunlight, and old fashioned exercise wreaks havoc on his young body, and before long our little lad finds himself a prisoner of his own designing, as well as the fascination of many an onlooker as he becomes literally joined at the hip with his increasingly disgusting environment. Sofa Boy is a humorous and beautifully illustrated lesson-learned about moderation - a lesson that can clearly speak to all ages, and goes down easily with a warm and hearty chuckle.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
40 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2008
25 people want to read
About the author
Scott Langteau
6 books32 followersGrowing up in the small town of Seymour Wisconsin, playtime came ready-made with Scott's 11 brothers and sisters. No lie! Having fun then meant grabbing a sibling, heading outside and imagining a world around you. That imagination brought Scott Theater degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and Villanova University before bringing him to L.A. where he’s worked as a producer, writer, and actor for over 20 years. Best known for his work on the highly acclaimed “Medal of Honor” & “Call of Duty” video game franchises, Scott has done work for companies including Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, EA Games, and the Jim Henson Company.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2017
A cute rhyming book about the dangers of too much TV and video games and not enough exercise.
November 17, 2017
I found this one at the LA Festival of Books. My mom and I were walking down a line of booths and both of us just stopped to stare at Scott Langteau’s booth, because the artwork is so beautiful and eye-catching. Honestly, I have never seen a picture book as well designed as this one.
There are three things I look for in picture books: quality of illustration, story, and musicality of the words. Sofa Boy gets top marks in all three categories.
Like I said, the illustrations made my mom and me stop dead in our tracks. My niece loves them, too. Whereas a lot of illustrations tend towards simple, static pictures, these pictures are so full of life. They’re interesting to look at, and it takes awhile to turn the pages, because there is so much to see in each page.
I was at first worried that this was more of a boy-book and my niece wouldn’t relate to it, but it wasn’t an issue. The story is one that all kids can relate to. We are so technology-obsessed that it’s easy for kids to sit on the couch all day playing video games, or watching movies. This tells a story of a boy who sits on the couch all day and gets stuck to it, earning him a place in a museum. It’s silly enough not to be scary, but realistic enough that children learn that sitting on the couch all day isn’t a good thing. I also appreciated the humor that went along with it. While teaching a lesson, this story still has its funny moments.
There is a distinct rhythm to the words, which I always love in children’s books. I feel like children’s stories should be more like poetry than anything, because children are so enchanted by rhythms and rhymes. It also helps them to remember the words later. My niece loves listening to this book multiple times (and I love reading it multiple times!). Within a few readings, she had many of the lines memorized — always a sign of a good book.
This is a book both you and your child can enjoy. You will not be disappointed by Sofa Boy.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
There are three things I look for in picture books: quality of illustration, story, and musicality of the words. Sofa Boy gets top marks in all three categories.
Like I said, the illustrations made my mom and me stop dead in our tracks. My niece loves them, too. Whereas a lot of illustrations tend towards simple, static pictures, these pictures are so full of life. They’re interesting to look at, and it takes awhile to turn the pages, because there is so much to see in each page.
I was at first worried that this was more of a boy-book and my niece wouldn’t relate to it, but it wasn’t an issue. The story is one that all kids can relate to. We are so technology-obsessed that it’s easy for kids to sit on the couch all day playing video games, or watching movies. This tells a story of a boy who sits on the couch all day and gets stuck to it, earning him a place in a museum. It’s silly enough not to be scary, but realistic enough that children learn that sitting on the couch all day isn’t a good thing. I also appreciated the humor that went along with it. While teaching a lesson, this story still has its funny moments.
There is a distinct rhythm to the words, which I always love in children’s books. I feel like children’s stories should be more like poetry than anything, because children are so enchanted by rhythms and rhymes. It also helps them to remember the words later. My niece loves listening to this book multiple times (and I love reading it multiple times!). Within a few readings, she had many of the lines memorized — always a sign of a good book.
