Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis from Candlewick Press [Review & Giveaway-USA/CANADA]

My thoughts: Time to get down in the wee-little world of bugs and go through a life cycle with them. But this is not an "educational" book with facts and photographs. No! This is a cute, nonsensical story using a made-up language that is "bug-talk." So readers must prepare themselves for a bit of whimsical far-out fun as the bugs discover, build, lose, and  begin again. Let's go...

As the damselflies discover a tiny shoot unflurl they wonder, "Du iz tak?" (hmmm.... What is that?").  Another replies, "Ma nazoot." ("I don't know?") .... and on it goes.

Well, are you up to the challenge? Can you understand bug-speaks? I imagine it'll tangle your tongue a  it, but you'll be rolling with laughter with your kiddies by the last page when after the seasons roll around, snow has fallen, warmer weather arrives, and new shoots peek through the ground a new bug peers at them and...... "Du iz tak?"

Charming! Great illustrations that carry you through the seasons as the bugs get on with life - well, the life of a bug.

Candlewick Press has a page you can print and cut out for finger puppets. CLICK HERE

About the book: The creator of Home turns a droll eye to the natural world, with gorgeous art and a playful invented language.

Du iz tak? What is that? As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. When the plant grows taller and sprouts leaves, some young beetles arrive to gander, and soon—with the help of a pill bug named Icky—they wrangle a ladder and build a tree fort. But this is the wild world, after all, and something horrible is waiting to swoop down—booby voobeck!—only to be carried off in turn. Su! With exquisitely detailed illustrations and tragicomic flair, Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found in even the humblest backyard. Su!
GIVEAWAY
Candlewick Press is graciously providing 2 winners a copy each
Begins November 1
Ends November 22 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA & CANADA addresses
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and I was not compensated for this review. Giveaway copies are provided directly to the winners by Candlewick.

17 comments:

  1. What about wordless books? I like the wordless books so we can make our own stories.
    What about "made up" languages? I am not fond of made up languages.

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  2. (1) What did you discover about Carson Ellis? She was the illustrator of The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket
    (2) Another title by Carson Ellis that appeals to you. Home (Hardback)

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  3. Wordless books could help a child to invent his/her own tale. I don't like made up languages, they might confuse a child with delayed learning ability.

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  4. 1. We usually gear the way the story is told by the story itself.
    2. I have really never had experience with wordless books, but it sounds like an interesting way of getting a child to really think and be creative.
    3. We really haven't had much experience with "made-up" languages since the kids were toddlers. But I suppose it might be fun to make up one or more.

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  5. I love wordless books...they let my child read with his imagination. Haven't tried any made up language books yet! But I'm thinking this will be good for working on my child's phonetics.

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  6. 1. I discovered that Carson Ellis is the author-illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Home, her debut solo picture book.
    2. Home sounds like an excellent book.

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  7. My husband still has some made up words he uses from when he was a kid. We get a kick out of saying them every now and then. We're 45!

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  8. I do enjoy wordless books. I think they stretch the imagination.

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  9. I was already aware of Carson Ellis as a Decemberists fan and a fan of Colin Meloy's Wildwood series (including Carson's illustrations). I didn't know about some of the other books she had illustrated, though. I am interested in The Composer is Dead. Such an ambitious idea.

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  10. I can't even imagine trying to read this one or share it with my kids. My sister would probably love it though! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday last week on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

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  11. Wordless books are okay because they allow them to use their imagination. I don't like the made up language stuff though.

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  12. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family. I would like to check out her book Home.

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  13. Carson Ellis is an illustrator and he has also written a book called "Home."

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  14. https://www.facebook.com/steffany1985/posts/1167015973392542?pnref=story This is my share on Facebook for today. Got distracted and accidentally entered the wrong thing on the rafflecopter.

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  15. He wrote Home as well and it looks really good!

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  16. Books are such an amazing way to expose children to many things. My daughter has learned so much from reading!

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