Simon's Book

In this highly entertaining metatextual adventure, a young artist pauses, in the act of drawing a story about a boy named Simon, and the frightening monster that he is confronting, and goes to bed. Simon, meanwhile, stuck on the page with this threatening beast, is rescued by some pens and a bottle of ink, who create an escape for him. Unfortunately, the monster pursues, until... but I'll let you discover that yourself! Suffice it to say, all ends well.

I enjoyed this picture-book, and keep vacillating between three and four stars, when it comes to my rating. The artwork is distinctive, with a kind of quirky charm that is very appealing: I particularly liked the monster, with his long snout! The story itself is engaging, with a chase show more sequence that young readers will find immensely exciting (although perhaps a little scary) and an ending that is most satisfyingly happy. All right, that settles it! Four stars it is... show less

This is a wonderful piece of children’s metafiction. I’m a little disturbed that it appears in so few LibraryThing catalogues. The explanation, I hope, is that most people who own Simon’s Book are too young to be interested in cataloguing their books online. If this great book has actually become obscure, that’s a dirty shame.

I must have been three or four when this book appeared among my Christmas presents. I don’t remember if I had a creative bone in my body before I read it, but any interest I may have had in reading, writing, drawing, or creativity of any shape was surely stoked by Drescher’s story. It has a simple, clever structure that I still find inspiring twenty years later.

I’m not one of those who believe that show more little children should be protected from all dark and scary imagery, but I suppose a mild warning is in order: there’s a monster in this story, a very effective one. It has lots of hair, pointy teeth, a spiny back, human-like hands, and a long, heart-shaped snout. The snake-like vivified pens are even more potentially unsettling, and the inky scenery—augmented by lovely, atmospheric water color backgrounds—adds some menace to the already-tense chase scene that makes up most of the book. But the sweet-natured ending should comfort nightmare-prone readers. I don’t recall any unpleasant dreams incurred as a result of being read this book as a toddler.

Besides that, the incredible inventiveness of the story and illustrations gives the book a really wide appeal. I would recommend it to just about anyone, in fact, on the strength of Drescher’s skillful art and writing. It holds up well on every level. It deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with Neil Gaiman’s The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish and The Wolves in the Walls. show less

Kindergarteners and First Graders often ask for a scary book. The monster in this book looks pretty darned scary! Some of the imagery is a bit weird, but I have little other complaint about this enticing picture book. So glad it is still in print and available in library binding after all these years!

Summary
The story was about a boy who was drawing a character by the name Simon and a scary monster. When the boy decided to go to sleep, an amazing adventure began. A couple of pens and ink came together to help Simon escape the scary monster. As they go to each page, the ink and the pens draw scenes to try and escape the monster as he gets closer to Simon. When the scary monster finally gets a hold of Simon, he gives him a wet kiss. That was not what Simon expected. The ink and the pens draw a comfortable bed for Simon and the monster to fall asleep in. When the boy awoke the next morning, he found that the book he was working on before he went to sleep had been completed.
Personal Reaction
I really enjoyed the book. It captivated my show more imagination with the ink and the pens drawing scenes to save Simon. I thought Simon was actually going to be eaten , instead he received a big kiss from the monster. I also like how the author at the end said the book I was reading was the one that the ink and pens had created while they set off on their adventure in saving Simon. Although the illustrations were not too detailed the story was very entertaining.
Classroom Extension Ideas
1. The students can work together to create a book for their reading center.
2. Story can be read during large group time to discuss reality and imagination. show less

Summary
The book was about a little boy who drew a picture before he went to bed. It was picture of a boy named Simon and a monster. It was an unfinished painting. When the little boy went to bed the pictures came to life. Simon the drawing was running from the monster on each page. With the help of a pen and some ink he was able to escape the monster till the very last page.
Personal reaction
I thought the book was creepy. The pens in the illustration were weird. The book was okay. It is a little to weird for me but the adventure Simon had was fun. If the drawings were not a creepy I would probably like it more.
Classroom Extension
1. Have the students paint their own story.
2. Have the students create their own monster that they think is show more scary and creepy. show less

Summary:
Before bed a boy named simon starts drawing a story. He got tired and went to sleep. He heard a noise on the paper. He got up and saw two pens and a bottle of ink on the paper. The pen and ink introduced themselves to Simon. Then the beast the boy had drawn leaped at them. They ran and ran and the beast finally caught them but instead of hurting them it kissed simon. they all went to sleep, then when the boy woke up he found the book we've just read.
Personal Reaction:
i enjoyed this book, it was very creative and the pictures seemed to jump off the pages at me.
Classroom Extention:
1. Children can make their own story
2. Children can draw their own beast

Summary- A boys drawing comes to life in order to run away from monsters.

Personal Opinion- A very creative story. Cartoon artwork with ink and water colors.

Classroom- 1)Discuss how to be inspired to do homework. 2) What are prime colors and how mixed they can crate new colors. 3) What happens when projects goes unfinished.