I Will Not Read This Book by Cece Meng - ADVISABLE

Meng, Cece and Joy Ang I Will Not Read This Book, 32 pgs. Clarion Books, 2011. $16.99. PICTURE BOOK.

The little boy in this story has many excuses why he should not have to read the book in his hands. He has to floss, feed his fish, and scratch the tip of his nose. Not to mention reading is hard, and he's slow at it. So, no, he will NOT read this book, and you can't make him. Even if you hang him upside-down over a cliff...while tickling his feet...in a rainstorm...and on and on.

Each page lists the previous pages' ineffective torture devices, then adds one more, building and building, culminating in a very long list. The colorful illustrations and cute climax are a lot of fun, although the story becomes very repetitive. Many kids will identify with the protagonist's reluctance to read, especially considering his difficulties with it, and the title alone should elicit interest from the reluctant reading crowd.

EL - ADVISABLE. Caryn.