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Don't Read This Book!
The King is about to star in a brand new story but - wait a minute! What's this? The story has disappeared! You'd better go and do something else instead...What? You're still here? Well, then you'll see the King frantically galloping through Storyland to piece together the fragments of his story, with some very unlikely interventions (and help) and some very familiar faces doing some very unfamiliar things.And look out for the pea. He's the real star of this show!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 21, 2019
This book is brilliant for introducing KS1 and lower KS2 to story writing and how story writers have to use a process to write their stories. I loved the illustrations within the book and the adventure the king takes you on. I especially like how the book reminds or introduces the audience of all of the different fairytales throughout. It would be great as a platform for a the popular topic of fairy tales.
October 21, 2019
This book followed an unusual narrative plot which introduces the reader to the process of writing a story. Along the way Lewis has included reference to other famous fairytales, for example, red riding hood and the princess and the pea, which allows children to create links between stories. The book also breaks the ‘fourth wall’ and talks directly to the reader repeatedly telling them to stop reading the book. I like the way this book could make children feel excited by continuing to read even though they have been told not to.
January 23, 2013
The catchy title of this book instantly makes you want to the book because it warns you NOT to read it and this makes the reader excited and curious and want to discover WHY???!!!! The book is about an ill-tempered King, who wants to write his own story so he hires a story writer to write him a story. The story uses reverse psychology because the king encourages readers to keep turning the pages by telling them not to. The King also directly speaks to the readers commanding them to not read any further. This makes the readers excited and for some children a sense of disbelief that a character in the story is actually talking to them! During the story, the story writer loses some his notes and the story is unfinished. The pair gallop through fairy tale lands to search for the lost notes, running into traditional characters such as, a giant and his beanstalk, little red riding hood’s grandmother’s house, a gingerbread man and a pea! The story ends with the King’s own story called the ‘Princess and a Pea.' In this story there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess. One stormy evening, a girl knocked on the door and claimed to be a real princess. The King and the Queen decided to let her stay and the Queen decided to test if she was a real princess by placing a pea under twenty mattresses and ordered the princess to sleep on top of the twenty mattresses. The next day, they asked the princess how she slept and she said that she couldn't sleep because there was something under her bed. They then discovered she was a real princess because only a true princess could be this sensitive. The prince and princess then got married!
I really enjoyed reading this book because I loved the title and the fact that the king was talking directly to the readers and involving them in the story. I think I was as excited as the children in turning the pages and wanting to read on. I also really liked the fact that the story used traditional characters that the children were familiar with. The fact that the story writer is writing the story as we read on also makes the story interesting and different from any other stories I have read. This book is suitable for Key Stage 1 children and can be used in the classroom during literacy, where the pupils’ can use adjectives and connectives to describe the appearance of the king or his personality. The story can also be used for Storytelling as pupils’ can retell the stories of the other traditional tales and therefore enhance their speaking and listening skills. This is an excellent book and I would recommend reading this book!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book because I loved the title and the fact that the king was talking directly to the readers and involving them in the story. I think I was as excited as the children in turning the pages and wanting to read on. I also really liked the fact that the story used traditional characters that the children were familiar with. The fact that the story writer is writing the story as we read on also makes the story interesting and different from any other stories I have read. This book is suitable for Key Stage 1 children and can be used in the classroom during literacy, where the pupils’ can use adjectives and connectives to describe the appearance of the king or his personality. The story can also be used for Storytelling as pupils’ can retell the stories of the other traditional tales and therefore enhance their speaking and listening skills. This is an excellent book and I would recommend reading this book!!!
April 2, 2013
I really love books that play with the convention. Mixing up fairy-tales, seeing the story from a different perspective, pushing well known characters into very unfamiliar and uncomfortable scenarios is something I really fancy. This book had the potential to be a perfect example on how to turn a well know story into a totally new adventure and I feel like the idea and it's potential had not been fully used. The book might be a bit too hard for a kid - children don't really understand the humor of breaking the convention because they are not familiar with it enough, when adults need a bit more then what was given here to really enjoy it. I nevertheless really liked the illustration, the title and the idea. I just think it could be much more then it is.
July 30, 2017
In this story, a king and his writer are trying to write a story. The King keeps yelling at the reader to stop reading this book. It switches back and forth between, narrating, having the King talkto the reader, the king and writer talking, and the story the writer is creating. While that seems like a lot it really isn't confusing and ends up being a silly story that is entertaining. Different fairy tale characters pop up throughout the story and kids should like seeing them. I'm trying to enjoy books where they break the fourth wall and this is one of my favorites yet.
Good to use as a fractured fairy tale too.
Good to use as a fractured fairy tale too.
September 24, 2017
This book was recommended by the librarian. I found the story really cute and easy to read aloud to my two littles.
The tale leant itself to silly voices and a smooth reading session as there were breaks for taking a breath of grabbing a drink of water for the person reading aloud.
My two littles also liked the story.
I would check it out again.
The tale leant itself to silly voices and a smooth reading session as there were breaks for taking a breath of grabbing a drink of water for the person reading aloud.
My two littles also liked the story.
I would check it out again.
April 16, 2018
A wonderfully funny story that I think children would really enjoy! It goes through what is needed for a story (characters, props, ideas etc) so perhaps would be a good place to start when writing stories with children.
October 20, 2019
A very clever book that disrupts the usual narrative with an argumentative character trying to stop the story being told. It displays the creative process of writing and features multiple traditional fairy tales.
October 21, 2019
What a clever book! Didn’t want to put it down even though I was being told to. Love the illustrations of this picture book! Will be definitely using in the classroom! Great for a little giggle, you can really play with the characters voices when reading it to a class!
October 21, 2019
I found this book messy and confusing to read and the start and throughout most. Saying that the story became clear towards the end and I did enjoy the plot. Being told you can’t read something somehow makes you want to read on! Great illustrations
November 6, 2021
This was cute and fun, though it felt a little rushed and there were a lot of words on each page set. This seems much more like a book for older kids than younger ones. Fun illustrations, and I did like the interaction with the reader.
January 9, 2018
Very cute - a twisted fairy tale!
November 8, 2018
A funny story retelling the creation of The Princess and The Pea!
February 15, 2021
I like the idea of this book - the bringing together of various fairy tales but it’s written in a rather disorientating way and to be honest, I was left wishing I’d taken the advice on the cover.
August 26, 2022
Tries too hard to be funny and is confusing in its wacky presentation.
February 23, 2024
This book was okay. It was supposed to be funny, but it was mostly just the annoying king shouting a lot. The artwork was good. I liked the story teller.
April 3, 2024
I said "I'm so glad that's over" when we finished reading it....I understand the concept and what the book was trying to be, but I think it missed the mark.
February 16, 2015
This very original postmodern picture book by Jill Lewis follows the stork of a King, the interruptive narrator, and his story writer as they try to write the story of the princess and the pea. They travel through many other classical fairy tales on their story writing journey, and the whole time the King is commanding the reader to stop reading because their story is not finished. He continually interrupts the story to explain that the reader should not be reading.
The banter in this story makes it a very enjoyable and funny read. The in and out interruptions by the King make it so that nothing in the book is predictable, there are always surprises that make it much more interesting than a simple story that would simply narrate the journey of the king and storywriter. It creates a fun interaction with the reader, making them feel as though they are breaking the rules or being rebellious as they continue to read the book as the king continues to command the opposite.
The illustrations of this story are exciting and surprising. The bright colors, harsh lines, and intense contrasts make it so that the eye is continually drawn to many parts of the page, encouraging full interaction witht the text and the book as a whole. The pictures perfectly accompany the shocking aspects of the text. Also, the text is scattered throughout the page, in a multitude of patters, fonts, and sizes. This helps the reader to understand the different pieces of the story, also pointing the eyes in the correct directions as the chaos of the book can be confusing.
The banter in this story makes it a very enjoyable and funny read. The in and out interruptions by the King make it so that nothing in the book is predictable, there are always surprises that make it much more interesting than a simple story that would simply narrate the journey of the king and storywriter. It creates a fun interaction with the reader, making them feel as though they are breaking the rules or being rebellious as they continue to read the book as the king continues to command the opposite.
The illustrations of this story are exciting and surprising. The bright colors, harsh lines, and intense contrasts make it so that the eye is continually drawn to many parts of the page, encouraging full interaction witht the text and the book as a whole. The pictures perfectly accompany the shocking aspects of the text. Also, the text is scattered throughout the page, in a multitude of patters, fonts, and sizes. This helps the reader to understand the different pieces of the story, also pointing the eyes in the correct directions as the chaos of the book can be confusing.
April 7, 2011
This title joins a small flock of books where the story isn't done or gets out of control. Similar themed books include Chester's Masterpiece, The Plot Chickens, and An Undone Fairy Tale. In this volume, the king is determined to keep the reader away from the book because the royal story writer is not done with his work yet. The furious monarch threatens the reader with prison before he and the story writer set out for Beanstalk Crossroads to hunt down the missing story notes.
Different fairy tales are mentioned throughout the book. For students who are familiar with those tales, it will be a good draw to the book. It may encourage others to explore those stories, especially if they are on display when this book is read to a group. I'd like to try pairing this book with Interrupting Chicken.
Different fairy tales are mentioned throughout the book. For students who are familiar with those tales, it will be a good draw to the book. It may encourage others to explore those stories, especially if they are on display when this book is read to a group. I'd like to try pairing this book with Interrupting Chicken.
October 31, 2018
I had seen a few students review this previously and give it a poor rating. I wanted to read it and challenge their perceptions in the hope that it was being wittily post-modern and smart in ways that they might have missed but no, they were spot on. I can only describe this as a book that tries too hard to tick the same post-modern tropes which made The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and many others so successful but if you're only going to break the fourth wall and create a little bit of a mess, visually, in the narrative, then that's not going to be enough. And that's what I felt happened here - it was all just a bit messy. On saying that, my 5 year old enjoyed it, so...
September 11, 2011
This is a great book for kids. Parents and Teachers will have fun discussing the various fairtale characters as they help the story unfold. Readers will be excited to see what happens to the King's story.
The very irritated King doesn't want anyone turning the pages of this book. You see, the story is not quite finished. He chases down his writer only to find that he has lost the pages of the story. As you, the reader tags along on the search for the story, you will be threatened with prison and a dungeon.
You must keep reading to see if the King and his writer find the missing pages. Along the way you will encounter some curiously familiar characters from stories you have read over and over.
The very irritated King doesn't want anyone turning the pages of this book. You see, the story is not quite finished. He chases down his writer only to find that he has lost the pages of the story. As you, the reader tags along on the search for the story, you will be threatened with prison and a dungeon.
You must keep reading to see if the King and his writer find the missing pages. Along the way you will encounter some curiously familiar characters from stories you have read over and over.
July 17, 2012
Maybe a two point five. It's not that I hated it. It's kind of cute.
I'm all for breaking the fourth wall and having characters talk to the readers. Hello, We are in a Book!, The Monster at the End of this Book, Chester's Masterpiece ... among others I am looking at you! But you know why I am looking at them?
Because they did it better. :/
I'm all for breaking the fourth wall and having characters talk to the readers. Hello, We are in a Book!, The Monster at the End of this Book, Chester's Masterpiece ... among others I am looking at you! But you know why I am looking at them?
Because they did it better. :/
October 21, 2014
If I were rating this book based on my reading enjoyment: 2 stars.
My 7-year-old son's rating: 4 stars
The pictures are bright and unique. The title jumps off the cover and generates interest.
The content was extremely annoying to me. It is basically a fairytale retold with interruptions and side plot (think "Interrupting Chicken" but poorly executed)
My 7 year old loved the book. He smiled, laughed and responded to the book throughout -- and yelled for me to read it again when we were done. Then he requested the book over and over every day until it was returned to the library (tThank God!)
My 7-year-old son's rating: 4 stars
The pictures are bright and unique. The title jumps off the cover and generates interest.
The content was extremely annoying to me. It is basically a fairytale retold with interruptions and side plot (think "Interrupting Chicken" but poorly executed)
My 7 year old loved the book. He smiled, laughed and responded to the book throughout -- and yelled for me to read it again when we were done. Then he requested the book over and over every day until it was returned to the library (tThank God!)
August 19, 2012
Don't read this book. Really. Don't read it. Or the king will throw you in the dungeon. Really. It says so right here. (page marked w/ sticky note.)
Above is book-talk and then I had all the kids yelling, "read it, read it!" It was awesome, unexpected, and the hit of the school visits for this year for sure. I was surprised to see that it didn't have a higher star rating on here--I don't often give 5 stars, but this one definitely deserves it. I loved it, my kids loved it, and all the kids I read it to loved it too!
Above is book-talk and then I had all the kids yelling, "read it, read it!" It was awesome, unexpected, and the hit of the school visits for this year for sure. I was surprised to see that it didn't have a higher star rating on here--I don't often give 5 stars, but this one definitely deserves it. I loved it, my kids loved it, and all the kids I read it to loved it too!
May 11, 2011
Well, I really wanted to like this one. I love the fractured fairy tale, but this one was just a little too fractured. It is a fun read aloud, but I would recommend this one as a 1-on-1 so that the young child can ask questions. The story line is buried, the King's remarks can be confusing, and the fact that the only fairy tale being written about is The Princess and the Pea when more than that one are alluded to seems incomplete.
Overall, fun but not a fave.
Overall, fun but not a fave.
July 19, 2014
This is a book about a King who is waiting for his writer to write a new story. However, the writer has lost the story, so the story is following the characters. However, the king interrupts the story to tell the reader not to read and threatens to through the reader in the dungeons. The characters finally find the story and it happens to be the Princess and the Pea. It may be a cute story to read to students in first or second grade. It makes multiple references to diary tail stories.
January 28, 2015
The story writer has lost his notes and only has half of the title for the book he was going to write. The King tells the reader not to read the book. He and the writer spend the rest of the book feeling that they are being watched by YOU, and reminding you that you are not allowed to read the book, unless you want to end up in the dungeon! Finally the story notes are found and the tale of the Princess and the Pea
December 15, 2010
This was a fun book that played upon reverse psychology- as intended by the title. It tells the journey of a king who is attempting to write another fairy tale. He ends up gathering all of the parts to compose the tale of the princess and the pea. A non- traditional fairy tale that kids would enjoy.
CO: 2010
Genre- Traditional literature
CO: 2010
Genre- Traditional literature
July 10, 2013
I read this book in Hamworth Library in Hamworth(Poole) England while on holiday. Our plans for the day fell through and so we saw a library and went into regroup and borrow their internet. I found this book in their cute little children's area and thought it was fun! I really enjoyed it! I am going to make my library buy it! It is silly and cute...I like how it 'talks' to the reader!
September 25, 2013
I don't really get it...and I love quirky and weird books. In fact, I have a list of "Weird Books" I recommend to kids in grades K-6...but this one never really goes anywhere. It just tries way too hard. I think other authors...David Wiesner, Jon Sciezka, Mo Willems...do this stuff better. Disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews