This is Silly! Gary Taxali. New York, NY: Scholastic (Distributed in Canada by Scholastic Canada), 2010. 32 pp., hardcover, $19.99. ISBN 978-0-439-71836-3. Subject Headings: Stories in rhyme. Humorous stories. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 2-7. Review by Kristen Ferguson. *** /4

excerpt:

Willy-nilly, THIS IS SILLY!

SILLY WILLY, this is fun!

A kooky cast of characters and toys romp and play in this picture book that is told in a nonsense style of verse. The toys march, run, tumble, drive cars, make faces, and laugh about their silliness.

A tramping troupe marches by, BUMBLING BUFFOONERY!
Loony, laughy, dizzy, daffy,
Tumbling tomfoolery!

     The book ends with the question, "Can YOU be silly, too?" and readers can make their own silly faces in the mirror which is affixed to the last page.

     This is Silly! is illustrated with Taxali's vibrant and vintage pop art-style drawings. The text is also written in a variety of fonts, making the book even more silly and whimsical. A sort of Edward Lear meets Andy Warhol, This is Silly! creates a fantastical world of playful fun. This is Silly! is recommended for preschool to early readers and would be an entertaining book to be shared between children and their caregivers.

Recommended.

Dr. Kristen Ferguson teaches literacy education at the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University in North Bay, ON.

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.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

NEXT REVIEW | TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - November 12, 2010.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME