Book review: Amy Krouse Rosenthal takes us back to school for life lessons in Textbook

Textbook by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Dutton via AP

Textbook

Amy Krouse Rosenthal

(Dutton)

Dh68 from Amazon.com

It's been 10 years since bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal impressed critics and readers with her memoir, ­Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. Now she is stretching the boundaries with a groundbreaking new twist on the traditional literary experience.

Textbook is an intimate look into her world. Divided into sections that mirror school ­subjects, Rosenthal analyses topics including art, music, maths, science and history to take the reader on a journey.

In the social studies unit, she considers why we never see chubby symphony conductors. She shares stories from famous poets in the language-arts ­section. She even provides a handy chart of the United States in alphabetical order.

Clearly, Rosenthal wants the reader’s experience with the book to be far from linear. As she navigates the textbook-themed chapters, she peppers each page with interesting graphs, charts, photos and drawings. Not only are the margins non-traditional, but Rosenthal’s challenge to the reader is equally unique: to interact with the work.

Rosenthal invites readers to engage with certain stories by offering their own photos or thoughts on each subject through text prompts.

Should the reader choose to participate – by sending in a self-portrait or photo of a rainbow – she promises quick responses and encouragement.

Textbook is a delightful collection of interesting scenarios that directly point to life lessons. Rosenthal manages to spotlight the grand moments and the more mundane, everyday moments with equal curiosity, proving that it can be both a privilege – and petrifying – to peek into one's humanity.