Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a book stuck on a library shelf?
A tome with telepathic powers searches for a reader and along the way offers some hilarious insights in Richard Ayoade’s The Book That No One Wanted to Read. This witty genre-busting story invites a lively conversation with “you,” the imagined reader. Told from the narrative voice of an unloved book, Ayoade also addresses some big topics like the value of stories that don’t quite fit a mold and the problems with books that adults love — especially when they are out to make a point. When considering what’s at stake in the life cycle of a book, everything from cover selection, parts of a book, library organization, librarian shushing, and the curious way a book can speak to its perfect-match reader delivers laugh out loud funny moments. The result is a comedic look at conventions of literature, genre, story structure, and style while considering the importance of storytelling. Visually delightful, the overall design and use of multiple fonts reinforces a sense of playfulness throughout. Tor Freeman’s beautifully rendered, whimsical illustrations add a sense of immediacy and enhance the humor. Since the non-human narrative book has no race or gender, the illustrations also effectively convey social diversity in skin tones, genders, and ages. A great choice for deep thinkers with a silly streak, reluctant readers, aspiring writers, or anyone who has yet to discover the joy of reading. This one of a kind, immersive middle grade meta-read will fuel the imagination and holds high appeal for readers searching for something new. (Ages 10-14).
A playful cure for the common book!
