The format and layout work perfectly to convey the underwater location with the movement of the action flowing with the water from left to right. The colour palette and matte texture is not one which you would normally associate with underwater and yet conveys it beautifully. The juxtaposition of text and image works with perfect comic timing. Amazing expression is conveyed by the eyes and dramatic tension by little bubbles.
It is good to see Jon Klassen back on the short list, but a little surprised that he is on twice! I think this book works really well as there is more of the story to tell by looking at the pictures than just reading the words. I will be interested to hear what everyone else thinks.
ReplyDeleteare you trying to make poor innocent children cry? I found the ending surprisingly scary.
ReplyDeletegabriella
Your comment made me smile because I have read this book to 4 and 5 year olds and they think it is funny. I wonder if you are finding it scary because you are older and can see that it would not be nice to be eaten. The younger children seem to not worry so much about how the big fish got his hat back and as the illustrator has not shown you what happens only implies it maybe they don't realise what has gone on. Maybe because you are older you have really understood what the ending of the story really is. I like the way the illustrator has used the eyes of the fish to suggest what is happening and I really like the crab pointing which way to go. The younger children find that page really funny
ReplyDeleteI agree with Garbriella, this book is not for kids. It scared me at the end. Even the title is not appropriate. This whole book is about a fish stealing and thinking he can get away with it and this is not right!
ReplyDeleteEmily
Well, I will do an experiment this week and see what our Kindies think! I have a feeling they'll think it's cute; however, I'm too old to think it is so innocent!
ReplyDeleteOkay now you have me wanting to read this one;) I need to return the books to the lc and get the British ones. Often the sense of humour in a book can appeal to adult and children alike. I am so curious now:)
ReplyDeleteHi Gabriella and Emily
ReplyDeleteI had another look at this book yesterday and if you look at the last couple of pictures the illustrator does not actually draw what happens. You see the big fish going behind the plants and then coming out with the hat. Could he have just have given the little fish a scare and taken the hat back. What makes you think something worse has happened?
Did you read 'I want my hat back' by the same illustrator last year? Do you think it is too similar?
I find the book clever as the picture tells the story from the big fish's point of view while the text is the small fish. I also like how at the end you can kind of make up your own ending.
ReplyDeleteI agree absolutely! I read this book to our Kindergarten class and they had 3 or 4 different opinions about the ending. They also liked the book better than the paper dolls book, which I found interesting.
DeleteI must share the experience I had reading both of John Klassan's books to a grade 3 class: they were out of their seats with mouths wide open! One boy pretended to be bored until the second book tipped even him over to awe. The "imagine your own ending" of "This Is Not My Hat" left them talking amongst themselves for several minutes. It was such fun. I guess this age has the right mix of imaginative edge to really experience this type of book. Their experience changed my experience! So fun.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to go to bed when you post came through. I was so please to hear the reaction of your students that I wanted to reply straight away. I think this is a very clever book and it does leave a lot to be talked about. It is a great book to share and maybe that is where the older students are not enjoying it quite as much. I'm fascinated by the amount of discussion this book has generated. Does that make it a winner? Right I must go to bed now :)
ReplyDeleteI have just read the book tonight and loved the gentle satire. I did not find it scary but rather poking fun at the little fish for thinking he could get away with stealing. Yes I can see how the older group enjoyed the discussion re the conclusion. Agreed this is definitely a potential winner.
ReplyDelete