The Book of Gold

Author Bob Staake
Illustrated by Bob Staake
Award-winning illustrator Bob Staake (Bluebird and The Red Lemon) brings us an emotionally rich picture book about a boy who discovers that the search for knowledge is more important than knowledge itself.

Young Isaac Gutenberg isn't a curious boy . . . that is, until he meets an old shopkeeper who tells him about The Book of Gold. This special book, hidden somewhere in the world, holds all the answers to every question and turns to solid gold when opened.
 
Isaac is determined to find the book—it will make him rich! He opens many books in his search, but quickly closes them when they don't turn to gold. That changes one day when he opens a book, looks at the page, and a question pops into his mind. From then on, he reads every word.
 
Time passes and Isaac ages, but he still scours dusty attics and flea markets, crisscrossing the world, searching for The Book of Gold. This sweeping picture book asks important questions: Is searching for knowledge better than having it? How important is curiosity? And what makes a life meaningful?
Bob Staake's 2006 Golden Book The Red Lemon was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year. His 2008 Golden Book The Donut Chef received glowing reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly. In addition to his work with Random House, Bob's titles include Mary Had a Little Lamp (Bloomsbury), Look! A Book! (Little Brown), and Cars, Galore (Candlewick). Outside of his work in children's publishing, Bob's illustrations have also been seen on several popular New Yorker covers, including the 11/17/08 "Reflection" cover that is officially the most popular New Yorker cover of all time. In 2008, Bob was the recipient of Time magazine's 2008 Best Magazine Cover award. View titles by Bob Staake

About

Award-winning illustrator Bob Staake (Bluebird and The Red Lemon) brings us an emotionally rich picture book about a boy who discovers that the search for knowledge is more important than knowledge itself.

Young Isaac Gutenberg isn't a curious boy . . . that is, until he meets an old shopkeeper who tells him about The Book of Gold. This special book, hidden somewhere in the world, holds all the answers to every question and turns to solid gold when opened.
 
Isaac is determined to find the book—it will make him rich! He opens many books in his search, but quickly closes them when they don't turn to gold. That changes one day when he opens a book, looks at the page, and a question pops into his mind. From then on, he reads every word.
 
Time passes and Isaac ages, but he still scours dusty attics and flea markets, crisscrossing the world, searching for The Book of Gold. This sweeping picture book asks important questions: Is searching for knowledge better than having it? How important is curiosity? And what makes a life meaningful?

Author

Bob Staake's 2006 Golden Book The Red Lemon was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year. His 2008 Golden Book The Donut Chef received glowing reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly. In addition to his work with Random House, Bob's titles include Mary Had a Little Lamp (Bloomsbury), Look! A Book! (Little Brown), and Cars, Galore (Candlewick). Outside of his work in children's publishing, Bob's illustrations have also been seen on several popular New Yorker covers, including the 11/17/08 "Reflection" cover that is officially the most popular New Yorker cover of all time. In 2008, Bob was the recipient of Time magazine's 2008 Best Magazine Cover award. View titles by Bob Staake

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and addressing student wellness and mental health is critical to help children learn how to manage emotions, develop healthy identities, empathize with peers, and pursue individual goals. We created thematic guides and book lists to help foster important conversations to build an inclusive environment where emotions matter. Explore our social emotional

Read more

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Elementary School titles  

Read more