It's a Book by Lane Smith

Smith, L. (2010). It’s a Book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

While Monkey is enjoying his book, Jackass just can not seem to understand his fascination with it.  Like many of the children of today, he sees no fun in something that doesn't text, tweet or even make a sound.  After initially trying to treat the book like an electronic device, he soon finds himself sucked into the story and refuses to give it back.  He assures Monkey he will "charge it up when he is done" indicating that he never quite grasps the concept that "it's a book."

Visual Element: Style

Smith’s use of simple shapes to illustrate the animals and scene give this book a unique feel.  The slightest shift in the placement of the book, the jackass’ ears and the monkey’s face conveys the action and emotions expressed in this book.

Evaluation Criteria: Characters

Children will find the characters in this story completely relatable.  There’s Monkey, depicting the child who has his nose stuck in a book, and Jackass who is the child glued to a technological device.  While Jackass relentlessly questions Monkey about what his book can and can’t do, Monkey patiently explains time and time again with the repetitive phrase, “It’s a book.”  We realize there’s hope for our technology obsessed children after all when Jackass gets a hold of the book and refuses to give it back.

Book Trailer for It's a Book