Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, Vol. 1, ed. by Joseph Gordon-Levitt


Stocking Stuffer Alert!

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, Vol. 1 is just the perfect size for a stocking at 4" x 6". Now that you know that, I can tell you more . . .

First of all, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories is the cutest book I've seen all year, not just the stories, but the combination of tiny stories with creative illustrations. I love it so much I have read it and reread it and flipped back to my favorite stories too many times to count, already (and I just got it under a week ago). Each story is only a line or two -- more micro than micro-fiction -- and they're written and illustrated by a variety of authors and artists.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer, Inception, Angels in the Outfield) founded and directs the group that created the book, hitRECord, a collaborative production company that's open to anyone. You can read about the project, enjoy their creations or join in at the hitRECord site if you are creatively inclined.

Here are two of my favorite stories from The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories (you should be able to click to enlarge):

To be honest, I have a lot of favorites. The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories is only about 84 pages long, so you can read it in nothing flat, but it's the kind of book that is so fascinating you'll want to revisit it hundreds of times. And, it's only the first in a series. At least two more are forthcoming! I'm going to collect all three and I won't have to feel guilty, since they hardly take up any space at all. Not that you need to tell my husband.

Here's another story I love (no image available, unfortunately):

His hands were weak and shaking
from carrying far too many
books from the bookshop.

It was the best feeling.

~p. 68

Wait! One more!!!!

The element of surprise wasn't
allowed near the Periodic Table.

~p. 38

I wish you could see the illustration for that one.

Clever stories, great illustrations and wide variety in a small package make The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, Vol. 1 a winner. Highly recommended, especially for the lover of ingenious wording and/or inventive design.

The next book I review is also a bit of an eyeball feast. December has been such a fun reading month, I think perhaps I might explode.


©2011 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery and Babble or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:58 PM

    I bought this today. I actually read it all in the store, but loved it so much I had to buy it. Wallace was with me, and we decided the bookstore story was all too appropriate,

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  2. Jill,

    I got mine from HarperCollins for review, but if I'd happened across it in the store . . . yep. I would have carried it home. It would also make an excellent treetop book on a book tree. Perfect size, don't you think?

    LOL about the bookstore story being apropos.

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  3. I loved this book too! This book is an example of why we need to keep print books alive!

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  4. I really think I need this one now.

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  5. Kathy,

    Oh, so true! I'm glad you enjoyed it, too. Actually, I can't imagine any booklover not liking it. :)

    Ryan,

    Yes, you do. You need some tiny awesomeness immediately.

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  6. I adore JGL! neat book.

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  7. Carrie,

    Me, too! He's a terrific actor. The book is awfully clever.

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  8. Ahh! I so want to read this book, and ever since seeing the first review of it, I have known that this book would be the perfect little read for me! Thanks for the awesome review and for sharing some of the illustrations. I am off to see how I can get this book!

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  9. Zibilee,

    I suggest dropping loud hints. Christmas is coming! Stocking stuffer idea!

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  10. Loverly review, Nancy!!! I'm glad you loved it so, and I love the bookstore story, too!

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  11. Andiloo,

    Thanks! Well, of course you love the bookstore story. :) So far, I cannot bear to put this book on a shelf. I want it next to me, so I can keep flipping through it. I feel like an addict.

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  12. Dear Borders,

    Oh how I miss you, but especially this time of year. I think there were some weeks last season when I visited your store every single night on the way home from work.

    I so wish that I could drop by you this afternoon and pick up this book because as I've told Andi and Nancy, I want I want I want. And now after seeing the pictures in this post I WANT I WANT I WANT.

    So sad.

    Love,

    Trish

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  13. Oh I WANT this. What a terrific way to teach writing to my students too. He says so much in so little. It's perfect. Now to find it!!

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  14. Those are fantastic! I laughed so hard over the doctor's wife one that my husband asked me what was going on over here. :)

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