Day-Storms Studio

We Are in a Book! (Scholastic Inc, ISBN 978-1338714593) is in the series of Elephant & Piggie books, in which Spider-Man* and Bonecrusher* have recently taken interest (much to the dismay of dear ol’ Dad). This story, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book awardee, follows Gerald the elephant and Piggie (yes, a pig who apparently does not have a first name) as they discover they are the subject of the book being read.

The storyline itself is quite simple. Gerald and Piggie discover they are in the book being read by the reader. The plot then goes through various reactions and emotions that Gerald and Piggie have in being in a book. They realize the power that they have as characters within the story, such as getting the reader to say specific words.

Then, they realize that the book will come to an end. Gerald and Piggie begin to fret and worry about the end. (Yes, the allegory concerning the fleeting nature of life is not lost on me.) When will it end? Gerald even exclaims, “I have more to give!” Unlike most of us, Gerald and Piggie learn when their book will end, and the story concludes with a fairly optimistic, neutral ending without getting entangled into an unnecessary metaphysical or spiritual allegory.

The Elephant & Piggie Books series utilizes simplistic illustrations with a muted color scheme. These underwhelming illustrations, though, are surprisingly effective, and both of my sons like the pictures. The illustrations allow for the child reader’s imagination to expand.

My sons are too young to pick up on the meta nuances of the story per se… or the fact that parts of the story can feel borderline-stalker territory. For example, the characters in the story discussing how someone, ie, the reader, is watching them. Obviously, any allegory regarding the fleeting nature of life is also lost on them.

That being said, both Spider-Man and Bonecrusher love We Are in a Book! and the other Elephant & Piggie stories we have read to them. We do vary tones, volumes, and voices to help the story come alive, so that may also help with any shortcomings in the story itself.

These stories are catered to beginning readers. They utilize repetition and short sentences with sight-word caliber vocabulary so that children can learn to read along. This Dad does not particularly enjoy reading these books; however, since my sons like them and they are useful tools in learning to read, I tolerate them.

For this specific story within the series, with all being considered, it earns a solid three lightning bolts (out of five).

To read other reviews, please see our Reviews section.

Update (January 2023)

After taking a break for the holidays, I am back. I thought this post would be the perfect post to give a brief update on because Spider-Man and Bonecrusher received 4 volumes of collections of Elephant & Piggie stories over the holidays. These stories have encouraged Spider-Man (who is currently in kindergarten) to read…and to read to Bonecrusher (age 3). Almost every night, Spider-Man will read one of the Elephant & Piggie stories to Bonecrusher. I appreciate how these stories are spurring a love for reading.

Needless to say, the boys are now wanting Vol. 5…