Via Todd Mayville

on Jan 8, 2011

Book review: It’s A Book (Lane Smith)

This wonderfully witty tale by Lane Smith tells the story of Monkey and Mouse as they try to explain to their friend, Jackass, what a book is.

Presented as a children’s picture book, Monkey attempts to explain to his friend what a book does and does not do. Jackass seems completely puzzled by the technology of a book and wants to know if it blogs, Tweets, has wi-fi, and so forth. The ever patient Monkey and Mouse do their best and finally bring the book to a satisfyingly subversive close.

This little masterpiece is a wonderful story for all ages. From Roaring Brook Press and available from your local, independent bookseller. (Shop independent, shop local, and tell ‘em you saw it on Elephant Journal!)

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Todd is a single dad of four diverse and lively kids, and is an English teacher and climbing team coach at a local public high school. A rock climber, cyclist and avid reader, Todd also practices yoga and meditation as often as he possibly can, which helps him stay at least a little centered and sane.