If phones were alive, I think Denise is right – they would definitely go on strike! Hands up how many people do actually sleep next to their phones?

This book had me in fits of laughter at how accurately it portrays how we can get too addicted to our phones. But this is only part of the book – there is also a story about what Babbit does without his phone. After meeting a Bear that has lost its phone, the twosome work together to find their way home and form an unexpected friendship.

I was really intrigued by the concept of this book and I love Denise’s illustrations throughout. For me, this book has a different message depending on the age of the reader. For older readers, there is a message here about not being glued to your phone. For a young child, this story can show that stepping out of your comfort zone can help you enjoy new experiences and make new friends. That said, it probably is worth stressing to younger readers that you shouldn’t go wondering off into the woods on your own, with no way to get help! In fact, that probably applies to adults too!

Wonderfully modern and beautifully colourful, Babbit and Joan is a must for all bookshelves. When the phones go on strike Babbit checks in with his phone Joan and realises she is exhausted. He tucks her in for some rest and goes off on his own without her. He notices things he has never seen before and soon finds himself on an adventure with some new pals... This has a really lovely message about what you can discover when you put down your phone, and in a world where kids see grown ups on phones all the time it's a nice message for them, and us. It also looks absolutely stunning with some wonderful, colourful illustrations of the forest which Babbit and his pals explore.

The idea behind this book is good- to teach kids to put down their devices and spend more time outside. But the writing isn't particularly captivating. And the message relies on the phone, Joan, being tired and needing a break. I think there are better ways to persuade kids to put down their phones than using anthropomorphism. For kids that are old enough to own a phone or electronic device, I'm not sure they're going to buy that their phone has feelings. It's a great attempt at conveying an important message but it relies too much on talking down to its audience.

Adorable pictures and clear text make this an easy and fun read.

I do wonder who the target audience is. Parents can benefit from it, but I don't see many 7 year olds spending too much time on the phone. Maybe if their parents can relate it to tablets, etc it's helpful.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After reading The Day The Crayons Quit, I became a fan of inanimate objects going on strike. In Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and a Phone, the phones are the objects that decide to strike. While this is a cute concept (and one that is sadly needed in our day and age), I was a bit disappointed in how this plot was carried out. I felt that the storytelling was missing depth, but I did enjoy the illustrations!

This book was a super cute little book about how we miss everything when we are on our phones all day. No, our actual phones don't have minds of their own (even though they sometimes feel like they do...), and I felt pretty guilty for reading this book on my own phone, but the illustrations really brought this book to life and the story helps readers realize that there is a world outside of our phones.

Babbitt and the critters in his town are obsessed with their phones. So fixated that they never give their phone or themselves a break. When Babbit goes out on his own without his phone, Joan, he is scared at first. He then sees so much beauty. This is a fabulous book to discuss the pros and cons to technology and how sometimes it’s best to just enjoy what is around you.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute book about too much screen time and what you miss when you don't put down your phone. The pictures were very cute and colorful. The text flowed well. The story was cute and very relatable.

"It all began when the phones went on strike."

Joan, Babbit's phone, is exhausted. She's been taking photos and texting all day for him... and everyday. She needs a well deserved rest and a hiatus away from her friend. Understanding her plight Babbit carefully tucks her in for a nap and steps outside totally phoneless! Oh my!

He decides to take a walk in the forest and immediately discovers a whole new world around him. It's a world that's been there all along but he has been so engaged utilizing his phone that he has missed all its magic. He is spellbound by his surroundings and soaks it all in. He then comes to the realization that he is totally lost and has no idea how to get back home without his beloved phone. He keeps on walking and bumps into a bear and a little bird who also are without their phones and lost too.

The three use teamwork and their smarts to find their way back to town (no Google maps or GPS tech devices for them). On his return Babbit finds that Joan seems destressed, well-rested and much happier. They both decide that from time to time they need a break from each other and concur that it is positive thing for both parties to do.

The illustrations are colourful, expressive and appealing. The overall message is uplifting and freeing. It reinforces that friendships in real time are wonderful and outdoor adventures can be exhilarating and educational. It encourages every one with a phone to take a break, put it down, and get a real life.

When Babbit's phone, Joan, decides to take a day to rest, Babbit is left to his own devices. He sets off on a walk and quickly realizes that without his phone, he can't find his way back. That's until he comes across some other wayward creatures. Together they go on an adventure and realize that they can count on eachother to get back home.

This book sends a really great message to readers, especially adults, which is "take a break from your phone!" I think we don't realize just how much time we spend on some sort of device each day, and how much our children notice it. This story is a great reminder that there is more to life than technology.

Everything changes for Babbit on the day the phones go on strike

Maybe you know someone like Babbit. In this telling children's book that is for parents as well, the Babbit's phone goes on strike. He can't use it so he goes on his own. At first he finds himself alone, and his neighbors busy. As he walks, he begins to notice new things. He also notices that he is lost. Soon he makes new friends that have lost their phones as well, and together, they find their way back home. They also discover what is available without your phone.

A great story to read with your children regardless if they have phones or not about the responsibilities of having a cell phone and how we can become lost with them. Highly recommend for all ages.

A Special Thank you to Flyaway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

On the one hand, this book has a good message overall. On the other hand, it's disturbing that the message is needed for this age group, and the way the book anthropomorphizes devices and implies that inanimate objects are our friends could ultimately work against the message.

One day, the phones are feeling overworked so they go on strike. Babbit (a rabbit, of course) decides to let his friend, Joan (a phone, of course), have a break, so he puts her to bed for a nap and ventures out into the world. Of course, he promptly gets lost without Joan's help. But while he's out in the forest trying to find his way back, he meets other creatures who are lost because their phones are lost or broken. As they make their way back to civilization, they see all sorts of things they didn't notice when they had their noses buried in their devices. When they part ways, they make plans to meet up again. Babbit returns to Joan, who is feeling refreshed. Then they go to sleep, each tucked in their own beds.

So, like I said, the overall message of putting down your phone and getting outside to explore is a good one. But then Babbit returns home to Joan, who is anthropomorphized to the point of seeming like a roommate, and that just throws a wrench into the message. If Babbit were to just abandon Joan in the woods, it would probably be better for him in the long run. But because she's been so heavily anthropomorphized, any act like that would look cruel. If we really want kids to detach from their devices, it's probably not the best idea to convince them the phone is their best friend.

The pictures are colourful and appealing, and the writing is decent, so this is a fairly inoffensive picture book overall. But I'm afraid that, for kids who are already really addicted to their phones, this book isn't going to help much... and, in fact, could reinforce the idea that it's our devices that foster connection (while also confusingly showing the opposite).