The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Reviewed by Lori

The Invisible Boy


 Title: The Invisible Boy

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Patrice Barton

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 71464

Description: Brian has always felt invisible at school, but when a new student arrives, everything changes.




Curriculum Links: 
  • Anti-Bully
  • Art: Drawing
  • Character Education - Empathy, Kindness
  • Friendship
  • Social Studies: Developing a Sense of Self and Others
  • Reading: Transforming

Lori's Notes: 
I think this is a beautiful picture book and story.  Brian is an invisible boy, he doesn't take up much room, doesn't make a fuss, he's barely noticed by the teacher and ignored by the kids in his class. He isn't picked for the kickball team, isn't invited to birthday parties, and eats his lunch alone.  But when Justin begins school and is teased, Brian wonders whether it is better to be laughed at or ignored. Brian draws Justin a picture and just like that a friendship is born.  Justin can see Brian's talent in his drawings and includes Brian in his group work for school, as one person begins to see what Brian can do, everyone else begins to see Brian too.  I loved how the illustrations worked in this book.  Brian is a little boy in black and white but once he begins to build friendships he becomes more vibrant and colourful.  You don't need many friends, sometimes all it takes is one to make your world more special.  I really liked that we see Brian drawing with chalk on the ground on the front papers and the kids from his class on the end pages becoming part of his work.  There are  questions included in the back of the book useful for classroom discussion.

Recommended Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 2
  • Great title for quiet introverted kids
  • Good title for anti-bullying
  • Good title to include for art lessons

Inquiries and Activities: 
  • Create a picture using black and white for one feature and colour for everything else. Alternatively, create a black and white picture and use only one colour to draw attention to that item.
  • Do you think it would be better to be laughed at or ignored?
  • How does Brian help Justin and how does Justin help Brian?
  • Why and/or how is Brian invisible?
  • Have you ever felt invisible?  How did it make you feel?  What made you feel colourful again?
  • What happens when you feel left out?

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