The Incredible Book Eating Boy

The Incredible Book Eating Boy is a great book to read to a class when attempting to promote the idea that reading is cool because it makes you look smart.

The main character, Henry, loves to eat books. But, when he starts to feel sick from the eating of such non-food items, he decides that maybe, just maybe, he should be devouring the book in another way.

The art work for this book was created on pages from weeded books from libraries, found books, or throw away books. The paint and pencil drawings are detailed, striking, and colorful. When the words from the old book pages show through the paintings, the concept or idea behind the knowledge of books is all the more powerful.

I've recently become a fan of Oliver Jeffers because of the way that he can write a book with powerful lessons in it and not sound condescending.

Jeffers, Oliver. The Incredible Book Eating Boy. Philomel Books: New York, 2006. ISBN: 978-0399-24749-1.