| ________________
CM . . .
. Volume X Number 16 . . . . April 8, 2004
excerpt:
Nicholas never seems to do anything right, but, for every problem, there seems to be a book with a solution. Nicholas' family give him books about tying shoelaces; brushing teeth, and washing cats, and his friend Veronica gives him a book about how to ride a bike.
Too Many Books! is a warm, humourous book about a young reluctant reader who assumes that all books contain instructional material until a peer introduces him to the public library and recreational reading. Children may relate to the irresponsibility and inexperience of the main character. Being in a hurry, Nicholas has untied shoelaces, and he squirts toothpaste all over the bathroom. Being inexperienced, he has trouble trying to bathe the cat and ride a bike. Young children or inexperienced, beginner readers might relate to Nicholas' uncertainty about reading for pleasure. Positive emotional messages about reading are conveyed in St-Aubin's illustrations. Before reading the instruction books, Nicholas appears surprised or frustrated; after reading the books, Nicholas appears happy and confident from his success in tying shoelaces, brushing teeth, washing the cat, or riding his bike. Before Nicholas went to the library, the reader is left with the impression that reading was a solitary activity done out of necessity. After Nicholas accompanies Veronica to the library, the reader sees Nicholas confidently reading to his family and friends and enjoying their attention. A soft, warm, shadowy picture of Nicholas reading in bed accentuates the character's feelings of security and contentment that he has found through reading. Teachers and/or librarians might read this book during an initial class visit to the school or public library. Combined with age-appropriate displays of fiction genres and non-fiction materials, Too Many Books would be a great way to introduce children to the variety of print materials. Children and their parents or caregivers might discuss the feelings evoked by books and reading. Discussions might identify the reasons behind favourite books and reading spaces, as well as the appropriate locations for group and solitary reading. Through these discussions, generation gaps are eliminated; common interests emerge; families are strengthened. Highly Recommended.Located in Brandon, MB, Denise Weir is a consultant with Manitoba Culture Heritage and Tourism, Public Library Services.
To comment on this
title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal
use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any
other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 8, 2004. AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME |
To thank Veronica, Nicholas goes with her to the library where he is overwhelmed by the number
of books available. To make Veronica happy, Nicholas chooses three books - "a pirate adventure,
a book about knights and a funny story." Although Veronica is enthusiastic about reading her
books, Nicholas is a reluctant reader. He is pleasantly surprised when he reads the funny book,
and his reaction results in his sharing the story with his family and Veronica. As a result, Nicholas
becomes the "happiest reader in the world."