SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR
by Miri Leshem-Pelly
Kane Miller Books
Picture Book
32 pages
Scribble & Author is written as a dialogue between the main character, Scribble, and the author who created her.
Scribble’s journey starts on a peaceful shore called THE BEGINNING, continues to the rough, adventurous MIDDLE, and leads finally to the gate of THE ENDING, but it’s not at all what Scribble expected… Scribble is a scribble and Author is an author, but who really gets to tell the tale?
A picture book about finding your own voice, making your own decisions, and writing your own story.
MY TIDBITS
This is not your average tale, but packs deeper meaning behind lighter fun.
Scribble is scribbled into existence by Author and unsure what to do with his sudden life. When Author asks what Scribble would like to have the most, the answer is quick -a friend. But Author doesn't just make Scribble's wish come true. First, Scribble must follow a path from beginning to middle to end, and experience a few adventures.
In many ways, this is two books in one. Scribble is a super cute character going on an adventure, which is sure to thrill young readers/listeners. She's full of imagination, tells Author exactly what she thinks and has a few clever tricks up her sleeves, which make her a joy to cheer for as she goes up against one challenge after other. On the other side, Scribble's adventures have more meaning buried in them than meets the eye. Slightly older readers will realize that Scribble isn't really following her own path but is being lead by Author through a basic plot structure: Beginning, a middle with challenges to overcome which strengthen the character and resolve, and an ending which may not be what the main character has in mind but pulls at the heart-strings and makes the story complete.
That makes this book suitable for two types of audiences. Kids ages 3 and up will find the story simple cute. The writing is perfect for this audience, not only in the wording but in the little amount of text. Some of the text appears in speech bubbles, while other phrases are printed as usual. There are always only a few lines, making this a quick read which leaves no lapse for boredom. The illustrations are bright, simple and accompany the story at all the right moments. Scribble is hard not to like, and kids will flip through the pages again and again.
On the other side, this book teaches the basic structure of a plot. It gives a light-hearted example of how the basic story structure is laid out, and opens the door for class discussions.
Summed up, this is a clever book which kids as well as older readers are sure to enjoy.
And here she is. . .
Miri Leshem-Pelly is the author-illustrator of 14 children’s books. She’s also illustrated 14 books for other writers. When Miri isn’t writing she can be found speaking at schools, kindergartens and libraries. She is invited to do more than 200 presentations with her books per year. Miri is also a Regional Advisor for SCBWI (Society of Children’s book writers & illustrators). Miri’s works have won awards and her illustrations have been shown on several exhibitions. Miri lives in Israel with her husband and two children, and loves reading books and going on nature hikes.
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