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Item Barcode | Collection | Call Number | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33607003698027 | Picture Books | NOVAK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
| 33607003698266 | Picture Books | NOVAK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
| 33607003376020 | Picture Books | NOVAK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian--a perfect gift for any special occasion!
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here's how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .
BLORK. Or BLUURF.
Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.
Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)
Author Notes
Benjamin Joseph Manaly, also known as B. J. Novak, was born in Newton, Massachusetts on July 31, 1979. He graduated from Harvard University with degrees in English and Spanish literature in 2001. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and began working in clubs as a comedian.
Executive producer Greg Daniels heard Novak's comedy club act and signed him as the character Ryan Howard in the U.S version of the British television show The Office. He stayed with the show for eight seasons and became a co-executive producer in the seventh season. He also appeared in the movies Inglourious Basterds and Saving Mr. Banks.
He is the author of One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories and The Book with No Pictures.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-The actor (and writer, producer, and director) has penned his first picture book, but can it be called a picture book when there are no pictures? Entering the field of unique interactive books begging to be opened, including Herve Tullet's Press Here (Chronicle, 2011) and Adam Lehrhaupt's Warning: Do Not Open This Book! (S. & S., 2013), this title will instantly intrigue children. Upon opening the book, readers are drawn in ("Here is how books work: everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. No matter what."). What follows is an uproariously raucous time, with readers being forced to utter nonsense words ("blork," "bluurf") and phrases that will have young listeners in stitches ("And my head is made of blueberry pizza."). Admittedly, there are no illustrations, but Novak has employed the use of various sizes of black typeface with expansive white space and color to highlight some of the text. This book is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and it's perfect for one-on-one sharing with a parent or caregiver. Expect requests for repeated readings.- Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Actor Novak's expert sense of comic timing is on full display in his first picture book, which, true to its title, only contains words on a white background. Different font types, sizes, and colors signal important changes in tone and voice to whomever is reading the story aloud (and the book's jokes rely on a readaloud setting). "It might seem like no fun to have someone read you a book with no pictures," Novak writes early in the book, his words set in a black serif font that all but demands a serious, James Earl Jones-style voice-over. Then the kicker: "Here is how books work. Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. No matter what." Cue sound effects ("BLUURF") and nonsense statements ("I am a monkey who taught myself to read") designed to make a laughingstock of the adult reader while keeping children howling, even as the reader's "voice" lodges its protests ("Wait a second-is this whole book a trick?"). A strong first showing for Novak that's sure to deliver big laughs. Ages 4-8. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.