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Mondays with Mira: Review of Mac Barnett and Adam Rex's Guess Again!

9/15/2014

21 Comments

 
If you are a 21st century children's book lover or creator, a teacher or a parent, chances are you've heard of Mac Barnett. The man is a treasure trove of funny, irreverent, anarchic, reality-and-convention-challenging children's books. Just about anything he writes takes you on a wild ride of childlike wonder and delight by breaking the rules and defying accepted writerly behaviors. As a kid lit teacher, I love sharing his work as examples of wonderful writing that surprises and delights. On the surface these books are mostly just tremendous fun, although that's not to say he isn't tender, especially in books like Extra Yarn, but if you sit with his books, sometimes you start reflecting on what he's actually doing as a writer. From what I can tell, he's not writing stories with deep messages other than encouraging us to question assumptions, expect the unexpected, and make friends with your imagination. And in a way, this is a deeply important message, especially in a society that has come to rely more and more on standardized tests that teach kids that there is only one right answer. Sigh. The last thing we need these days in an increasingly complex society needing independent thinkers more than ever before.
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I think Mac B. a bit of a boy genius with books like this one below that play with the concept of prediction where kids yell out what they've been led to believe is coming next. Traditionally prediction has been seen as an important part of literacy learning but here Mac turns it on his head. In another favorite, Chloe and the Lion, he madly breaks all the rules by hijacking the story where the creators become characters in the story and show the collaborative process in the funniest warts and all way becoming a meta narrative about picture book story telling itself and the roles of writer and illustrator. Wow!! Heady. Hilarious.

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FYI, Deborah Hopkinson also does this  meta move (story about story making within another story) in another favorite book, Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, illustrated by the fabulous John Hendrix. So before I sign off with my video review (AKA slight love song to Mac Barnett) I want to acknowledge another super smart guy, Adam Rex, who illustrated both of these books. So here's the review. I hope that you enjoy this work as much as I do. Please I'd love to know if there are any other Mac Barnett fans out there or what you think and share if you think it might be helpful to others :)
21 Comments
Danielle Dufayet link
9/15/2014 01:27:50 am

Thanks for sharing, Mira. I agree...a wonderful and unique book. I'm going to get it today! Loved the giggling baby at the end.

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/16/2014 10:09:13 pm

Thank you Danielle for taking the time to comment. It's much appreciated and glad you liked the giggle. I'm getting ready to bump up the quality of the videos. Super excited.

Reply
Joanne Sher link
9/15/2014 03:17:29 am

Mira - this is one of my very FAVORITE picture books. Those two are absolutely, positively BRILLIANT. It was one of my first amazing finds when I started studying picture books seriously at the beginning of this year. It was the first picture book I bought on this journey. (been checking them out from the library) And everyone I've showed it to - young and old - LOVES it. And I laugh every single time I think of it, much less read it. Thank you!!

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/16/2014 10:10:18 pm

So lovely to see you here Joanne and thank you for commenting. I have the exact same response.

Reply
Virginia Rinkel link
9/15/2014 07:56:23 am

I really like Chloe and the Lion with all it's twists and turns, bringing to life the author and illustrator in ways everyone has wondered about when 'doing' a story. Have just checked out Guess Again. Thanks for sharing these two.

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:32:08 am

I'm so glad you enjoyed this Virginia. In the real world, authors and illustrators rarely meet when working on a book but this seems to be changing more and more. These guys probably submitted it as a package but who knows. They are both kinda mega starts in the kids book world.

Reply
Gideon Agware link
7/26/2021 03:20:39 am

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Reply
Christa von Zychlin
9/15/2014 11:18:47 am

Mondays with Mira is such a hoot! You are opening up worlds upon worlds for me in Children's lit. Especially here in China where there's an (ah-hem) tendency to teach through rote learning, I LOVE what this book does. Hilariously subversive.

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:33:16 am

Love it that you are a subversive thinker too! We sure need em.

Reply
Angela Padron link
9/16/2014 12:29:02 am

Both are children's book geniuses - thanks for these examples.

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:34:29 am

My pleasure Angela and thank you for commenting. I look forward to reviewing something super specia written and illustrated by you one day :)

Reply
Johnell DeWitt link
9/16/2014 01:47:17 am

Love it. It reminds me of the old Private Eye movie with Don Knotts and Tim Conway. The little poetic clues throughout end with a messed up rhyme.

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:35:23 am

Johnell, thank you for this. I'll have to find it and watch this now :)

Reply
Sheri McCrimmon
9/16/2014 03:47:52 am

Mira - love it when you read to us :). Fun, fun book!

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:36:58 am

Thank you Sheri, am so glad that you came into my life. Thank you for commenting. I've always been so self conscious of my Aussie expat accent. Guess it's not as bad as I think.

Reply
Debbie Best
9/16/2014 11:06:18 am

Mira, I really enjoyed Mac's fun and unpredictable book! The colorful illustrations were beautiful. I especially loved how they could change out from one page to the next. Thank you for sharing this! :)

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:39:42 am

Thank you for commenting Debbie. This is definitely one of my many favorite books. I love how it almost forces you to want to say the word even after you've cottoned on and know that it's a trick. That's good writing and art.

Reply
Alexia Andoni
9/17/2014 03:13:43 am

What a delightful, unique story. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 07:42:06 am

Thank YOU Alexia for commenting. It's a treat getting to share wonderful kid's books. <3

Reply
Charlotte Dixon
9/17/2014 06:02:24 am

Love Mac Barnett-always cheer and fun to perk up anyone :)

Reply
Mira Reisberg
9/17/2014 09:25:01 am

With you there Charlotte. He and Mo are so great at cheeky, irreverent story telling. Thank you for commenting.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome new bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with editor/art director, & CBA Director Mira Reisberg PhD who is handing her Mondays over to awesome former now tradtionally pubbed students to widen their audience.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

    3rd Mondays will feature
    Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.

    4th Mondays feature funny Aussie author Sharon Giltrow sharing awesome Aussie books.

    And 5th Mondays will feature Libyan American author Koloud Tarapolsi sharing wonderful diverse books.

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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
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    • 2021 Picture Book Palooza >
      • 2021 PB Palooza Contributor Bios
      • Palooza Prizes
    • 2020 PB Palooza Instant Access
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
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  • About Us
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    • Testimonials
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    • Privacy Policy
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  • Blogfish
  • Mighty Networks Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship