I Do Not Like Stories
Author: Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Carey Sookocheff
Owlkids Books
Ages: 3 to 7 years old, Grades PK to 2
In delicate drawings and without providing a single word, Sookocheff manages to give the book an interesting central figure; unfortunately, it’s not the central figure the book set out to have. This is a case where the supporting cat, steals the show.
This story, is ostensibly about a boy that does not like stories. He lists all the types of stories that he doesn’t like. Honestly, in more detail than we need. But, if we didn’t have the detail, the book would be much shorter. Perhaps mercifully shorter. The real star of the book, is the boy’s Cat.
While the boy is at school, the Cat goes on an adventure through the city, thanks to the charming illustrations provided by Sookocheff. The Cat’s adventure, is far more interesting than the boy’s story. Sookocheff, provides a narrative where otherwise none would exist. It is unclear as to whether this was by design, a happy accident, or Sookocheff stepped in to fill a void.
In delicate drawings and without providing a single word, Sookocheff manages to give the book an interesting central figure; unfortunately, it’s not the central figure the book set out to have. This is a case where the supporting cat, steals the show.
But, back to the boy; who insists on not liking, in a curmudgeony fashion, any type of story; save perhaps, a story about a cat. I get it. Some three to seven-year-olds are stuck in the “I don’t like to read” or “I don’t like anything” phase, and this book is meant to help transition them out of that situation. I just don’t think it does a very good job. The boy is so stuck in “I do not like,” that it’s repeated like a mantra throughout the book. Here is a case where parallel construction does not work to your advantage. And, in the end, the best we get is he “might” like a story about a cat.
I am a strong believer in interactive reading and in teaching children about subtext, irony and even sarcasm from an early age. I just don’t think caretakers should have to work so hard to communicate messages. This book makes you work. A bit too hard.
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I Do Not Like Stories (Hardcover at Amazon)*
More books for this Age Group can be found here.
Please, leave comments! I love a HEALTHY exchange of ideas. After all, critical thinking is essential to life.
My thanks to Edelweiss+ and the Publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book. The views expressed herein are my own.
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