I recently ordered a copy of “The Last of the Mohicans” with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. When it arrived I found the illustrations were in black and white. NOBODY WARNED ME ABOUT THIS!
This strip reminds me of the beginning of the classic “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland”, where the heroine gripes about the book her older sister was reading: “Of what good is a book with no pictures or conversations in it?”
I used to be the network administrator at a primary school (grades 1-10). One time I went to the library because there was something wrong with a computer there. When I arrived, the librarian was busy checking out a book for a student, and while I waited for her to point out which computer had the problem, I picked up a book and thumbed through it. When the librarian had finished with the student, I said to her: "This book is 250 pages long and there’s not a single picture in it! How can anyone be expected to read this?! I’ll never forget the look on her face.
They’ve fixed that by making over the books into graphic novels. Nancy Drew and Boxcar Children are two examples. Whatever gets them to read is fine in my book but I wish they’d feel the wonder of reading the exact same book that their great grandmother read or even their dad. I have many of their dad’s books as well as a shelf of my mother’s.
pschearer Premium Member over 3 years ago
I recently ordered a copy of “The Last of the Mohicans” with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. When it arrived I found the illustrations were in black and white. NOBODY WARNED ME ABOUT THIS!
Susan00100 over 3 years ago
This strip reminds me of the beginning of the classic “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland”, where the heroine gripes about the book her older sister was reading: “Of what good is a book with no pictures or conversations in it?”
Purple People Eater over 3 years ago
I used to be the network administrator at a primary school (grades 1-10). One time I went to the library because there was something wrong with a computer there. When I arrived, the librarian was busy checking out a book for a student, and while I waited for her to point out which computer had the problem, I picked up a book and thumbed through it. When the librarian had finished with the student, I said to her: "This book is 250 pages long and there’s not a single picture in it! How can anyone be expected to read this?! I’ll never forget the look on her face.
jagedlo over 3 years ago
Where would the surprise be if you were warned about it, Joe?
Doug K over 3 years ago
You get to make your own pictures – in your mind.
Doug K over 3 years ago
But if a picture is worth a thousand words …
Grutzi over 3 years ago
They’ve fixed that by making over the books into graphic novels. Nancy Drew and Boxcar Children are two examples. Whatever gets them to read is fine in my book but I wish they’d feel the wonder of reading the exact same book that their great grandmother read or even their dad. I have many of their dad’s books as well as a shelf of my mother’s.
drycurt over 3 years ago
I remember going through this, myself.
kab2rb over 3 years ago
Joe when you read the writer of the book, words of description. Sorry Joe you are done with pictures.
CJ Flintstone over 3 years ago
What is that hexagonal contraption in the first two panels? Trash can? Compost bin? Portal to a parallel universe??
Stephen Gilberg over 3 years ago
My then two-year-old nephew asked me to read a very grown-up book to him. I easily talked him out of it by proving there were no pictures.
crazeekatlady over 3 years ago
Art books have LOTS of pictures. How to books do too. Ikea directions are all pictures, as the words are useless because they are weird.
Daeder over 3 years ago
Ma Bell wants you to read the phonebook.