  | We are in a book! (Elephant & Piggie book) Author: Willems, Mo | |
| Price: $16.49 | ||
Summary:
Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read! But what will happen when the book ends!?
Download a Teacher's Guide
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: .90 Points: .5 Quiz: 154356 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: K-2 Reading Level: 1.00 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 57048 | |
Awards:
Theodor Seuss Geisel Beginning Reader Honor, 2011
Common Core Standards
Grade K → Reading → RL Literature → K.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade K → Reading → RL Literature → K.RL Craft & Structure
Grade K → Reading → RL Literature → K.RL Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Grade 1 → Reading → RL Reading Literature → 1.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 1 → Reading → RL Reading Literature → 1.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade K → Reading → RF Foundational Skills → K.RF Fluency
Grade 2 → Reading → RL Reading Literature → 2.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 2 → Reading → RL Reading Literature → 2.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 2 → Reading → RL Reading Literature → 2.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 2 → Reading → CCR College & Career Readiness Anchor Standards fo
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (09/01/10)
School Library Journal (+) (11/01/10)
Booklist (09/15/10)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (10/10)
Full Text Reviews:
Bulletin for the Center... - 10/01/2010 After several rousing adventures, it’s probably about time that Elephant (aka Gerald) and Piggie start questioning the facts of their existence-namely, that they are characters in a book, and that books end. Not to worry-they don’t get all the way to the crisis-y part of such a postmodern existential dilemma; instead, being Elephant and Piggie, they explore the mystery and wonder of having an audience. Though Gerald is freaked when he realizes someone is looking at them, Piggie fearlessly approaches the book’s horizon to see who it is; she discovers not only that it’s a reader but also that she and Gerald can make the reader say whatever they want just by putting the text in a speech bubble. Piggie’s making a reader say “banana” is all that’s needed to send the friends into paroxysms of gasping laughter, until Piggie points out that Gerald may want a turn before the book ends. Gerald once again panics, and Piggie once again gathers information and formulates an idea that will save them. As always, Willems’ finger is firmly on the pulse of today’s kids and their culture, as he plays with the joyful, performative aspects of seeking and sustaining attention, with Gerald particularly antic in his exuberant reactions to each new development. It’s a good thing that Willems chooses to place his characters on flat white backgrounds and limit the color palette to their signal pink and grey, linking them to more muted shades of those colors in their speech bubbles, since the physical comedy of their actions would be too chaotic otherwise. Gerald and Piggie are so delirious with the possibility of sly manipulation of their readers, not to mention so open with their need (Gerald’s embodied hysteria over finding out that the book will end closes with the small-fonted, droopy-postured plea “I just want to be read” that even the smallest culture-mulchers will know how to intone), that readers will be happy to play along-heck, who ever needed a fourth wall anyway? KC - Copyright 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.
Booklist - 09/15/2010 In their latest pairing, Elephant and Piggie are finally ready to get meta. Realizing that their trademark blank background is, in fact, a page, the duo has a blast convincing the reader to say funny things out loud—until Piggie mentions that the book will soon end. Cue Elephant’s existential crisis: “WHEN WILL THE BOOK END!?!” From there on, it’s a cute—but never too heady—play on the physical object that the reader is holding, including a bit where Piggie appears to flip the pages forward to get a sense of how much time they have left. Willems’ satisfying (if self-serving) solution? Read it again! - Copyright 2010 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 11/01/2010 PreS-Gr 2—Make room for another satisfying episode in the escapades of lovable Elephant (aka Gerald) and Piggie. This time the best buddies star in a witty metafictional romp replete with visual gags, such as Piggie hanging from a speech bubble and Elephant blocking the author's name on the title page. Willems revs up the fun when the friends realize that someone is watching. Who can it be? Cautious Gerald asks, "A monster?" while savvy Piggie answers, "No. It is...a reader! A reader is reading us!" Mirth ensues as the delightful creatures comprehend a newfound power: "If the reader reads out loud," they can make the reader say words. Piggie decides upon "Banana" and Gerald's sidesplitting laughter proves contagious for all involved. But, when Gerald learns that books end, with Piggie demonstrating by turning the bottom corner of the page to see how many are left, he shouts, "This book is going too fast! I have more to give!" Not to worry—the ever-resourceful Piggie has Gerald ask, "Will you please read us again?" Beginning readers will grant Gerald's request, while grown-ups will marvel at Willems's extraordinary ability to animate his personality-packed gray and pink characters with the widest range of emotions, all drawn with the simplest of line.—Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools - Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
