Definitely one that needs to be shared with others. This is such a cute book that forces the reader to say silly things to their audience. You don't really need an illustration, if you're admitting that you're a monkey with a head made out of blueberry pizza but wait, did I just say that? Reading the text, you can't help but get into a rhythm and a character, as you read these humorous and outrageous ideas and then, realize that you have just done these crazy things because you are reading the book. I really liked the font and how the author's used the space in the book. Definitely a book that will leave a smile on your face.

“And now it’s time for me to sing you my favorite song!

A song?
Do I really have to sing a -----"

Oh, yes. If you did not think it was possible for children to enjoy a book with no pictures than this book will prove differently! If I were to sum up this book in one word it would be: HILARIOUS. The Book With No Pictures, by B.J. Novak, is a fun and entertaining book for children of all ages. The reader is at the whim of the author. The author gets the reader to read the absolute silliest things because, as the reader, "you MUST read whatever the book says....no matter what!" This book will force you to admit that you are a robot monkey, your best friend is a hippo named Boo Boo Butt, and the child you are reading to is the best kid ever. It's a great book to model reading with expression, and to show children how wonderful books can be even if they don't have pictures.

There are so many teaching ideas to go along with this book. Students could:

• Write their own "Book With No Pictures"
• Record an audiobook version of the story
• Create artwork to accompany the pages in the book
• View the hilarious video of the author reading the book: http://thebookwithnopictures.com/

Recommended Age Range: 5-8

Lexile Level: 490L

This book is so ridiculous - and that is what makes it great! B.J. Novak dared to be different. He created a funny and interesting book for children, but he wanted to make it with no pictures! This book is designed to make grownups sound incredibly silly. The text itself is bright and exuberant, and will hold the attention of young readers. I would allow my students to write an advertisement for this book and present it to their peers, the school librarian, or the principal. I think it would also be fun to write letters to Mr. Novak and thank him for writing this crazy book!

Read aloud by author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiiS2NDkfI4

Guided Reading - L

Lexile - 380L

DRA - 20

Grade Level: Pre-K-K

Lexile Level: 380L

This book is hilarious! It has no pictures but the reader has to say some very funny words. It also has some encouraging words for the students about how great they are and how they can do anything they set their mind to. I would read this book to my class if we had any free time, just to read something silly to have a few minutes of fun.

The Book With No Pictures is a fun, expressive story (with no pictures, of course). The point of this book is the tone in which it is read. B.J. Novak, the author, reads this story to young children with such enthusiasm and they are completely in awe and entertained.

I would read this story with kindergartners, first or second graders. It would be really awesome to have Novak read it to the whole school, but assuming this would not be easy to do, I would read this story to my class; then, during stations, in the reading center, I would have this book out for students to practice fluency and enthusiasm by reading this story to each other. I would even use this book as a reward for my students to go and read to another class.