A Place to Read

by Leigh Hodgkinson

When I want to read,
what I really, really need,
is a place to sit . . .
just for a bit.

Somewhere comfy, NOT itchy-fuzzy, somewhere quiet, NOT buzz-buzzy.

The little reader in this book is having a hard time finding the ideal reading spot. Everywhere has noise, or smells, or is too hot or cold . . . and our reader finds himself with lots of company in each reading spot he considers.

But soon we discover the truth about reading books: A book is best anywhere . . . a book is best when you SHARE.

Join one small book lover's search for the perfect place to read in this beautifully illustrated picture book by the talented Leigh Hodgkinson.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Books About Books, Fiction, Animals, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Leigh is the author and illustrator of Goldilocks and Just the One Bear and illustrator of the Magical Mix-Ups series.

Leigh is an award-winning animator and worked as art director on the BAFTA-award winning animated series, Charlie and Lola.

She is also an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, who is absolutely passionate about writing, making things up and daydreaming. Among her many brilliant picture books is Don’t Dip Your Chips in Your Drink, Kate, written by Caryl Hart, which won Highly Commended in the 2010 Sheffield Children’s Book Award, Picture Book Category.

Leigh lives and works in Surrey and is married with a baby daughter.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the best place to read a book? So is the poignant question embedded within this book. Nowhere too hot or cold, loud or quiet, smooth or itchy. However, in the end, the perfect spot seems to be attainable, if only because it is the simplest choice. Neo likes to read on the couch or in bed, but he agrees that each person must find the spot that works best for them.

[Becky R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing book that emphasizes the joy of reading.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute, but fell a bit flat for me. It would be a great book to share with younger students early in the year. However, I expected it to go somewhere else, so the ending didn't quite match the build up of anticipation for me from the rest of the pages. That being said, I liked the fun of discovering the details in the illustrations, and how words were highlighted in the text in various ways adding to the visual impact of each page spread. A good message about sharing stories.

[Steve Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this out hunting for new books yesterday. It's a newer book that's very simple. The illustrations are nice to look at, and the text is minimal. It's about a child trying to find a place to read. Simple as that. I work with students through discussions and modeling about finding a comfortable place to escape into a book, and that it can be different for everyone, but it's important to find it for yourself. I'll use this as a read aloud for talking about it this year!

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up because Hodgkinson's art reminds me of Lauren Childs. That's cause or effect of being art director on Charlie and Lola.

I am kind of sad that the protagonist never found the perfect reading chair, because that's also my quest. Excellent ending regardless. Loved the expanding cast of critters wanting to hear a book.

Library copy

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is A Place To Read by Leigh Hodgkinson, a delightfully sweet story of the very relatable struggle of finding somewhere comfortable to read.

A little boy is ready to read; he’s got his book, and now he just needs to find the perfect spot. He tries chair after chair, but each one just doesn’t seem to fit his needs. One is too itchy, one is too squishy, one is too cold, one is too stinky. There are chairs in jungles and in the land of giants, even one that appears to not be a chair at all, but instead a chair-shaped monster! As the boy picks up a new animals companion from each chair and setting he tries, he looks around and realizes something: while finding the perfect place to read may be tough, there is a simple solution. After all, any place is the perfect place to read when you have friends to enjoy the story with!

Cute, colorful, and lots of fun! As appreciators of the perfect reading spot (ours is in JJ’s purple chair, with our reading buddy Mr. Dinosaur by her side, of course), we can relate to the boy’s desire to find a comfy-cozy spot to dive into his book. From there, there’s a fun jaunt through some fantastically detailed and whimsical illustrations, and an ending that was unexpected and sweet. The length is perfect for a quick read, and JJ really enjoyed it, especially the boy’s growing posse of animal friends. This one was fun, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I plan to use this with my primary classes talking about where and with whom we like to read.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Place to Read written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson, is a perfect read aloud to kick off readers workshop, a visit to the library, or as a delightful bedtime story! In the story, a young reader attempts to find just the right place to sit to enjoy his book. With rhyming text and cozy artwork, hodgkinson weaves a charming tale. Will the boy find the perfect spot for reading? Is that what really matters when reading a good book? Share A Place to Read with your readers to find out!

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a book, anywhere can be a place to read!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my life!!!!!

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are reading you need a place to sit. This child takes you on an adventure to find the perfect place to read. The lesson learned is "a book is best when you share." Good Read.

Quotes

But, it can't be far - SORRY, star!

Somewhere comfy. But NOT buzz - buzzy.

Some place brighter. WITHOUT these HOOTS.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do you like to read? Do you have a favorite spot or place? These are some of the questions that could be asked a young child after reading this book together.

I love the art work in this book - the chairs are amazing.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 1 out of 5]

According to the publisher's jacket copy, and also the blurb here on Goodreads....

But soon we discover the truth about reading books: A book is best anywhere . . . a book is best when you SHARE.

Excuse me. This is so untrue... for many readers.

Just look at book stats and friend stats here on Goodreads.

* Some folks read far more than they friend.
* Other folks friend far more than they read.
* Others go back and forth, until both stats are pretty much equal.

WHO IS RIGHT ABOUT THIS?

You're right, Goodreader. Your way is the right way for you.
And don't let anybody else should you about this very personal choice.

Personally, I am disgusted with a book that pushes today's big social-social narrative. You know what I mean: As if all the best people are "outgoing." If you're not, fake it.

