It has sharp teeth, and oh - look out! Where's it gone? It's ripped a page out of the book! Let's turn the page very carefully and see what it could be . . .
A crocodile! A really big scary one! Our little Ugly Duckling is keeping his distance. He's heard crocs can be quite ferocious - but wait - what's he doing now? He's - he's - eating the words! That's right - he's eating the words of this book!
Maybe if we rock the book back and forth - what will happen then? Will he stop? Maybe if we can just get him to sleep . . . then we could draw a tutu on him; what do you think about that?
I adore this book. I adore our little Ugly Ducking storyteller (with some considerable chutzpah!) and I adore the croc and I adore the wordage and the illustrations and the utterly original, interactive and totally fun fun fun way author Bromley and illustrator O'Byrne have pieced this book together.
From the fabulous typography to the pure and childlike egging-on of the text and truly sensational illustrations, this book will quickly become a favourite in both the classroom and at home. And don't worry about the rather large, gaping hole in the back of the book - you'll soon understand why it's there. But please remember - do turn the pages carefully!
One of my favourite picture books this year.
Title: Open Very Carefully: A book with bite!
Author: Nick Bromley
Illustrator: Nicola Byrne
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $22.99 RRP
Publication Date: February 2013
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9780857630476
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book