I have a relatively small collection of children’s books that I add to whenever I come across a book whose art and design appeal to me. When I came across Oliver Jeffers‘ latest release, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, I just knew I had to bring it home with me. Dear readers, this book is a true gem.
For those who devour the written word, Henry is indeed a kindred spirit. I have no doubt that were you to read this book you would clearly identify with his passion and his dilemma.
Oliver Jeffers and Philomel Books (a division of Penguin Young Readers Group) have put together a book in which every page is a delight. Oliver Jeffers has taken “old books that libraries were getting rid of, the artist found, or people were throwing out” and has used them along with his deceptively simple illustrations to create a childrens’ book that contains both layers of images and layers of meaning.
I have read the book three times now and each time I see new things. Jeffers’ use of old books, particularly their covers, gives each painting such interesting texture. His use of warm, rich colors are very representative of the warmth and comfort we readers receive from our books.
Oliver Jeffers’ talents do not stop at the easel. The story he has crafted is enchanting, but that enchantment belies a depth of meaning. I have gotten different messages out of the story each time I have read it. My experience with this book reminds me of the wonderful experiences I have had with Shaun Tan’s childrens tales. This is a book that should be in the collection of book lovers everywhere.
I was so captivated by this book and could not help but think of the book blogging community as I read it. And so I bought two of them! I found this book to be the perfect seque into the end of the year review posts. I also find that my excitement with it is enhanced by the thrill I get this time of year, thinking of what the coming year holds in book form.
If you are interested in having your name entered into a drawing for a new copy of this book, please include the phrase “feed me!” along with any other comments you may have. I’ll draw a winner at the stroke of midnight as 2008 is ushered in.
Just promise me you will read it and not eat it. Henry already had difficulty resisting the urge:
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Despite the fact that the date of December 25th has passed, the spirit of giving is alive and well. I saw a shorter version of this commercial before Enchanted yesterday and I had to share the longer version with you. I give you a commercial that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. This is best viewed with your sound ‘on’ as the music adds to the experience. Believe.
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And while I am in the giving mood, allow me to end this post by giving props to Jeff for winning the inaugural season of the Hands of Glory Fantasy Football League. His Browncoats finished the season in 4th place and he went through the playoffs, beating 5th place Turf Buffet in a close-fought, high-scoring match to advance to the semi-finals. He then put a major beat down on first place Italian Stallions giving him the opportunity to enter the League Championship game against yours truly, where he laid down 120 points to my 106.
Congratulations Jeff! I spent most of the season in second place, entered the playoffs in second place, and ended up with a second place finish. There is something to be said for consistency, I’ll give you that!
Congrats go out to Jimmy’s Grind House for taking third place and to Robinson’s Ruckus for winning the Tidy Bowl and winning first pick in next year’s draft.
All told it was a really fun season and I certainly have no complaints. Up until this year I had never won a playoff game. To win one and then place second in the finals is pretty darn cool. Plus I made a bit of coin! Woo-hoo!!!
And now all I have to do is sit back and watch the real football playoffs with no fantasy concerns. Playoff football…I love it!
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Don’t forget to say “feed me!” if you are interested in a chance to win a copy of The Incredible Book Eating Boy!
Blogs that are as creative as yours feed me. This whole sequence was so much fun. That book looks delightful and the videos are wonderful, especially “The Aviator”, which I had seen before. Did you do that at some time? Message to Jeff: Congratulations!
Well, I can’t believe that was a J.C. Penney commercial! I was expecting something quite different. What a wonderful idea, though! I have never seen it before, mostly because we don’t have the store here! That was really great, something I rarely say about commercials!
And, what an awesome book. I think it might have just moved up the ranks to the book I buy people who are expecting babies… What age range is it supposed to be for? It gives a whole new meaning to when babies say ‘feed me’! At least they want food, and not a book. hehe.
Congrats to Jeff on winning the fantasy football!
Me again. Is this something that you think should only really be bought in hardcover? With the toothmarks, I am not sure if it would have the same affect in paperback? Thoughts?
Thanks Pat!
The Incredible Book Eating Boy sounds like a wonderful book! I’m sure my kiddo’s and I would both enjoy it. We’ll have to check it out on our next trip to the bookstore.
