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The Book with No Pictures



Last updated Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Author: B.J. Novak
Date of Publication: 2014
ISBN: 0803741715
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2016

Synopsis: 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. 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 adults will be happy to oblige.)

Note to readers:
•  Highly recommended viewing to help you read this book aloud: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cREyQJO9EPs you can see the author read this book to a roomful of children!
•  Before reading, have the students fold a blank piece of paper into four parts. As you read through the book, have them draw their own pictures to match the words.
•  Vocabulary: ridiculous--silly, childish, funny; preposterous--ridiculous (silly, childish, funny)

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think this book will be about?
•  Do you think a book can be fun without pictures?
•  Have you ever made up your own words with your friends or family?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What would a monkey voice sound like?
•  What silly word did you think was the funniest?
•  did you enjoy reading a book without pictures? Why or why not?
•  If you wrote a book, what would you have it say?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a robot monkey mask (template at http://thebookwithnopictures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TBWNP-activities.pdf )
•  Make a blueberry pizza head mask (template at http://thebookwithnopictures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/TBWNP-activities.pdf )
•  Create your own book with either all pictures or no pictures at all.

Special activities:
•  Have each child come up with their own silly, made up sound to have the volunteers say out loud.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!