INCIDENTALLY

As somebody who has spent most of my discretionary time, from age 5 until 18, alone and happily reading...

As an adult who has shaped her life since then so that I ALWAYS have plenty of time alone, for writing and reading and thinking and learning...

I am incredulous that the sappy, nameless, character in this book acts so fussy about where he or she sits in order to read. Since I was three years old, I've had assorted problems in life, but never once a big problem because a chair was itchy.

IN CONCLUSION

I wouldn't insult anybody I know by sharing this book with them.

[Jasmin Mohd-zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want this month [April 2021] to indulge in reading kid's books.

Since its April Fools month anyway so I can afford to be a ninnygoat :D hee hee. Didn't have much chance to read the big colorful hardcover books when I was a child, they were too expensive even for libraries to buy back then.

This is a minimalist book, not many words but plenty of things to talk about, if you read it with a child. I can see reading it with my grandkids and roaming around their house for a perfect place to share the book. Under a blanket in bed with a torchlight used to be my favourite ! ( you too? aawww....)

The text of the book is really good because the individual typeset made it easier to demonstrate what the feel of the word is ..slippy, soggy, cold etc. Illustrations were cute too.. this author was the animator on the award winning kids series "Charlie and Lola".

Share it with a child. You may be the one who enjoyed it more.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming book has a little boy sharing with readers the importance of finding a terrific reading spot. Lovely digital collage illustrations show him trying to settle into different types of chairs placed in different locations like the top of a tree, a polar ice cap, and on a lily pad, among other locales. This would be a good book to share at the beginning of the school year, when you're setting routines for reading at home and during Reader's Workshop time. You might use this as a mentor text to help kids write a description of their ideal reading spots.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a cute read, but I wouldn't say exceptional. A boy is looking for the perfect place to read, but discovers that it doesn't matter where you read, only that you're sharing the book with someone special. A cute ending, especially if it's a parent/caregiver reading one-on-one with a child. The typography changes on every page to match that pages theme (i.e. the "and not at all growly, itchy, fuzzy" page has a fuzzy looking font.) If a parent is reading it, it's fine, but some fonts might be hard for a child to read.

[Keyra Fitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a child finding the perfect place to read. I think that the story falls a bit flat, however I think it could be a great book to read with a new reader. It emphasizes the importance of reading and having a good place to read your book. I really enjoyed the illustrations within this book. There is an amazing use of texture on every spread, that immerses you in to each place the child is reading in. Overall, this is not a book I think I would find myself reaching for often, but I think it could be a good addition to a classroom library for new readers.

[aliyahrambely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children book but of course can be read by adults too! Too cute to handle. Too short and precise to be read. And it’s suitable for my mind that needs some book-space. I’m reading it with my cats! I love the content and also the cute illustrations.

This book is about a boy find his best place to read. He when all over the place but can’t find one. It seems like a tough task for him. Till one point he realised that,

𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘵, 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦.

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute...and with rhyme...double cute! With great illustrations (and facial expressions on the main character) this is the story of a boy trying to solve a simple but not-so-simple, task of finding a place to read. I can most definitely relate. Well, maybe not to a place that is "slippy, slimy", but I have my own version of "NO! to giant stomping boots". Oh, this book is fun and it makes me smile. :)
What is your favorite place to read?

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was another cute one that I read to prep for my library storytime. I didn't end up using it since the focus was more on the reading space and not on libraries. There's a lot of expressive illustrations and descriptive words, but it didn't stand out in the stack for me.

For: lovers of reading and books; readers wanting a book about the perfect reading place.

Possible red flags: potentially scary environments.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The thing is...
when I really want to read,
what I really
really need
is a place to sit...
just for a bit."

So starts this wonderfully illustrated book about a boy who is looking for the perfect place to sit while reading. He finds many places that don't work - like "up in a TREE (this is WAY too high for me!), until he discovers "a book is best anywhere... a book is best when you share." Done is rhyming text that is fun and rhythmic. Great for preschool!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young child is looking for a place to read quietly. It can't be fuzzy, or buzzy, or slimy or soggy. The stipulations for the perfect reading spot continue to increase when finally, the young boy realizes that it doesn't matter where the reading is done as long as he shares.

Children will enjoy closely examining each picture to see what can be found.

A solid storytime choice.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. The bit that really appealed was reading the book-within-a-book at the end.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does it take to find the perfect reading spot? This rhyming book explores all the places one could go to read, but it then reflects on the fact that location is secondary to a few other important factors.

It's quite the quick and fun read, and the art style is catchy without being too distracting.

[Efox · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband picked this gem up on a B&N run while on vacation. It's got beautiful illustrations and a cute story about a boy trying to find the perfect place to read before deciding that it isn't about the place it's about the stories and sharing them.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of another book, called "The Best Place to Read," though the ending is different.

For a "where to read" theme reading it would be fun to pair the two books.

Some of the illustration spreads are really fun, playing with nuances in color and texture.

Kids liked it.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy looking for the right place to read, gathers a collection of animals who also are looking for a good place to read. In the end, a communal story time proves to be the answer!

So a very simple story best suited for preschoolers. The art has that trendy over-stylized British look.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

bookaday #78. Cute story, perhaps to compare with the "Best Place to Read" series. Rhyming text, but the charm is in the illustrations that accumulate the previous place/person/animal in each spread. Be sure to read the book the child is reading on the last page!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The child in the story searches for the perfect place to read, but every chair has a problem of one sort or another. He finally decides that any place is a good place to read if you share your book with your friends.