Published: 2022
Author: Shannon Hale
Illustrator: Tracy Subisak
Genres: Picture Books, Books About Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Juvenile, Gender Roles, Anthropomorphic
Audience (Grade Levels): Elementary / Pre-K to Grade 3
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: This Book Is Not for You!
Triggers: None (Deals with gatekeeping/stereotyping in a comedic manner)
Review By: Mary Beth Cavalieri
Publisher’s Summary:
From New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor–winning author Shannon Hale and award-winning illustrator Tracy Subisak, comes a zany picture book that pokes fun at overly gendered notions of “boy books” and “girl books” and celebrates the pleasure of a good book.
Stanley’s thrilled for bookmobile day—until the old man at the window refuses to lend him the story he wants, all because it features a girl. “Girl books” are only for girls, the book man insists, just like cat books are only for cats and robot books are only for robots. But when a dinosaur arrives at the bookmobile and successfully demands a book about ponies, Stanley musters the courage to ask for the tale he really wants—about a girl adventurer fighting pirates on the open seas. By speaking up, Stanley inspires the people, cats, robots, and goats around him to read more stories outside their experiences and enjoy the pleasure of a good book of their choosing.
Review:
This is a super cute book, especially for the kids in your life who may struggle to find the perfect book. I really loved the illustrations, and the idea of a bookmobile lends itself to a great discussion of past practices of libraries. I think this book could also be a good starting point for how to find a good-fit book in the library, and how we choose books that interest us. It speaks to diversity and choice.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Media Literacy & Library Skills: Serves as a fantastic introductory anchor text at the beginning of the school year to establish library guidelines centered on reader autonomy, teaching students how to seek out “good-fit books” based on personal interest rather than arbitrary labels.
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Highly effective for lessons on self-advocacy, speaking up against unfair constraints, and building the courage to express individual preferences in the face of peer or adult gatekeeping.
- Social Studies (Community & Library History): The bookmobile setting offers a great historical entry point to discuss the history of public libraries, checking out books, and how mobile libraries traditionally served (and continue to serve) rural or underrepresented communities.
Extension Activity / Library Application:
- The “Unlabeled” Book Tasting: To combat the gendered or rigid reading stereotypes poked fun at in the text, host a library “Book Tasting.” Wrap various fiction books in brown paper, leaving only a short, exciting bulleted list of themes (e.g., Pirates, High Seas, Adventure or Ponies, Magic, Friendship). Have students select books based purely on interest, proving that any book can be for any reader.
- Design Your Own Dream Bookmobile: Capitalizing on the story’s vehicle setting, have students sketch or color a template of their own custom bookmobile. Ask them to decide who their target audience is (e.g., deep-sea divers, space travelers, or neighborhood cats) and list three diverse titles they would stock to ensure everyone feels welcome.
Diversity & Representation:
Illustrated by award-winning creator Tracy Subisak, this zany, anthropomorphic story addresses gender equity, inclusivity, and identity with a light, humorous touch. By showing a diverse array of humans, animals, and robots breaking out of their assigned reading categories, the book actively deconstructs patriarchal and limiting binary concepts of “boy books” and “girl books.” It promotes an equitable framework where the joy of literacy belongs unconditionally to everyone.
Readalikes:
- The Library Book by Tom Chapin
- Book’s Big Adventure by Leila Boukarim
- Born to Read by Judy Sierra
