Today, I need to write a book review for the book "I'd Really Like to Eat a Child." So I thought I would share the book with all of you and discuss my ideas. First of all, I think the title needs to win an award in itself. Every time I tell people the title of my book, everyone has a shocked look on their face. I think every single person has thought they heard me wrong. Yet, that really is the title of the book.
The book is about a young crocodile named Achilles who has bananas every day for breakfast. One day, he decides he would rather eat a child. His parents try to get him to eat sausage or even chocolate cake instead, yet he refuses. His parents grow concerned that he won't eat, while Achilles leaves to go on a swim. Down at the river, he comes across a girl, where he becomes excited at his opportunity to eat a child. Yet, when she sees him she is not scared at all. Instead she finds him cute, and even tickles his belly. Achilles returns home, determined to grow big enough to eat a child, by eating more bananas.
Overall, I found this book really cute and fun to read. There were also a few different themes I picked up on. One would be wanting to grow up too fast. I don't know about everyone else but when I was little I always wanted to be bigger and go to school, or do things older kids did. Achilles wanted to eat children and be bigger than what he really is. Yet, he learns (as well as I did), that it takes time to grow big enough to do certain things. Also, the book has the concept of "biting off more than you can chew," literally. Again, I have gone through the situation where I thought I could hand more, but turns out I couldn't. I think the book covers the aspect of growing up very well. It seems to be a great story for kids to relate to as they grow up.
This book is very friendly and the colors and cartoonesque pictures help convey that. Readers are brought into the story with bright yellow colors as the day has just begin. Achilles is obviously drawn smaller than everything else, to convey the idea the he is young and little. Every picture seems to be scribble like to convey the childish feel. As the story progresses it seems legit as the pictures become darker. The color hues move from yellow/white to pink/purple, to dark blue. It conveys the day turning into night through Achilles day. These artistic elements are crucial to the story as they convey feelings/emotions.
If it weren't for TE 348 I would have never tried to analyze childrens books as much as I do now. I now try to find underlying themes that are conveyed through characters or plot. I also now look into the artistic elements to see how they contribute to the story. I actually like the fact that I look deeper into these stories as I can see which ones are worthwhile. Overall I think the story of Achilles the crocodile is very worthwhile and fun for a growing child to read.
When you showed this book to us at work, the title definitely stuck out. I was like, who would title their book that? Is that really what it is about? But that's it. Anyone who reads the title of that book is going to be drawn in wondering if that is really what the idea of the book is, a crocodile wanting to eat a child. Now after reading your post and finding out more about the book, I think that it is really cute and it sounds like a really good children's book. I agree that after TE 348 I analyze children's books a lot more. I use to just read the book and know the general idea of it. But now I focus on the artistic display and elements, as well as the underlying themes. I too like that I look deeper into stories because then you know which books are worth keeping in the classroom and which ones are not.
ReplyDeleteI know, the title is very unique! But it really does fit with the story and I love the idea behind it!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! This book looks so adorable! I would love to introduce that story to the little girl I babysit for. She is in LOVE with crocodiles and alligators. I also find that when I look through children's books now, I too analyze everything! I can't even help it. I looved that class though. I wish I took the TE 448 one as well. Good luck with finals! and have a great break :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she would love this book then! I read it to the little girl I babysit for, at first she was scared by the title! But she ended up laughing through the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you too!
This is one of my favorite children's books. I read it to my son in Hebrew... and it's great to act out too.
ReplyDeleteI really disliked this book. It is highly disturbing. I am having a hard time understanding how people say it is cute. It is about a crocodile that wants to eat a child. He may be too small now, but when he grows up that is his intent. Very harsh. My review of the book can be found here http://teachingbabytoread.com/2010/08/18/book-review--id-really-like-to-eat-a-child.aspx
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