Module 1: Introduction to Youth Literature

"I can make the reader say a word" 

We Are in a Book!, Mo Willems

Book Summary:
Piggie discovers that she and Gerald are in a book, and she can make the reader say a funny word out loud, they both are excited and think this is hilarious. But then Gerald realizes that the book is going to end soon! What will happen then? Gerald just wants to be read!! As always, Piggie has a great

idea: she will ask the reader to start the book again.

Reference:
Willems, M. (2010). We Are in a Book! New York, N.Y. Hyperion.

Impressions:
LOVED IT!!!!! A great interactive book and so cute, very reminiscent of The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone. While it was my first experience reading a Mo Willems book, I now I understand the draw of his books for young readers. The humour carefully scripted text and comic book, conversational style make the Elephant & Piggie series a fabulous beginning reader series.This book can be read over and over and with many different voices and personalities. My daughter and I both laughed several times at this, and it never got old.  An engaging book for readers of all ages and so many great uses to incorporate into a classroom lesson. This book so interested me I decided to look him up to see what kind of background he had with children. I found a quote from him that struck me. "Always think about your audience, never for your audience". Mo Willems

YouTube Video: Piggie and Gerald - We Are in a Book by Kyle Kaufman

Kaufman, K. (June 22, 2012) Piggie and Gerald - We Are in a Book, Retrieved from https://youtu.be/X93c86EYnco

Professional Review:
Stalwart friends Piggie and Gerald, the elephant, push the metafiction envelope in a big way when they realize that "someone is looking at us." Is it a monster? Worries Gerald. "No," replies the squinting Piggie. "It is... / a reader! / A reader is reading us!" How? Wonders Gerald. Piggie drapes herself on a word bubble to demonstrate: "We are in a book!" "THAT IS SO COOL!" Joy leads to a little bit of smart, practical joking—Piggie figures out how to make the readers say "banana" out loud, and hilarity ensues—which gives way to existential angst: "The book ends?!" exclaims an appalled Gerald. Emergent readers just beginning to grapple one-on-one with the rules of the printed codex will find the friends' antics both funny and provocative: Just who is in control here, anyway? As always, Willems displays his customary control of both body language and pacing even as he challenges his readers to engage with his characters and the physicality of their book. The friends' solution to the book's imminent end? "Hello. Will you please read us again?" You bet.(Early reader. 4-8)

Kirkus Review (2010, September) [Review of the book We Are in a Book, By Mo Willems] Kirkus Media LLC New York, N.Y. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mo-willems/we-are-book/

Library Uses:
November is National Picture Book Month. In conjunction with a display of great picture books, our library could set up a picture taking designated area with a large handmade frame with the words, "I am in a book" written around the edge. Kids would have the opportunity to take a picture pretending to be in a book. The printed photo would be given to patrons as soon as the image was uploaded to the printer. A staff member would run the photo area, so this would only be a one-day activity.