The Nonsense Show

 The Nonsense Show

Written and illustrated by Eric Carl

Philomel Books, 2015, Ages 3-6

This book is about taking everyday things, and looking at them in a different way that is more silly. There are pages with illustrations showing a lion taming a human and a human in a doghouse while the dog is watching him. There is a different idea on each page showing nonsense and how that is typically incorrect. There are several different characters and animals that you will see throughout the story. This is a great book where children can laugh and find the different illustrations to be humorous. 

Eric Carl has a very descriptive writing style that helps tell the story very well. Without his disruptive words, it would be more difficult to see the humor throughout the story. An example from the book of his descriptive writing is when the author said, "Up-sy, down-ay, nice and strait. Smile a mile." You can then see in the pictures of how the words perfectly describe it. The author also uses a lot of communication between the characters in the book, which gives it more action and descriptions of the scenes. 

Eric Carl is the same author/illustrator that wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which I know of as a very well known book with its colorful and fun illustrations. Eric Carl uses a varsity of vibrant colors and a cut paper look to make his pictures. There are illustrations on each page of the book that really relate to the text and give a great image of what the story is saying. This is a great book where children can laugh and find the different illustrations to be humorous. 

I would recommend this book to a young audience, toddlers- early elementary age. I think it is a funny book that can get the children to giggle and they will also interact with the book. They can notice the humor easily and be able to correct it in their minds. I think this is a fun and easy read to read aloud to a class or for an older child to read to themselves. 

Reviewed by HT