Please Don't Read This Book

Smile

Smile – Raina Telgemeier

Julie:  At the beginning of the summer, my younger daughter (who is now 9) asked if we could buy Raina Telgemeier's graphic novel SMILE because a friend of hers had loved it.  I quickly obliged, in part because I'd seen good reviews.  My daughter read it right away--then read it again, and again, and again, and again.  Five times.  She read that book cover-to-cover, five times straight.  I could barely get her to take a break to eat.  Do either Mia or I need to say more?  Probably not.  We will, though, because this would be an awfully short post otherwise.  Mia, do you want to say a little about what SMILE is about and what you like about it?

Mia: SMILE is the story of Raina - a typical pre-teen girl whose time has come for braces. It's not something Raina is happy about, but things could be worse, right? And that's exactly what happens. While running back to her apartment Raina trips and falls, knocking her two front teeth out (she actually knocks one straight up into her dental cavity - ouch). What follows are several years of dental trials, including false teeth, dental surgery and, of course, braces. Through all this Raina finds that often so-called friends can be the cruelest.

Julie, let me take you back. Back to when I was...17, I think. And I had to get braces. As a teenager with a knack for exaggerating and over-dramatizing the stupidest things, I knew my life was over. My life as Queen Bee of high school was dead.

Just kidding. Me, Queen Bee? Not unless there was a zombie apocalypse. Point is, SMILE did manage to take me back - a bit to high school and the drama of friendships, but mostly to the pain. The pain of sitting in an orthodontist chair and having him tighten those braces. The pain of trying to sleep on your side when it feels like someone just punched you in the teeth. The pain of braces rubbing against the inside of your mouth until it's raw.

SMILE brought me back to all of that, and I was surprised I even remembered! Which sounds like I should hate SMILE because it made me remember the pain.  But I felt a strange kingship with Raina and her misfortunes.

J:  Oh, Mia. I'm so sorry about that pain!  I want to hurry over to you with Motrin and cold compresses!  And now I find myself reminiscing about pulled teeth, broken stitches, waking up with a face covered with blood, and that medieval device known as a palate expander, which involved turning a key to spread the bones at the top of my mouth.  Argh!  Why do we do this to ourselves (or, really, to our children)?  What I think SMILE captured even more brilliantly than dental tribulations, though, are the ways that seemingly well-meaning adults and family members can say exactly the wrong thing, and how we can realize over time that friends we've had for years and years are in fact simply wrong for us.  I love the depiction of the promise (and limitations) of a new school and of Raina's growth.  And, yes (I can't believe I'm saying this), the ending made me smile.  What do you think about the art, Mia?    

 

(Image by Raina Telgemeier)

M: I love your comments, Julie. They are so true. I'm fond of the art style. I think it complements the story very well without taking anything away. I think it's accessible to the particular age group, but I don't want that to sound like a backhanded compliment.  I think Telgemeier is a wonderful artist, and the story and artwork go hand in hand.  Does that make sense? 

J:  It does make sense.  I agree that the style of the art perfectly suits the target audience and the story.  And now I have to go return my daughter's book!  I'm under strict orders not to damage a single page.

M: A girl after my own heart.

 

Not Now, Bernard

Not Now, Bernard – David McKee

M: If you've read this blog before, you know that Julie and I have a tough time picking picture books. Julie is allergic to anything cutesy and fluffy. And I can't stand picture books with beautiful illustrations that are lax in the writing department. So you can imagine that we're often disappointed. And when we find something we both actually like, well, there should probably be a parade. When I suggested that we give NOT NOW, BERNARD a try, I was nervous. I only vaguely remembered reading it a few years ago for a Children's Lit class, and I was only pretty sure that I’d liked it.  All my worries were for naught!  I love NOT NOW, BERNARD. There is so much hidden in its deceptively simple story and language! 

A short summary first. When the story begins, Bernard has something very important to tell his parents. Namely, there's a monster in the backyard and it's going to eat him. Simple as that. First he approaches his father, who promptly says: "Not now, Bernard." Next his mother, who also says: "Not now, Bernard." What's a boy to do but face the monster himself? And...well, I guess revealing what happens next would be a spoiler, so I'll keep it to myself. Julie what did you like about this little gem?  

J:  I'm a sucker for picture books, like this one, that manage to pack a wallop using very few words.  I love that NOT NOW BERNARD can be read in two ways.  (Warning!  Saying something about the very spare plot now!)  Either the monster literally eats Bernard, or Bernard figuratively becomes a monster in response to his parents' behavior.  In fewer than 200 words, this book tells two stories and paints a thought-provoking psychological picture.  That is impressive!  I do have one concern, though.  I worry that the book might appeal more to adults than kids.  What do you think, Mia?

M: I actually think it's perfect for kids. Think about it! If your parents are ignoring you or not paying enough attention, you have literary backup regarding what can happen if they don't start.  Genius.  I can see it now:  "Mom, you have to listen to me because if not a monster will eat me. It's happened before. Here's a book to prove it."
Case closed.

J:  What do you think about the art?  I love the colors, and I think the facial expressions are fantastic. 

M: I love the art. It has such a cool feel to it. It's very much of its time but isn't held back because of that. Does that make sense?

J:  I agree!  I particularly love the TV dinner tray.

M: :)  That's all I have to say.