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I Will Chomp You! by Jory John

I Will Chomp You!
Written by Jory John
Illustrated by Bob Shea 
(Random House BYR; $17.99, Ages 3-7)

I_Will_Chomp_You

Starred Review – Booklist 

If you stepped inside my library during a recent reading of this book, you would have heard a ferocious sounding monster (a.k.a the librarian) roaring out:

“I WILL CHOMP YOU, BUSTER!”

Then you would have heard my kindergartners scream back:

“I WILL CHOMP YOU!”

Squealing in delight and quivering with anticipation, my kinders beg me to turn the page.

“You’ve been officially WARNED!” hollers the monster. Then he lunges out and …

“CHOMP!”

and misses. Then he warns us:

“You do NOT want to turn another page, buster.”

My students wonder why. Well, as the story continues, we quickly learn that this monster has something to hide and will use everything at his disposal, including bribery and deceit, to prevent us from finding what’s inside the book.

But, my curious and giggling students are not intimidated, even as they gasp aloud or cringe behind a classmate. They want to know what that monster’s hiding. So, I turn the page and …

“CHOMP!!

Whew! He missed. But … realizing that his threats are not working, the once fierce, but now desperate monster politely requests that we not turn the page. He even gets a bit teary and finally reveals his sweet and delicious secret. He might be willing to share it if we will …

“just come a little closer …
a little bit closer now” ….

“No, no, no!” scream my kindergartners, as I start to turn the page.

“CHOMP!”

When the monster misses yet again, he’s willing to make a deal, but can he be trusted?

Read on … if you dare!

This deceptively simple and wonderfully interactive story had my students laughing, shouting, and jumping up in excitement. The oversize words encouraged students to read aloud and interact with the story. Soon they realize that under no circumstances can this monster be trusted – he’ll do anything, even risk a stomach ache, to prevent us from discovering his secret.

Shea’s stylized and brightly colored illustrations focus mainly on the monster (and his chompers), creating an uncluttered look on the pages. Large, simple shapes (ovals, circles, triangles, etc.) that make up the monster’s body and his exaggerated facial expressions, contribute to the humor and action in John’s story.

Visit author Jory John’s and illustrator Bob Shea’s websites to learn more about them and their work. Check out the short Youtube book trailer below and this pdf from Random House Kids for a yummy activity certain to make all little chompers happy.

  • Reviewed by Dornel Cerro

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The Best Books are Silly Books

BTRAEveryone would agree that the American Library Association knows all there is to know about books. That’s why it makes a lot of sense that they published a list of  Silly Books to Read Aloud; Books That Will Have Adults and Kids Laughing Together ($18.95, Huron Street Press, Adults). Written by Rob Reid, a father of four children, instructor and expert of read aloud books, this treasure of humorous children’s books for all ages is a valuable resource for parents and teachers who strive to find books that will encourage the children in their lives to embrace reading.

There’s a brief introduction explaining the benefits of reading humorous books with your kids. Then there are chapters for picture books, easy readers, chapter books, poetry books, as well as graphic novels and manga. There’s also a Hall of Fame Guide to the Funniest Authors and Illustrators.  In each of the chapters, there’s an alphabetical list of books by author, followed by the title and a short paragraph with a synopsis of the book and mention of any companion books that you may wish to check out.

As a parent, I have vivid memories of the days when I bought books for my avid-reading daughter that I thought would be great only to be disappointed that they were often just plain boring. I love the fact that Silly Books to Read Aloud takes the guesswork out of choosing fun books to read together. And  since literacy is the single most crucial factor in financial success as an adult, making reading fun is essential for your child’s future.

As a book reviewer and children’s book author of a book about a silly talking  millipede, I am often asked by parents and teachers for recommendations for other humorous picture books. Now I can recommend they read Silly Books to Read Aloud, the ultimate guide to saving valuable time and making great choices when it comes to children’s book that are fun to read.

Reviewed by Debbie Glade.

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