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Tek: The Modern Cave Boy
Tek is a cave boy in love with tech: his tablet, videogames, phone, and TV keep him deep in his cave, glued to his devices, day in and day out. He never sees his friends or family anymore--and his ability to communicate has devolved to just one word: "UGH"! Can anyone in the village convince Tek to unplug and come outside into the big, beautiful world?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
About the author
Patrick McDonnell
170 books365 followersPatrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
February 6, 2017
Cool story about a cave boy who spends too much time on his electronic gadgets and video gaming. The book looks like a tablet! Very neat illustrations too.
February 10, 2017
Cute little picture book about a prehistoric kid unplugging for a change. I liked the book design - it's made to look like a tablet - but overall the story fell kind of flat considering others of it's kind. I think that the author should have done more with the unplugging from technology aspect.
April 2, 2016
This adorable concept book can be shared across age levels - older audiences will appreciate the attention to the details in the ingenious book design. Younger audiences will be tickled and apt to ask for rereads. Pair with Matthew Cordell's Hello Hello for a conversation starter about connectivity.
June 9, 2019
Wonderful book that looks at all the problems of being too 'plugged' in!
May 6, 2022
The creator of Mutts presents a cautionary tale that warns kids of all they're missing by never looking up from their devices and gadgets.
Cute story and a fun presentation should prove popular with the kiddos.
Cute story and a fun presentation should prove popular with the kiddos.
January 7, 2020
A little cave boy named Tek remains stubbornly absorbed in his various electronic devices in this tongue-in-cheek picture-book examination of technological addiction. Nothing anyone can do, from his desperate parents to his hopeful best friend (an alligator named Larry), can tear him away. He misses everything from evolution to the Ice Age, until finally the local volcano has had enough and erupts, thereby separating Tek from his gadgets, and forcing him to see the beauty of the world around him...
An entertaining look at an ever-growing problem with today's younger generation - namely, an addiction to technological devices, and a resultant inability to interact with the non-digital world in a healthy way - Tek: The Modern Cave Boy manages to be quite thought-provoking, without ever feeling preachy. Everything, from the format of the book itself - it is formatted like a tablet, with cardboard covers designed to approximate such a device - to its title (surely a reference to people staying in their "caves" with their computers?) offers a commentary on the issue at hand. Recommended to anyone looking for stories that will prompt discussion about computer/TV addiction, and the importance of getting out into the natural world, as another means of education and entertainment.
An entertaining look at an ever-growing problem with today's younger generation - namely, an addiction to technological devices, and a resultant inability to interact with the non-digital world in a healthy way - Tek: The Modern Cave Boy manages to be quite thought-provoking, without ever feeling preachy. Everything, from the format of the book itself - it is formatted like a tablet, with cardboard covers designed to approximate such a device - to its title (surely a reference to people staying in their "caves" with their computers?) offers a commentary on the issue at hand. Recommended to anyone looking for stories that will prompt discussion about computer/TV addiction, and the importance of getting out into the natural world, as another means of education and entertainment.
April 23, 2022
Mi hijo lo escogió en una librería y fue el mejor descubrimiento de la vida, menos mal no me hizo caso cuando yo (juzgándolo por su portada) le pedí que escogiera otro. Es un libro perfecto para los niños aficionados a los aparatos electrónicos, de manera divertida muestra como un niño a la fuerza se da cuenta de todo lo que se está perdiendo por estar pegado todo el día a una tableta. Las páginas están ilustradas como si fuera una tableta y eso a mi hijo le pareció lo máximo. A partir de este libro conocimos más libros del autor y nos enamoramos de Patrick Mc Donnel. Mi favorito: The gift of nothing.
December 6, 2016
McDonnell has created an amusing book that looks like an ipad. The theme of the book isn't hard to guess once you look closely at the cover illustration. Tek, a young 'cave' boy with a beard (his father hasn't invented shaving cream yet), is obsessed with his video games, tablet, and phone. In fact, he is so focused on his technology that he refuses to even leave his cave. Despite the efforts of his parents and his best friend, Larry (a crocodile?), Tek misses out on the evolving world, including the Ice Age, and the appearance of dinosaurs. It isn't until the local volcano erupts and disrupts Tek's entire world that he starts to see the world around him and the wonders it contains. The design of this book is fabulous. The first half of the book looks just like an ipad screen, even including a number pad page. Once Tek starts seeing and experiencing the world around him, the design of the book changes. Tek's beard also adds humor as do the parents comments and the fact that Larry carries around a basketball, wishing Tek would come play with him.