Playing you in our Fantasy Football league’s Super Bowl was a lot of fun. I didn’t think I would make it past the first round in the playoff’s and to make it all the way to the SB was a huge surprise. Here’s hoping we both make a return trip to the big game next year. I think I need to track down that shirt before next year’s draft. 🙂
Thanks Kailana! I want everyone to know Carl made a bunch of great moves this season and put together a great team. I was truly very lucky to sneak buy him in the last game. Being the gracious commisioner of the league he even picked up A War of Gifts by Orson Scott Card for me as a ” special ” prize for winning. He is truely too generous. Thanks again for the book. It’s a great way to start off the Sci Fi Experience!
As soon as I opened this post and saw the cover for The Incredible Book Eating Boy, I said “I have to have that!” Even before reading your review! And now after reading your review I can’t wait to get a copy. What a cool book. I definitely agree with you that a book like that is meant to be on every book lovers’ shelf, young or old, you can feed me books like that all you want 😉
That commercial was great! Good for JC Penneys for putting something together like that! I love to see big corporations put time into something as heartwarming as that.
And a big congrats to Jeff!! He must have been on top of the world! And the same to you Carl! You can blame your second place finish on me pushing Brees on you :p He’s one hell of a quarterback, but when you have a team that plays as crappy as we do sometimes, well…there’s only so much a QB can do. But damn! Second place is pretty impressive!
Chris: Neither of my QB’s did great for me on Championship day, but Brees was instrumental in my first ever playoff win that got me to the Championship game, so I’m not disappointed with the choice. My fall to Jeff came down to the fact that I could have played one different receiver and won the game, but in the end I picked the ones who honestly looked to be the best plays. I’m not disappointed, believe me.
Kailana: This probably wouldn’t be quite as fun a package in paperback, but $17 for a hardback children’s book is high. It was worth it to me, it may not be for anyone else. However it is only $11.55 on Amazon, so that isn’t bad. And hey, you might end up winning one!!! 😉 I see on Amazon that they are putting out the paperback with a CD of Jim Broadbent reading this. That would be really cool!
Jeff: We should keep an eye out for this at that store at the Great Mall. They seem to have a pretty good kids section there. And congrats again. Yes, you do need to get that shirt! If you didn’t do it, you should watch this version of the Penny’s commercial. It is longer and has some really fun stuff in it.
Pat: I haven’t ever posted that commerical before, I just saw it for the first time last night before Enchanted. It is amazing though, isn’t it.
So, maybe I will buy the hardcover edition for me (if I don’t win of course) and get a paperback edition for all the people I know with kids.
I’ve had my eyes on this book for a while… every time I enter the childrens section at the book store, I pick it up. Man, those childrens books section certainly do feed me and my imagination. 😉 I love how creative these illustrators, designers and writers get to be with their stories.
Well, even if you don’t feed me with a win on this one, I will definitely be going out and buying this one. For Annie. But not for now. For when she’s grown up.
Thanks for the commercial…now that was a pure Christmas treat!
Congrats to Jeff on his victory!
FEED ME! I am sure that my daughter and I would devour that book!
Cute book! I love that commercial too.
The book sounds delightful, and the artwork reminds me slightly of “The Day I Swapped my Father…”. Well, the bits you posted anyway.
Hm, it’s almost dinner time. I wonder what my family will feed me 😛
Man….I love a good book!! And Children’s books have always held a special place in my heart. Looks fantastic!!
Congrats Jeff on a fantasy win….and to you too Carl. My husband’s league ends today, and it is the tightest race ever in this league that is eight years old. That don’t do playoffs…..and they race is so tight a total of 47 points separates 2 – 6! With a good day today, Mike could end up in 2nd in both points and record. Randy Moss’ 100 yards and 2 TD’s yesterday was a very good start though. (Not bad for a receiver that he actually picked up in the 7th round of the draft!)
Now….I’m starving, so I’m going to “feed me” now!
I was lucky enough to find a copy of The Incredible Book Eating Boy at Half Price Books yesterday along with 2 others of Jeffers books. Last night Keri and I enjoyed devoring all 3 books with our two children. Thumbs up from all of us Carl! Great art with fun stories.