Young cousins Sheila, Gerald and Geraldine find themselves gobbled up by the books they begin reading. And the only way out is to read (and eat) as fast as they can.
Young cousins Sheila, Gerald and Geraldine find themselves gobbled up by the books they begin reading. And the only way out is to read (and eat) as fast as they can.
It began with Sheila. She sat down to devoured her first book and it slurped her instead. Then Shila’s cousin Gerald found himself gobbled, too. Lastly Gerald’s rather terrible twin sister, Geraldine, followed suit.
None of the cousins flew off to the same world after being eaten. But their particular booky world fit each of them to a T. (In fact, Geraldine’s book world involved a T. rex. And to tell you the truth, that big dino found her rather scary.)
For all of the questions that the books raised, though, and all of the adventures the book unfurled, there was one absolute truth: If the cousins were going to find a way out, they’d have to figure out how to eat as well as be eaten.
None.
The major belief in this tale is that reading a good book can be an extremely consuming pursuit. You just have to find the right book for you.
All of the kids are at their grandmother’s house. But they lose track of her and her world as they spiral into a literary “world of worlds.” And eventually they all find worlds that seem to be exactly where they belong: Sheila amidst a tale filled with wonderful questions, Gerald swept up in mystery and Geraldine in an untamed world.
No language or drugs. But you might say there is a teeny-tiny dash of peril. (Especially when Geraldine begins roaring.) The kids also begin devouring words and leaving only scraps behind.
None.
What is your favorite thing about a great story? Can you find yourself caught up in a story someone tells you? But is there something special about a book that spoken stories sometimes don’t have?
What’s your favorite kind of story or book? What do you think this book means when it talks about eating and being eaten by a book? Have you ever been eaten by a book? Which of the three cousins are you most like?
There’s no mention of God in this book. But is there something about hearing God’s and Jesus’ story that makes them feel more a part of your daily life?
Get free discussion questions for books at focusonthefamily.com/magazine/thriving-family-book-discussion-questions.
This kid’s book uses a combination of bright colors, ink drawings and cut-out art to give its pages an appealing splash. That presentation and this book’s light character-driven humor helps bring the joy of reading and imagination to life for young readers.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Review by Bob Hoose
