Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Candlewick (2016), 48 pages
Description
Readers are invited to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found in the natural world, even the humblest back garden! With exquisitely-detailed illustration that will appeal to children and art-lovers alike, and a wonderfully playful invented language, we soon find ourselves speaking "Bug" ... Du iz tak? What is that?
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
A group of insects encounter a shoot unfurling, and unsure as to just what it is - "Du iz tak?" they ask: what is that? - they discuss it as they watch it slowly grow. When a voobek, or spider arrives, the insects are dismayed, only to watch in satisfaction as this enemy is carried away by a bird.
The second picture-book to be both written and illustrated by Carson Ellis, an artist known for her work on her husband Colin Meloy's album covers and children's novels, Du Iz Tak? is an imaginative foray into an alien world, complete with invented insect language. Careful readers will be able to understand that language after a bit, both from the one glossed phrase, "Du is tak?", and from the context provided by the artwork. The artwork itself is lovely, with a stylized folk sensibility that is just charming, and adept use of color and blank space on the page. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that involve imaginative involvement and puzzle solving, as well as to fans of Carson Ellis's artwork.
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The shoot grows, eventually flowering and then withering as winter approaches. Then the next spring there are many little shoots to be seen...The second picture-book to be both written and illustrated by Carson Ellis, an artist known for her work on her husband Colin Meloy's album covers and children's novels, Du Iz Tak? is an imaginative foray into an alien world, complete with invented insect language. Careful readers will be able to understand that language after a bit, both from the one glossed phrase, "Du is tak?", and from the context provided by the artwork. The artwork itself is lovely, with a stylized folk sensibility that is just charming, and adept use of color and blank space on the page. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that involve imaginative involvement and puzzle solving, as well as to fans of Carson Ellis's artwork.
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LibraryThing member KallieGrace
We love this book, the made-up language is surprisingly understandable, though that is most likely because you can understand the story from the fantastic illustrations. Through the nonsense words, a charming story about the course of nature and interactions of creatures is told. This book will
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keep a child's interest through the silliness of the words, but leave them with an appreciation for creepy crawlies and the whole of nature. Show Less
LibraryThing member sylliu
A delightful story where bugs talk in a strange language, as they wonder about the arrival of a seedling. I haven't read this with children, but I assume that it would be really fun to ask them what they think the story is about and what the bugs are saying.
LibraryThing member rarewren
The invented language could make for a really engaging group read-aloud, with practice.
2017 Caldecott Honor
2017 Caldecott Honor
LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
Du iz tak? What is that? (in bug-talk) As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. When the plant grows taller and sprouts leaves, some young beetles arrive to gander, and soon—with the help of a pill bug named Icky—they wrangle a ladder and build a tree fort. But this is the
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wild world, after all, and something horrible is waiting to swoop down—booby voobeck!—only to be carried off in turn. Su! This book's detailed illustrations and strange bug language stimulate the imagination. This is a fun read-aloud with young children. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
Certainly worthy of a Caldecott Honor. Both the story and the incredible illustrations entice the reader to go back and start again, then to finish and once again go back. Each time I re-read this lovely story, I was able to understand the bug language.
This is an unusual tale of nature, as
Watching a tiny sprout, more tiny bugs arrive, each trying to make sense of what this green thing coming out of the soil really is. They have no answer to their question, so they knock inside the round wooded log where inside their friend brings out a ladder allowing them to climb up and as a group make forts throughout the leaves. These bugs are having a wonderful time, and only a hardened adult wouldn't melt in remembering our own days of summer mischief.
Page after page of this delightful book is sure to please children, and adults. As the seed grows, the bugs cannot help but find many useful purposes. When a huge spider builds a web over the fort one of the tiny creatures looks dejected and forlorn wondering rup furt. Perhaps furt means fort, I'm not sure, but trying to figure out their language renders the story uniquely fun.
As the life cycle of the growth comes to an end as the cold winter approaches the beautiful growth dies. And, then spring begins again and anew bug happens to come along and ask the same question.
I think this is a book that you have to read a few times to really appreciate it. The tiny, minute details in the illustrations and the language are simply wonderfully silly and fun.
Four Stars!
This is an unusual tale of nature, as
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experienced by the tiny, wee world of which happens without our concept. As spring arrives, two winged lovely dressed winged creatures approach a seedling and ask Du Iz Tak? or, What is This? The made up language is silly and fun to try to understand. Watching a tiny sprout, more tiny bugs arrive, each trying to make sense of what this green thing coming out of the soil really is. They have no answer to their question, so they knock inside the round wooded log where inside their friend brings out a ladder allowing them to climb up and as a group make forts throughout the leaves. These bugs are having a wonderful time, and only a hardened adult wouldn't melt in remembering our own days of summer mischief.
Page after page of this delightful book is sure to please children, and adults. As the seed grows, the bugs cannot help but find many useful purposes. When a huge spider builds a web over the fort one of the tiny creatures looks dejected and forlorn wondering rup furt. Perhaps furt means fort, I'm not sure, but trying to figure out their language renders the story uniquely fun.
As the life cycle of the growth comes to an end as the cold winter approaches the beautiful growth dies. And, then spring begins again and anew bug happens to come along and ask the same question.
I think this is a book that you have to read a few times to really appreciate it. The tiny, minute details in the illustrations and the language are simply wonderfully silly and fun.
Four Stars!
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LibraryThing member Lilly.Reid
A mystery plant has sprouted from the ground! Watch these insects enjoy their new home through the changing of the seasons, and see how they adapt.
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Goofy, weird, and totally charming -- expressive art and a fun language to play with and puzzle over, as the bugs experience something unexpected in the garden.
Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Picture Books — 2016)
Caldecott Medal (Honor Book — 2017)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Picture Books — 2017)
Odyssey Award (Honor — 2019)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
The White Ravens (2017)
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Winner — Picture Book — 2017)
Star of the North Picture Book Award (Nominee — 2019)
Notable Children's Book (2017)
Nerdy Book Award (2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016
Physical description
48 p.; 10.13 inches
ISBN
0763665304 / 9780763665302