It's a Book

You can't text, blog, or tweet with it. Nor can you scroll down or use Wi-Fi with it. So just what exactly does a book do? The monkey does his best to explain to the jackass exactly what it is that a book does. But will the tech savvy little jackass with a laptop attached at the hip ever get it? Read the book and find out.

The Bottom Line: "It's a Book" is sassy and fun. Lane Smith brilliantly contrasts modern technology with timeless media. Smith doesn't need a lot of words to make a point. The adorable illustrations feature a minimalist approach in muted colors. This is a great example of where less is more and sometimes a simple approach is best. Highly recommended for the young and the young at heart as well as all bibliophiles with show more a sense of humor. Well done!

This review is also posted at the Mini Book Bytes Book review blog: http://minibookbytes.blogspot.com/ show less

I enjoy the humor, with and artistry of Lane Smith. This is a laugh-out-loud look at the concept of a written book rather than a time in the future when perhaps only digitized or oral books will be the mode of learning about a book. As the donkey notes that the monkey is holding a shape and avidly looking through the pages, he asks "What do you have there?" "Where is your mouse?" "Can you manipulate the characters?" "Does it need a password?" "Is there need for a screen name?"

The answer to each of these questions is "IT'S A BOOK!!!">

I admit that I am one of the hold outs in wanting to hold a physical book, and feel the texture as I turn the pages. Perhaps in the future as I grow older and arthritis sets in, I will consume books that are show more not tangible. But, for now, I will keep turning the pages. show less

I'm not sure if the below trailer enhances or detracts from the message of Lane Smith's "It's a Book". I understand that these trailers can be useful if one is advertising, but oh the irony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU

I LOVED this book. I want to own it. I want to use it. It's a gentle, glorious reminders of all that is RIGHT about reading. AND I adore the fact that Smith uses the device of defining something by what it ISN'T, not by what it IS. I once engaged in a writing exercise that employed this technique, and I am including it below in case the connection warrants itself to some future lesson

"It's easier to say what play is not than what it is. Play is not reaching toward a goal, striving, straining toward show more perfection. Play is not putting in your time, practicing with a metronome, measuring out your successes and failures, hoping against hope that positive effects of your successes outweigh the negative impacts of your bad choices. Play is not duty. Play is not a careful listing of pros and cons, and then going with the most logical choice. (Though one may weigh pros and cons within the context of play, this is a side-effect, not the first cause) Play is lighthearted, unpretentious, the least self-conscious of all activities. Play is unfettered joy made tangible. Play is twirling lavender skirts. Play is singing for joy in the shower, shooting hoops at sunset, walking silly in public, and blowing bubbles in the bathtub. Play is finger-painting with the soul. Play is freedom." show less

This is a great little book.

A laptop-bearing jackass (or donkey, if it suits your sensibilities better, but I'm using the book's terminology) and a book-bearing monkey engage in a dialogue about what, exactly, is a book. Throughout, it's very neat that the jackass' dialogue is in a tech-font and that the monkey's dialogue is in a traditional typeface. The jackass wants to know if it can scroll down, if the characters can fight, where the mouse is (there is a little mouse, the furry kind, cleverly hiding under the monkey's hat), if it needs a screen name, etc. This monkey's not reading a Kindle; the answer to all these questions is no, it's a book. Slowly, the jackass becomes absorbed in this "new" thing and refuses to relinquish his show more new treasure, prompting the monkey to go to the-- gasp!-- library.

And then there comes the final line of the book, which is going to be a sticking point for some readers. The jackass promises to recharge the book when he's done, and he's told he doesn't have to-- "It's a book, jackass." This doesn't offend me, but I'm 30 and childless. I don't have to explain the hilarious little exchange to anyone, and I'm not puritanical. I work in a public library, though, and I can foresee problems with this final line and some parents. It's going to step on some toes. My personal feeling is that it's the best line in the book, but, from working with the public, I know you have to respect the feelings of your whole readership.

This complicates the issue of what audience this book is intended for. This is a wonderful book, and adults should put it on their to-read list; parents should probably be advised to give it a once-over and evaluate it based on their own criteria before using it as a read-aloud to children. show less

Dear Amazon Kindle,

Do you know what else is portable? Do you know what else allows me to read anywhere at any given time? Do you know what else I can read on a beach or in any light? Do you know what else has crisp black and white contrast for easy reading? Do you know what else I can fit in my purse? Do you? Do you?

A book.

I'm not a technology curmudgeon (although my use of the word "curmudgeon" alone probably indicates that I'm well on my doddering way into old people-ville). There have been many technological advances of which I'm quite fond--just try and pry my iPod out of my cold dead hand. However, when it comes to technology, I see two categories: 1) technology that saves time and adds to the quality of my life and 2) status show more technology. For the most part, I think e-readers and their ilk fall into status technology. It screams "hey, look at me and my nifty gadget." Sure you can download several books within seconds, but going to a bookstore and browsing through the selections with a cuppa joe in my hand is one of my favorite things. I like walking around, basket on my arm, adding to it any item that catches my fancy. I like agonizing over which of my carefully selected books will be going home with me as I weigh my wants against what my meager bank account will allow me to have. I love the feel of books, the smell of books, the covers of books. I love turning pages. I love seeing what others are reading.

And that's why I love It's a Book. In a world of techno-abundance, it reminds the jackasses of the world that the book is already perfection. show less

Marvelous book, marketed as a juvenile picture book, but I think adults (who love books) will enjoy it as well. Fun, rough illustrations capture the personalities of a monkey (and his pet mouse), and a jackass as they "discuss" the merits of a traditional old-fashioned book vs. all of today's high-tech gadgets.

The punchline at the end, though predictable, is still grin-inducing! A fun read, and Monkey's attitude pretty much sums up my own towards the folks who behave like jackass does here.

The ultimate battle between entertainment devices: old versus new, low-tech versus high tech; pitching friends - a donkey and a monkey - against each other.



Cue "Eye of the Tiger". *bobs head back and forth*

These days we're more likely to pick up a shiny and versatile iPad before we'd even look at the one-trick pony of a book, dismissing their simplicity by thinking it's synonymous with boring. Far from it! The simple things in life can be the most enjoyable.

I can imagine children having this exact conversation either among themselves or with an adult. It's a cute way to introduce children to the now old fashioned notion of holding and reading a physical book.

As soon as I was done fawning over this I passed it on to my sick mother who's show more been miserable of late and it produced a fit of laughter - a surprisingly happy sound I've been missing of late.

Beautifully illustrated with such an adorable and timely little story to perk up anyone's day, It's a Book... so awesome it should be on every child's bibliophile's bookshelf. show less