Smith, L. (2010). It's a Book. NY: Roaring Brook Press
It would seem that Lane Smith is using a monkey, a mouse and a jackass to provide commentary on our electronically obsessed culture. What is this strange object that doesn't scroll, charge, tweet, require a password, or allow edits? Well it's a book and this jackass just doesn't understand. While simple in premise, the target audience should be able to appreciate the sarcastic approach and social implications.
Textbook Assignment #1 - Literary Example of Shape
When the plot revolves around the seemingly simple explanation of a book, it’s easy to choose shape as the predominant visual element. But the simpleness of the illustrations keep the focus on the plight of the very patient monkey. Despite his best efforts, the jackass just doesn’t get it! This particular rectangular object is a book, not something that plays music, requires wi-fi, or needs a mouse. Even after spending hours in his angular chair, under the round clock with more explanation that he should require, the jackass still doesn’t understand. The pictures support the story with simple lines that define the setting without distracting from the theme of the book.
Evaluative Criteria - Style
The overall mood set by Lane Smith in It’s a Book is one of snark and sarcasm, making it perfectly at home on the shelves of a middle school library. With a main character who is literally and figuratively a jackass, the reader finds little hope that he will come to understand what this strange thing is in his hands. A physical style can be found in the author’s use of color-coded dialogue which helps the reader navigate the conversation between the three characters while also negating the need for a narrator.
Book Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU
Interview with Author
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/08/31/its-a-book-author-lane-smith-on-kids-and-technology/
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