The Book of Rules: A Picture Book

by Brian Gehrlein, Tom Knight (Illustrator)

Overview

An interactive picture book with dynamic illustrations, in which readers have to follow the rules or risk a run-in with a monster—with a gentle approach to mindfulness along the way.

Beware! This book has rules. You must follow all the rules. If you break the rules . . . Dennis the monster will eat you. And you don’t want to be Dennis-food—do you?

With a laugh-out-loud, interactive style, The Book of Rules invites you to get your sillies out before it’s time to focus and listen to directions. And you better get started, because Dennis can’t wait to eat—or, um—meet you!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374314545
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	11/16/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	677,080
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD370L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Brian Gehrlein lives in Liberty, Missouri with his wife, Katherine, and their son, Peter. The Book of Rules is his first picture book. Brian does his best to follow the rules and has (so far) avoided being eaten. He hopes this trend continues.


Tom Knight is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Bone Soup; Good Knight, Bad Knight; and The Big Bed. He lives in England with his wife, Tabby, and their two sons, Archie and Seth.

Editorial Reviews

2023-2024 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Nominee

“This fills the bill for teachers or librarians looking for an active storytime choice . . . A guidebook that many kids won’t mind following.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2021-08-18
Rules will keep you safe from Dennis.

In this fourth-wall–busting story, readers learn immediately that “If you break the rules, Dennis will eat you.” The first question is, who is Dennis? Dennis is a large purple monster, not even slightly threatening, with a goofy smile and a “weird thing” on one foot. Enumerated rules commence, ranging from practical (“You must sit on the floor”) to silly (“You are now required to moo like a cow”) to mindful (“Keep your eyes closed. Feel your heartbeat. Feel the floor”). The six unnamed children shown on almost every page display a variety of skin tones and hairstyles. This fills the bill for teachers or librarians looking for an active storytime choice, though the 11th and final rule (“Feed Dennis…THE BOOK OF RULES”) is impossible to carry out, making for a confusing ending. Furthermore, the thread of preachiness throughout, complimenting children on following rules that often align with the behavior adults desire from them, means that some young people will see this as a transparent attempt to get them to follow instructions outside of the story. Still, for groups of kids who want an excuse to make fish faces and give themselves bear hugs, this will occupy several entertaining minutes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A guidebook that many kids won’t mind following. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews