We Are in a Book
Hardcover, 57 pages
Published September 14th, 2010 by Disney-Hyperion
Original Title
Elephant & Piggie: We Are in a Book!

ISBN
1423133080 (ISBN13: 9781423133087)



Plot Summary:
Gerald and Piggie realize they are in a book.  And that a person is reading them.  They get the reader to say a funny word "banana" in this interactive comical tale.  Kids will really get into the story because the dialogue makes it seem like they are actually talking to you.  As the book draws near to the end, Gerald gets upset and doesn't want it to be over.  Piggie gives Gerald an idea to ask the reader to read them again.

Critical Analysis:
The simple but funny story will draw in young readers.  The cartoon-like Elephant and Piggie dominate the page with a simple white background.  Dark lines are used to show intensity and action.  Word bubbles that are the matching color of the character help young readers follow who is speaking.  The characters expressive faces bring the story to life.  Children will want to read this story over and over.

Awards Won:
Buckeye Children's Book Award for K-2 (2012)
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor (2011)
 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Picture Book (2010)

Review Excerpts:

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2–Make room for another satisfying episode in the escapades of lovable Elephant (aka Gerald) and Piggie. This time the best buddies star in a witty metafictional romp replete with visual gags, such as Piggie hanging from a speech bubble and Elephant blocking the author's name on the title page. Willems revs up the fun when the friends realize that someone is watching. .–Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schoolsα(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. 

From Booklist

In their latest pairing, Elephant and Piggie are finally ready to get meta. Realizing that their trademark blank background is, in fact, a page, the duo has a blast convincing the reader to say funny things out loud—until Piggie mentions that the book will soon end. Cue Elephant’s existential crisis: “WHEN WILL THE BOOK END!?!” From there on, it’s a cute—but never too heady—play on the physical object that the reader is holding, including a bit where Piggie appears to flip the pages forward to get a sense of how much time they have left. Willems’ satisfying (if self-serving) solution? Read it again! Preschool-Grade 2. --Daniel Kraus

Connections:
Children's responses:  My 7-year-old daughter Olivia loved this book.  She said, "I want to read it again!"

Pull other Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie books:
Today I Will Fly ISBN: 1423102959
Waiting is Not Easy ISBN: 142319957X
There is a Bird on Your Head ISBN: 1423106865

Pull other books by Mo Willems:
Knuffle Bunny ISBN:1844280594 
Leonardo The Terrible Monster ISBN: 0786852941
The Pigeon Needs a Bath ISBN: 1423190874
 
Enrichment Activities:
Have a reader's theater where students read in pairs.  One student can read Gerald and one can read Piggie.

Use puppets to make the story come to life.

Have the students make a poster for the book.

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