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Don't Blink! #2
Don't Tell!
Once again Tom Booth, author of Don't Blink!, breaks the fourth wall to delight and entice readers young and old in this sweet and funny, experiential picture book.
How did you find this book? Don't you know this book is a secret book?
Readers will delight in being asked how they found this book. Did Monkey tell? Was it Owl? Giraffe?
Maybe the animal who "told" would rather share than keep a secret. Especially when sharing a book as good as this one makes him so happy!
How did you find this book? Don't you know this book is a secret book?
Readers will delight in being asked how they found this book. Did Monkey tell? Was it Owl? Giraffe?
Maybe the animal who "told" would rather share than keep a secret. Especially when sharing a book as good as this one makes him so happy!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2018
1 person is currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Tom Booth
32 books21 followersArt director by day and author-illustrator by night, Tom Booth is a maker of acclaimed children’s books, including Don't Blink!, This Is Christmas, and Who Wins? He made his earliest marks — sometimes on his parents’ antique kitchen table — growing up in Pennsylvania. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, he is currently at work on several children’s books on a table all his own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 2, 2019
Neo thought that this would be a great story to read together, choosing to take the lead. The reader discovers early on that this is a super-secret book, one that the animals in the story have been trying to keep under wraps. One by one, the secret spiller is sought and has to be discovered. As the story moves along, some new truths come to light and a decision is made... read it to find out. Neo liked the story, even if it was a little silly. He promises to keep the story secret, but thinks that many people would love it with their young reader.
May 11, 2023
Can you keep a secret... This book is awesome! But also a secret.... This super cute story follows a group of friends trying to figure out who told the reader about this super awesome, super secret book! Only to find out, they have a friend who LOVES to tell secrets... -Alyssa C.
April 23, 2019
Author/illustrator Tom Booth, whose
Don't Blink!
broke the fourth wall in amusing ways, returns to the same cast of characters - a young girl and her animal friends - in this follow-up work of picture-book metafiction. As girl and animals wonder who it was that gave away the secret of the book's existence to the reader, an elephant named Harvey approaches. It soon becomes clear who the guilty party is...
Like its predecessor, Don't Tell! is an entertaining book, one that, with its back-and-froth dialogue text, and its appealing artwork, would make an excellent read-aloud selection at story-time. I particularly appreciated the way that Booth handled the issue of secrets - that sometimes you keep them and sometimes you don't - and that he included a brief note at the beginning about the importance of not keeping secrets, if they are harmful. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed Don't Blink! , as well as to those seeking more meta-fictional picture-book fare.
Like its predecessor, Don't Tell! is an entertaining book, one that, with its back-and-froth dialogue text, and its appealing artwork, would make an excellent read-aloud selection at story-time. I particularly appreciated the way that Booth handled the issue of secrets - that sometimes you keep them and sometimes you don't - and that he included a brief note at the beginning about the importance of not keeping secrets, if they are harmful. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed Don't Blink! , as well as to those seeking more meta-fictional picture-book fare.
June 7, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Don’t Tell! by Tom Booth, the sequel to the delightful Don’t Blink!.
The little girl and her animal friends from the first book are back, but really, they’re surprised to see YOU here. See, this book was supposed to be a secret! Who told you about this super-secret book? The girl asks her friends Bird and Fox as they stop by – Fox thinks it may have been Monkey, but Monkey and Owl deny spilling the beans when they show up. More animals arrive, all insisting that they were not the one who blabbed. And then, Harvey the elephant appears and, well… Harvey has a confession to make…
Very cute. Once again, the fourth-wall breaking, dialogue-exclusive narrative is just right for reading aloud, featuring plenty of opportunities for children to interact with the characters, and plenty of different character voices and melodramatic text for readers to have fun with. The length is good, and JJ loved all the animals and the big climatic speech. There isn’t a grand lesson – the girl and animals quickly forgive Harvey for telling, then all run off together to share the news of their super-secret book with more friends – but that’s honestly fine. This is just a purely enjoyable book for any little reader, and we loved it. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
November 16, 2023
This book’s plot is that it is a super secret book that was supposed to be kept from you, the reader, and yet you found out so all the animals band together to know who let the cat out of the bag (pardon the pun). I won’t spoil it but I love meta books like these and daughter loved animals so win-win.
February 14, 2018
The illustrations feel a bit graphically-enhanced and could have felt a bit more fun if there was a different medium used, but the message of the story is sometimes you tell a secret (and in this case, dear reader, the secret is about the book itself) and the posse of animals that readers meet as they try and discover who told their secret.
May 1, 2023
Can you keep a secret... This book is awesome! But also a secret.... This super cute story follows a group of friends trying to figure out who told the reader about this super awesome, super secret book! Only to find out, they have a friend who LOVES to tell secrets...
January 28, 2019
Secret?!?!? Wait, I want to know about this secret story!! A little girl and her animal friends are asking me how I found this book? They tell me it's a secret and I am not supposed to know about it. Uh-oh! They begin to blame other animals in the forest for leaking the news. They are sure it was monkey and then owl, on to frog, pig, giraffe and then bear. All of them denying any part in telling the reader about this secret book. That leaves them perplexed as to who blabbed. Hmmmmm.... Elephant arrives anxiously awaiting to tell all the other animals and the little girl a SECRET!! They tell Elephant they are not interested because they are trying to solve the mystery of who told US about this story. Harvey the Elephant gets nervous and is reluctant to share but he's the one who told us about this super cool story. He feels bad for telling the secret but the others go on to make him feel better and quickly forgive him as they can relate to the feeling of not keeping a secret either.
This family friendly picture book will keep everyone involved with the anticipation of what is to come next. This would be appropriate for young children who love animals and with repetition of the story will learn to anticipate what is coming next. On the first read, it fills them with wonder and curiosity. The language is simple, and it speaks directly to the reader. You can easily read the emotion on the animal's faces and feel connected to the characters. The events in this story will allow to further your discussion with your Pre-K child about sharing secrets. The words connect to the illustrations to allow for easy understanding of the text.
This family friendly picture book will keep everyone involved with the anticipation of what is to come next. This would be appropriate for young children who love animals and with repetition of the story will learn to anticipate what is coming next. On the first read, it fills them with wonder and curiosity. The language is simple, and it speaks directly to the reader. You can easily read the emotion on the animal's faces and feel connected to the characters. The events in this story will allow to further your discussion with your Pre-K child about sharing secrets. The words connect to the illustrations to allow for easy understanding of the text.
October 7, 2019
Don’t tell is a story about a girl and multiple different animals in the forest. The book starts off with the girl asking how the reader found out about this secret book they are currently reading. The girl asks the monkey who then asks the fox and then asks other animals. They are all trying to find out who told the secret and then they talk to Harvey, the elephant, who admits he told the secret. Harvey gets embarrassed but his friends quickly forgive him and remind Harvey that sometimes we all share secrets.
The overall theme for Don’t Tell is the importance of being able to forgive others. This book also dwells on the theme of secrets being hard to keep and secrets aren’t the best things to start or have. Secrets are hard to keep and everyone has shared a secret or two.
When I read this book, I associated with Harvey. Growing up I found it very hard to keep secrets because I want to tell the people I loved the new information I had just learned. The girl in this book made me very happy because she supported Harvey and made all the other animals forgive him.
I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches children to forgive others and to not have secrets. This is a very valuable lesson to kids because children love sharing secrets and often get frustrated when they are shared. I believe that children can associate with Harvey and understand that they need to forgive others like Harvey’s friends did. The reader also feels special knowing the secret of the book. This book is very short and easy to read before bed.
The overall theme for Don’t Tell is the importance of being able to forgive others. This book also dwells on the theme of secrets being hard to keep and secrets aren’t the best things to start or have. Secrets are hard to keep and everyone has shared a secret or two.
When I read this book, I associated with Harvey. Growing up I found it very hard to keep secrets because I want to tell the people I loved the new information I had just learned. The girl in this book made me very happy because she supported Harvey and made all the other animals forgive him.
I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches children to forgive others and to not have secrets. This is a very valuable lesson to kids because children love sharing secrets and often get frustrated when they are shared. I believe that children can associate with Harvey and understand that they need to forgive others like Harvey’s friends did. The reader also feels special knowing the secret of the book. This book is very short and easy to read before bed.
October 1, 2019
Don't tell is a delightful "secret book", a kid finds the book and animals try and figure out who told the secret of the secret book. Readers will delight in being asked to guess who shared the secret. Did moneky do it? Was it Owl? the animal who told was the elephant, who would rather share the secret than keep a secret. The animal's tone shifted throughout the book when they found out who spilled the beans about the secret book. The theme of this story, is sometimes things do not need to be secret, and it is okay if everyone knows and feels included about things. I gave this book 4 stars, it is easy to read and can be very exciting and engaging for a younger audience. As the book goes on more animals are introduced. Children can be engaged and guess who told the secret with each page, and also learn animals along the way. I was really interested in animals as a younger child, so this book would have been very appealing to me.
January 11, 2019
I read this in Dutch, but it’s not added yet so I’ll do that later.
Storywise there’s not much happening. It’s about sharing secrets and that at times it’s not so bad to share them. It’s for kids obviously, and the idea is to not keep secrets of course, and this book quickly forgives Harry/Harvey for spilling the beans and decide to go and tell everyone about the secret book. So storywise it’s a 2-3 stars, I’m giving it 4 however because I am in LOVE with the art. Some might argue it looks too digital, but I just loved it. Like, I want to buy it and look at it forever loved it. At first glance a lot of it looks the same each page, but there are tiny little changes that subtly change the expressions of the animals.
Storywise there’s not much happening. It’s about sharing secrets and that at times it’s not so bad to share them. It’s for kids obviously, and the idea is to not keep secrets of course, and this book quickly forgives Harry/Harvey for spilling the beans and decide to go and tell everyone about the secret book. So storywise it’s a 2-3 stars, I’m giving it 4 however because I am in LOVE with the art. Some might argue it looks too digital, but I just loved it. Like, I want to buy it and look at it forever loved it. At first glance a lot of it looks the same each page, but there are tiny little changes that subtly change the expressions of the animals.
December 13, 2018
A series of characters ask the reader how they found about the “secret” book they are reading. When elephant shows up, it becomes clear who spilled the beans. His friends quickly forgive him when he explains it is more fun to share a secret than keep one. Fans of Booth’s Don’t Blink will find a similar writing style and the same style of wide-eyed digital illustration. Recommended for preschool collections.
October 21, 2025
An investigation is underway to determine who shared the secret about how this secret book was found. There is always someone who would rather share a secret than keep one. The Author's Note reminds the parents to talk to children about how to judge the difference between secrets that are harmless and those that should be shared with a caregiver or teacher.
October 22, 2018
What a winner! This picture book is as cute as it is hilarious. I really identify with the secret spilling elephant. I love how interactive the story is and how the characters talk straight to the audience!
August 14, 2018
Loved the interaction with the reader! And the illustrations are amazing! Very engaging.
October 8, 2018
Adorable illustrations and might be a great way to open a dialogue with a child who is reluctant to tell you something
December 14, 2018
This would probably work for a preschool storytime on Secrets--which is a little big abstract of a concept but could be fun.
January 31, 2019
Definitely fun but for a little older crowd.
March 30, 2022
Love this! When the Elephant blushes it's so cute! ☺️
July 16, 2018
Harvey the elephant feels guilty about not being able to keep a secret, especially one related to this book. But even though the characters are surprised that the secret has not been kept, they eventually admit that each of them has shared a secret with someone at times. After all, sometimes it's more fun to share a secret than to keep it. I liked the expression on Harvey's face in the last illustration, showing that he is ready to spill all. The illustrations were created with ink, graphite, charcoal, and gouache, then scanned and redrawn on the computer. Because of the concern that the wrong message might be delivered through the book's title, there is an author's note discussing the difference between secrets that cause no harm and those that need to be revealed to others. I'm sure the author went back and forth about this title because of that possible problem, but there really is no better title for it. Some young readers may enjoy the story because it represents experiences most of them have had in which someone told them a secret and they shared it with someone else who shared it with someone else.