This is a book both you and your child can enjoy. You will not be disappointed by Sofa Boy.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
September 27, 2013
Scott Langteau’s book, Sofa Boy, is a creative story that helps to teach kids about the negative consequences associated with inactivity and the lack of exercise.
The author begins the story by introducing the young boy and his family and illustrating his obsession for video games.
The author writes, “You see, he’d sit and sit and sit on his coach the whole day through. He’d sit intensely playing games ‘til his trigger thumb turned blue!”
As the boy gets deeper into his video games he is also making it more and more difficult to change his unproductive ways.
As each page concludes you have a deeper understanding of the boys obsession and his eventual fate.
My favorite part is when Langteau writes, “Though at last he’d learned his lesson, wished to rise and have some fun, his binding union with the sofa was too far gone to be undone!”
‘Sofa Boy' reminds me of the saying, “If you keep making that face, your face will stay that way.”
The author paints a dreary and unfortunate scenario for the ‘Sofa Boy’ but the message is clear and will help kids to learn that their are better options then leading a stagnant lifestyle and not developing a social life.
'Sofa Boy' is a well written and beautifully illustrated book and I highly recommend it to reinforce the importance of listening to your parents and using moderation with video games.
The author begins the story by introducing the young boy and his family and illustrating his obsession for video games.
The author writes, “You see, he’d sit and sit and sit on his coach the whole day through. He’d sit intensely playing games ‘til his trigger thumb turned blue!”
As the boy gets deeper into his video games he is also making it more and more difficult to change his unproductive ways.
As each page concludes you have a deeper understanding of the boys obsession and his eventual fate.
My favorite part is when Langteau writes, “Though at last he’d learned his lesson, wished to rise and have some fun, his binding union with the sofa was too far gone to be undone!”
‘Sofa Boy' reminds me of the saying, “If you keep making that face, your face will stay that way.”
The author paints a dreary and unfortunate scenario for the ‘Sofa Boy’ but the message is clear and will help kids to learn that their are better options then leading a stagnant lifestyle and not developing a social life.
'Sofa Boy' is a well written and beautifully illustrated book and I highly recommend it to reinforce the importance of listening to your parents and using moderation with video games.
February 18, 2009
Yippee! Scott came to our library and read his book to us and it was FABULOUS! This is a cautionary tale that lets kids and adults know--play your video games in moderation! Get outside and enjoy life!
March 15, 2009
Love the message, the hilarious retro-household illustrations, and the rhyme! Great work from a hometown author! Way to go, Scott!
February 5, 2012
An aweesome book for discussing the importance of balance in life. Computers and technology can be fun but we need to excercise and have fun with our friends as well.
December 29, 2020
Review coming soon.
May 7, 2014
We picked this book up from B&N.
K loves this book! I guess because he likes to lay around and watch TV and he is scared that the couch will turn him into a blob. I myself LOVE this book as well and it has become one of our favorite books to read. We get a good laugh at knowing what is going to happen to Sofa Boy because he doesn't like to go outside.
K has now decided that he will not turn into Sofa Boy he is going to be outside more (which I think is awesome). If you are looking for a great and humorous read then you have to pick up Sofa Boy and find out what happens when he stays on the couch all the time.
K loves this book! I guess because he likes to lay around and watch TV and he is scared that the couch will turn him into a blob. I myself LOVE this book as well and it has become one of our favorite books to read. We get a good laugh at knowing what is going to happen to Sofa Boy because he doesn't like to go outside.
K has now decided that he will not turn into Sofa Boy he is going to be outside more (which I think is awesome). If you are looking for a great and humorous read then you have to pick up Sofa Boy and find out what happens when he stays on the couch all the time.
June 20, 2013
This book is fun! Great illustrations chronicle the tale of woe for one young video game addict in a humorous way that may just shock kids straight! In the footsteps of the old brothers Grimm fairy tales - this one's darker side delivers a nice alternative to those fluffy bunny kids books out there - young boys will especially love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2013
I thought this book was very disturbing and I was not alone in my opinion!
July 22, 2016
Weird weird book but would e great for teaching kids about the importance of leading active lives.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews