The Boy Who Ate Words

by Thierry Dedieu, Julie Harris (Translator), Lory Frankel (Translator)

A boy searches for a language that will allow him to communicate.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

37 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 1996

Reviews

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat gnomic and perplexing but ultimately hopeful French picture book about, well, a boy who eats words. Gabby has a vexed relationship with language, and, perhaps, a tendency to overreact based on expectations, leading him through a lonely, absurdist childhood struggling to communicate. This could be heavy fare, but the bold, bright, minimalistic illustrations seek to reassure, even as their relationship to the text prompts questions rather than neat interpretations. Interesting stuff.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I often don't care for children's stories written by French authors. They always seem too...peculiar, and this one is no exception. However, I found myself liking this story of a boy who explores communication through words, gestures, body language, facial expressions, and with both human and non-human conversationalists. It's a fascinating concept. Unfortunately, the story ended abruptly and left me with a "huh?" I don't quite get why the story ends where it does. Maybe someone else can read it and tell me what the author was intending. Anyway, it gave me food for thought.

[Jay Bushara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging book. The boy of the title may be autistic, or he may be a construct, but the author has accomplished something rare in either case: he's made him sympathetic. And hopeful and heartbreaking. And unforgettable. Older readers might have an easier time following this, but the concept is pretty universal. Because which of us - young or old - hasn't at times felt completely overwhelmed by the power of words?

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confused by the ending because there is much potential here.