The Incredible Book Eating Boy!

When I saw this book, I definitely experienced one of those dammit, why the hell didn't I think of this idea! moments. The title alone! Brilliant! And then the artwork...so delightful, so delicious to the eyes I could weep big fat jealous tears. A scrumptious mix of painting and pencil and collage, creating a tantalizing, tactile tome in one's hand. Oh yeah, and the story's fun, too! Quite simple (and really, the best kid's stories usually are) – boy named Henry discovers he loves to eats books, and then to his delight, realizes that the more books he eats, the smarter he gets! With the goal of becoming The Smartest Boy on Earth, Henry sets out on a mission to devour every book he can get his grubby little hands on. What do you think happens? Heh. I ain't gonna tell you!

Oliver Jeffers is the author and illustrator of this wonderful story, and he's also created two other children's books, How to Catch a Star, and Lost and Found. The Incredible Book Eating Boy has been shortlisted for the Irish Children's Book of the Year 2007.

Here's a page from the book. Note the great mix of paint and pencil with old books and graph paper. I love that look!

And the bottom of the back page is pure delight!

Comments

[Beth]

What an original, fantastic idea for a book. When you've finished with your "big, fat, jealous tears," take some time off from your busy schedule and come up with your own concept. You can do it! Think of what you love, what fascinates you and then remember what it's like to be a kid. (That, I know you remember.)
Yeah - easy for me to give advice. I can't even meet deadlines.

[patricia]

Yeah...those damn deadlines!

Actually, I've got a couple of ideas for picture book projects kicking around...told the stories to the hubby last night, and he thinks they're good (he would, wouldn't he?). Now all I have to do is get to work!

[Isabella]

I have to check this out -- we loved How to Catch a Star.