'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 11 January 2015

Review: The Book With No Pictures

The Book With No Pictures has everything you'd want from a picture book; it's silly, fun and colourful. Except for the obvious catch: there are no pictures!

So what, you may ask, is a picture book without pictures about? It's about making kids laugh at the power of words, books, and reading aloud.The book is full of silly gibberish that the reader must read aloud because, as everyone knows, you must read everything that is in a book!

Author BJ Novak is a screenwriter, known for his contribution to sitcoms such a The Office (US) as well as a plethora of others. His debut children's book proves he's a comedian for people big and small.

As an avid picture book connoisseur (if I do say so myself which, let's be clear, I do ...), I am really excited about the message in this book: a book can be great fun without pictures. It seems an oxymoron to love picture books as well as a book that seemingly promotes picture-less reading.

However, for transitional readers, I think this is an important takeaway, and one which is artfully (pun intended) performed by Mr Novak.

Even without the takeaway, this book is probably one you'll be playing on repeat for the kids.

Title: The Book With No Pictures
Author: BJ Novak
Publisher: Penguin, $19.99 RRP
Publication Date: September 2014
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780141361789
For ages: 5 – 8
Type: Picture(less) Book