January 25, 2019
Someone has told a secret and the female-human character is asking all the animals who did it. Luckily, everyone is understanding and forgiving and the secret-spiller is filled with remorse.
BUT, things don't always work out this way - with a forgiving ending - in everyday life!!!
After reading the author's note, I must say I truly don't like this book at all. I would not recommend it.
The author has actually added an Author's Note:
"Many children tell and keep secrets with and from friends and relatives,
and most of the time, this activity is innocent and safe, as is portrayed in this book.
However, it is important for adults to talk to children about how to judge the difference between
secrets that are harmless and those that should be shared with a caregiver or teacher."
Not just this, author! How about when best/good friends share a secret and one of them tells the secret to others! This can be the end of a good friendship, especially for young children.
BUT, things don't always work out this way - with a forgiving ending - in everyday life!!!
After reading the author's note, I must say I truly don't like this book at all. I would not recommend it.
The author has actually added an Author's Note:
"Many children tell and keep secrets with and from friends and relatives,
and most of the time, this activity is innocent and safe, as is portrayed in this book.
However, it is important for adults to talk to children about how to judge the difference between
secrets that are harmless and those that should be shared with a caregiver or teacher."
Not just this, author! How about when best/good friends share a secret and one of them tells the secret to others! This can be the end of a good friendship, especially for young children.
September 18, 2018
A companion to "Don't Blink," this picture book starring some of the same characters will tickle young readers' funny bones. The story starts off with a girl asking the reader how they found the book since its existence is super secret. A variety of animals join her, accusing their friends of blabbing and then denying they did so. Finally Harvey the elephant shows up and sheepishly confesses to sharing the secret; everyone else comforts him and lets him know that they have also shared secrets with friends and family before. The format works better as a one-on-one read, rather than a whole class read aloud, and the ending falls a little flat. Not as strong as "Don't Blink," but kids will enjoy it.
November 6, 2018
The latest in the trend of interactive picture books breaking the 4th wall. I'm not positive this one does it so well - seems very middle of the pack. The artwork is reminiscent of a Pixar film - the feel is very CG rather than illustrated, not my preference, but well done. There's an author's note at the beginning encouraging adults to talk to kids about judging which secrets are harmless and which need to be shared that I was glad to see included.
July 6, 2018
Is there a score lower than one? Sadly, this book has no story, no action and most importantly has a questionable ending. It is okay to tell a secret? Yes, bad secretes but "good secrets" should be kept. I will follow the books title and I promise I won't be telling anyone about this book. Your secret is safe with me.
November 30, 2018
Apparently no one is supposed to know about this super secret book. So how did the reader find out about it? It's a mystery. No one admits to telling the reader about the book. Then Harvey the elephant shows up asking if anyone wants to hear a secret. Well, the secret's out now. Elephant can't keep a secret! That's okay, everyone admits to telling their friends and family a secret now and then.
March 26, 2022
I loved the artwork of this book and thought the characters were totally adorable.
So I'm not one for secrets in our family, so I'm not sure if I like the idea of don't tell even though at the end it's the opposite I still don't know if I want to be teaching that to my children about not telling and keeping secrets it's one thing to keep a surprise it's another thing to do secrets...
So I'm not one for secrets in our family, so I'm not sure if I like the idea of don't tell even though at the end it's the opposite I still don't know if I want to be teaching that to my children about not telling and keeping secrets it's one thing to keep a surprise it's another thing to do secrets...
July 18, 2018
I don't know about this one. It is unusual that I feel sort of meh about a picture book, but this is one of those. I just wasn't sold on the story. I can see how it is usually okay to tell a secret (as this book is saying) but I don't know, it just didn't seem like one I would like to read aloud.
August 22, 2018
Some really cute characters and I enjoy how the font color is used to convey who is speaking, but I wish it had a better message about keeping secrets and what secrets should be kept and which ones can be told.
November 1, 2020
I...never thought I would find a picture book to give a low review to, but here we are. All the stars are going to the illustrations, because they are perfect, but the book itself is pretty much pointless.
January 8, 2018
The same cast from Don't Blink…this book is all about secrets.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews