This is My Book! by M. Pett

Abstract

Pett, Mark. This is My Book! Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016.

This simple children’s picture book written and illustrated by the self proclaimed “authorstrator”, Mark Pett, conveys a strong message about sharing to its 3-7 year old audience. The pristinely white pages are the backdrops to the author’s instructions on how to create a book. Pett skillfully poses himself as the main character, making it known that he is the boss of this great work of art and solely in charge of how to accomplish his goal. Of utmost importance, under his decree, is that the book itself needs to stay nice and clean, implying that whoever is reading it will look with their eyes and not with their hands. Ironically, this endeavor is virtually impossible when dealing with small children.

In the durable pages meant for little hands, the desire for control exhibited by Mr. Pett, the main character, is evident. When he introduces a secondary character, Perfectly Polite Panda, who speaks up immediately professing that he prefers to be called Spike, mild irritation results as he sets out the other rules for creating his book.

Unbeknownst to Mr. Pett, Polite Panda shows his creativity by drawing characters Pinky, Joe, Norbert and Squiggly on those pristine walls. As expected, Mr. Pett becomes very upset that his rules are not being followed. It is obvious he doesn’t like to share the spotlight and it is in this moment where Spike’s free-flowing actions start to unravel Mr. Pett’s master plan. The illustrations showcase Mr. Pett’s irritation and frustration which eventually lead to an all out temper tantrum with clenched fists and even jumping up and down. Undoubtedly, every child has felt these emotions and could identify with the main character. Both parents and their children could have fun in a read aloud mimicking, both in tone and action, how silly children and sometimes even adults can sound when they don’t get their way.

“Why aren’t you listening to me?!” Mr. Pet pleads almost crying in exasperation while the other characters smile happily at the notion of using pop ups in his book.

Providing flaps, pull tabs and pop-ups, much to the dismay of Mr. Pett, Spike gives the audience an opportunity to be interactive with the book itself, a feature many children will love. Experiencing a complete melt-down at the actions of Spike, Mr. Pett finally resolves to listen to him as he explains that the book really isn’t just his in the first place; rather, it’s everyone’s to enjoy and create. There is even a space at the back inviting the audience to practice his or her own creative drawing as well. Similar in messaging as Pett’s earlier work The Girl and The Bicycle, much can be learned from the company of others and a story needn’t contain a lot of words to accomplish this feat.

Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Shannon Eremenko

Shannon is a Grade Six teacher in an Edmonton elementary school who loves to incorporate real life stories to make curriculum come alive in her classroom.