Do Not Open this Book by Andy Lee and Heath McKenzie

Before Reading


  • Before reading the story, how would you describe the character on the front?
  •   What do you think he will be like? What clues are there?
  •   Are you going to obey what he says and Not Open This Book?
  •   Why do you think there would even be a book called Do Not Open This Book?
  •   Do you think he really doesn’t want us to open the book?
  •   Do you know what ‘reverse psychology’ is? If so, do you think that is what is happening here? 

After Reading

  • How does the character’s mood change as the story progresses?   
  • How does the use of colour and font set the mood for the story and give us hints about what is happening?   What are some other examples of things that we are told not to do but we do them anyway? Do you think that is a good or bad thing? Explain.
  • ​​Do you think that there is suspense in this story? If so, how and why does it build? 

Persuasion

Picture

Sometimes, just like the narrator, the blue character in, Do Not Open This Book, we want someone to do something.
And sometimes to get the other person to do what we want we need to persuade them. 

Discuss the "tricks" of persuasion that the author has used in this text (To get you to open and keep reading the book!!) Discuss and identify the tricks from the list.
  • Written in first person (I, I'm, I'll, You) - speaking directly to the reader
  • Font size changes throughout
  • Making promises/threats/punishments
  • Giving exaggerated reasons
  • Humour
  • Illustrations
  • Building suspense as the book progresses​
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