Have I Got A Book For You! (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
A sly salesmen tries to convince the reader that he has got a book for you! Many advertising gimmicks are clearly described and elementary school students will be able to see through Mr. Al Foxwood's advertisement. I plan to use this with my lovely 3rd graders to kick off our first extended unit of the year. The learn to be an Library Media Specialist -- they interview a friend about book preferences, search the catalog, locate a book, and create a bookmark to recommend the book they select. This should be a great and engaging opening. I adore Melanie Watt. When a friend of mine introduced me to her Scaredy Squirrel series of books and to Chester, I fell in love. Even though, at that point, I was in my late twenties, closer to thirty than I am to six-years-old, I couldn’t help falling for the cute little squirrel, or the big, fat cat — Watt’s stories and drawings are unique, fun, and full of colour.Have I Got A Book For You! may not be my favourite book by Watt, but it definitely has the Watt charm. It’s full of humour and sticks to the point throughout the whole book. You can’t help but laugh as the narrator, Mr. Al Foxword, tries to sell you a book, this book, in fact.The book reads like an infomercial, which is great, as Mr. Al Foxword hits every angle, tries every attempt to sell you, the reader, the book. Could this be an introduction for children to what goes on in the real world and the inner workings of real-life salespeople? Perhaps. In fact, the book itself doesn’t read too much like a story, so younger audiences may not quite get it, but anyone who has seen a commercial on TV would understand what’s going on.If you love Melanie Watt, you’ll like this book. Sure, it’s not the best book she’s written — especially after reading some of her other works, but it’s still a great and fun read.
What do You think about Have I Got A Book For You! (2009)?
A great way to introduce persuasive writing. It's a sales man selling you this very book. Cute.
—samantha
Brilliant picture book on advertising techniques. A must for the English teacher in your life.
—julius
