The Book That Kibo Wrote

by Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Author)

The Book That Kibo Wrote
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

One night under the acacia trees, Kibo writes a story about home. His neighbor Naki reads his words, binds them into a book, and brings it to the city. There Camilo devours Kibo's story, remembering his childhood in the savannah. The next day he shares the book and his memories with his friend Simon. Soon Simon starts writing new songs about distant lands. Where will Kibo's book go next, and what will it spark for its next reader?

Featuring a charming cast of animal characters, The Book that Kibo Wrote showcases the power of stories to connect readers across the globe.

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Hardcover
$17.99

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Digital illustrations in a bold palette follow the creation and subsequent journey of a story written by a rhino named Kibo who captures the rich sensory details of his home on the savanna. Kibo's yellow book travels from reader to reader and goes from settings rural to urban to the Arctic sharing not only the power of reading but also the delights of sharing a book with others. The final spread features a polar bear basking in the warm sun of the savanna as icebergs, whales, and falling snow surround him. For a classroom lesson about the power of reading and a good book to transport readers no matter where they are, this title will have children considering their own stories and settings. VERDICT The trifecta of reading, writing, and sharing at the heart of this visually engaging title becomes transformative. Highly recommended.--John Scott

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Booklist
"While it ends somewhat abruptly, this overall delightful story, translated from the original Spanish, celebrates discovering joy in books—and sharing the experience with others."

The Wall Street Journal
"This gentle story shows not only the value of a singular vision, whether belonging to a rhino or anyone else, but also the wisdom of putting it on paper." 

The Horn Book Magazine
"Satisfying in itself, this book will also find a happy home in classrooms and serve as a springboard for young bookmakers' creative endeavors."
Mariana Ruiz Johnson
Mariana Ruiz Johnson is the daughter of two book illustrators. After graduating from art school, she decided to pursue an illustration career as well. She lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780802855893
Lexile Measure
740
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publication date
April 26, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV047000 - Juvenile Fiction | Books & Libraries
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV030010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Africa
JUV002330 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Hippos & Rhinos
Library of Congress categories
Animals
Picture books
Books and reading
Authorship
Rhinoceroses
JUVENILE FICTION / Books & Libraries
JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Africa

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