It’s a Book

My mother-in-law and I share a love of reading. Differently. She loves her paper books, and I prefer e-books. So, one Christmas, she sent this book, It’s a Book by Lane Smith, ostensibly for my daughter, but really, as a cheeky little nod to me.

It is slightly ironic then I am going to write five hundred words about this book, as it turns out, it did end up being my favourite. Why? Because the book is one of the shortest books you’ll read. And it’s one that you will laugh out loud at. I don’t want to give away the ending of the book, because you really need to discover it for yourself. But I will tell you that it’s brilliant and totally worth getting the book for your favourite kid (or just pretend it’s for a kid).  

There are just three characters in this book. Well, four, if you count the Book, which is a character in itself. There’s Jackass. A Monkey. A Mouse. Monkey and Jackass are friends. Monkey is reading a Book. Jackass is confused. Does the Book need a screen name? A password? Does the Book tweet? Does it make loud honking noises? Perhaps it needs a mouse (Mouse?). And then Jackass starts reading the Book. And reading. And reading. Then Monkey realises that he is not going to get his Book back. Which leaves poor Monkey having to go to the library to get another Book.

And what happens afterwards? Well, you’ll have to read the book.

What do I love about It’s a Book?

The story – It is simple, straightforward and seriously funny.

The characters – Beautifully illustrated, relatable (well, if you’re my mother-in-law and I), and cute.

It’s universal appeal – Both adults and kids will adore it. Adults, for the subtle jabs at our tech-focused culture. Kids, because it is hilarious and well, slightly subversive.  

It’s commentary on our world – Simple, the book might be, but it makes some important points about my generation (digital immigrants), and my children’s generation (digital natives). Just like dear mother-in-law chose to make her point.

Subtle – It makes its point without hitting you over the head with it.

For such a short book, it does have an impact, and I love recommending it to anyone who asks me for my opinion on children’s books. My daughter and son have both developed a love of reading. To me, reading and storytelling is about taking the reader on a journey. As the reader gets more and more engrossed in the story, the story changes as per the imagination of the reader. It is what I love about books. I have read a huge number of books in my life (last year, I set a personal record of reading 565 books) and I love that I have passed this passion for reading to my kids. Someone once said that you’re never lonely with a book in your hands.

Well, if Jackass can learn that lesson, so can we all.