Mostly this is just a bunch of not very interesting illustrations. The story had no interesting elements, good language or cute story line. Hmm. ( )

This was a cute book. I liked the fact that the pictures were so beautiful and realistic. It made the book come to life. I also liked the puns the author threw in the book. A couple examples of these puns are "he found the book to be very ribbiting" when talking about a book about frogs and "who found it a swimmingly good read" when talking about a book about fish. While this book is very different from the traditional picture books, it still sends a message that books are important and people read about what they like. ( )

My current favorite book of all time. The story is fantastic, and the illustrations, done in collage form, invite hours of study and marvel. Parlato is a genius! ( )

An interesting one! Not so much a story as an art experiment. Please see my full review on Reading Rumpus by CLICKING HERE ( )

Welcome to my world. At least that’s what I thought when I read the beginning of The World That Loved Books, by Stephen Parlato. From the opening page:

“There once was a world where everyone loved books, even the animals. Everyone loved to read so much that when they read their books they became what they read.”

Bravo! This book was so spectacular I read it slowly savoring every memorable morsel of text and the intricate illustrations that honestly should be framed mounted and hung in an art gallery. This author and illustrator understands the importance of providing a simple text with everyday vocabulary. Each couplet with the complementary detailed drawing stand alone, but together they will fascinate students, engage their thinking and stimulate questions and ideas. The book will be enjoyed by all students, whether the student is an auditory or verbal learner, ELL, special needs, gifted and talented or in the mainstream classroom. Mr. Parlato’s text and collages are an oxymoron of simple elaboration.

Once you read this book you will love reading it to your class. You will garner ways to use it in lessons and realize it is an essential part of your classroom library. Anyone who loves books or struggles to get others to read will cherish The World that Loved Books by Stephen Parlato, an exceptionally creative master.

Wisteria Leigh
January 6, 2009 ( )