Module 1: We are in a Book - Intro to Youth Literature

Book Summary:
 

Piggie and Gerald are back and have just found out that they are in a book.  They are super excited about being in a book especially when they realize that a “reader” is watching them and reading the book.  Piggie has a brilliant plan to get the reader to say a word.  He had the reader say “Banana”.  This is repeated with much laughter.  Then when the book ends, they want to do it again, which is what all kids want to do.  Read it again.

APA Reference:

Willems, M. (2010). We are in a Book. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Impressions:

Mo Willems has done it a again.  He has brought back Piggie and Gerald to delight and entertain children and adults.  He has used his humor, simple illustrations and text to engage the reader in the story line.  Students prek - 2  grades will laugh and be involved in the story as they repeat the word banana displayed by Piggie.  Students will want to read and reread this story, even when they know the outcome of the plot.  This is a wonderful story to being laughter and humor into the library. ELL and non readers can still enjoy the story through the simple use of conversation dialog boxes and simply vocabulary.

Professional Review:

Stalwart friends Piggie and Gerald the elephant push the metafictive envelope in a big way when they realize that "someone is looking at us." Is it a monster? worries Gerald. "No," replies the squinting Piggie. "It is... / a reader! / A reader is reading us!" How? wonders Gerald. Piggie drapes herself on a word bubble to demonstrate: "We are in a book!" "THAT IS SO COOL!" Joy leads to a little bit of clever practical joking—Piggie figures out how to make the readers say "banana" out loud, and hilarity ensues—which gives way to existential angst: "The book ends?!" exclaims an appalled Gerald. Emergent readers just beginning to grapple one-on-one with the rules of the printed codex will find the friends' antics both funny and provocative: Just who is in control here, anyway? As always, Willems displays his customary control of both body language and pacing even as he challenges his readers to engage with his characters and the physicality of their book. The friends' solution to the book's imminent end? "Hello. Will you please read us again?" You bet.(Early reader. 4-8)

We are in a book. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(17), 870.

Library Uses:

This book can be used to teach conversation or dialog writing.  This is a simple way to demonstrate who is talking with the use of colored speech or conversation bubbles.  When Gerald is talking they are gray and when Piggie is talking they are pink.