The Incredible Book Eating Boy
on Goodreads (7,698)
What’s inside...
Henry, a young boy who loves books, has an unusual way of enjoying them: he eats them instead of reading. His favorite color of book to consume is red, and he believes that eating books is making him smarter. However, as he devours more and more books, he starts to feel ill and the jumbled information inside him becomes undigestable. Faced with this dilemma, Henry must discover a new way to appreciate books without using his teeth. Oliver Jeffers' picture book features a unique artistic style and a die-cut surprise, celebrating the joys of reading in a humorous and creative manner.
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Henry
Discussion points
Why do you think the boy in the story likes to eat books? What might he be trying to achieve?
How does the boy feel when he realizes eating books is making him sick? Can you relate to a time when something you loved doing became too much?
What changes does the boy make to solve his problem? What would you have done in his situation?
What did the boy learn from his experience? How do you learn best from your experiences?
Can you think of other ways the boy could enjoy books without eating them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and emotions about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of moderation and balance, using the boy’s experience as a reference point.
Explore alternative solutions together, discussing different outcomes to the boy’s problem.
Prompt your child to think about the value of books and knowledge, extending the conversation beyond the story.
Use the book as a springboard to discuss healthy habits and the importance of taking care of oneself.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of moderation
Explanation: The protagonist, Henry, discovers that excessive consumption, even of books, can have negative consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to balance their interests, such as screen time or sweets, to avoid negative outcomes.
Example Lesson: Learning through diverse methods
Explanation: After facing problems from eating books, Henry learns he can gain knowledge by reading them instead.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore different methods of learning, understanding that reading and listening are viable alternatives to experiential learning.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Henry experiments with different ways to absorb knowledge before realizing reading is most effective for him.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to try different solutions to problems and not give up when initially faced with difficulty.
Example Lesson: Acknowledging mistakes
Explanation: Henry initially makes poor choices by eating books but eventually recognizes his mistakes and corrects his behavior.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of admitting when they're wrong and learning from their mistakes to make better choices in the future.