October 6, 2016
Tek: The Modern Cave Boy
5 Stars, Buy it.
The kindle version of this is a little weird, it has outlines on the pages and looks like you are reading it on your phone because there is a battery and wi fi signal on it. Anyway, this is a cute story about a little guy named tek who is completely hooked on gadgets. Once tek gets away from his gadgets, the weird outlines disapear and everything looks normal. Such a totally and sweet adorable book. Of course it’s written by Patrick Mcdonnell, so it’s no surprise it’s incredibly juicy and sweet. Highly recommend. My only complaint is that it’s too short.
5 Stars, Buy it.
The kindle version of this is a little weird, it has outlines on the pages and looks like you are reading it on your phone because there is a battery and wi fi signal on it. Anyway, this is a cute story about a little guy named tek who is completely hooked on gadgets. Once tek gets away from his gadgets, the weird outlines disapear and everything looks normal. Such a totally and sweet adorable book. Of course it’s written by Patrick Mcdonnell, so it’s no surprise it’s incredibly juicy and sweet. Highly recommend. My only complaint is that it’s too short.
October 27, 2016
Very cute, simple, funny story about a little caveboy who is completely caught up in modern technology. He stays in his cave all day while his parents and friends keep trying to get him to come out and enjoy the world.
I love the packaging of this book - the cover is extra thick and looks like a tablet, very cute marketing idea. The illustrations were entertaining and well-done and helped move the story along nicely. Fun read for kids and adults!
I love the packaging of this book - the cover is extra thick and looks like a tablet, very cute marketing idea. The illustrations were entertaining and well-done and helped move the story along nicely. Fun read for kids and adults!
October 27, 2016
This is about a little cave boy who is so connected to his gadgets, he’s missing out on all that’s going on in the world beyond his cave—a story many of us can relate to. The clever design imitates a tablet. I wasn’t sure how well it would wear with heavy library use, but it seems sturdy enough. Lots of funny lines and details between the thick board-book covers (inside pages are thin).
January 30, 2017
Love Patrick McDonnell's books and this one is certainly one of the best. Tek plays inside all day and everyone tries to get him to go outside and play. A great unplugged storytime addition.
Some books that would go great with this: Blackout by John Rocco, Doug Unplugged by Dan Vaccarino, Hello! Hello! By Matthew Cordell, and Chloe by Peter McCarty.
Some books that would go great with this: Blackout by John Rocco, Doug Unplugged by Dan Vaccarino, Hello! Hello! By Matthew Cordell, and Chloe by Peter McCarty.
November 21, 2016
P (5 yo) loved. I wish it was more about moderation than absolutely no technology but the format was cute and the message of getting out to play is still valid.
March 5, 2017
Love this! What a funny book and great take on the technology situation these days!
January 4, 2018
Loved how this book looked like an ipad/tablet and how the battery life kept depleting. I found it a little odd that a cave boy had electronics, but oh well.
February 1, 2018
This book really teaches you a lesson. 🦎😳👨🏻💻🕒⭐️🌈
May 18, 2021
I liked this book but it is kind of weird at the same time.
April 28, 2019
Every child addicted to screens needs to read this book
November 18, 2017
Tek is a very modern kid in a very unmodern time. Day and night he has his head in his mobile device and his game box, although he lives in Cave Man times. Then came the day that Big Poppa decided to blow his volcanic top and disconnect everything in this cautionary tale of digital overload.
Formatted like an iPad, complete with black frame, start button in the middle bottom, power bars in the upper left and battery power and wifi logo in the upper right and password code on the title page, this is sure to be a hit with youngsters -- especially those who love their devices! While the story might be considered a bit strong-handed, I think it struck a good balance with the humor he infused into the story (who uses the phrases "muckety mucks" or "Grand Pooh-Bah" anymore?). McDonnell's pen and ink and watercolor drawings are filled with wide-eyed characters and humor galore.
A great gift book for that child who just loves his "tech".
Formatted like an iPad, complete with black frame, start button in the middle bottom, power bars in the upper left and battery power and wifi logo in the upper right and password code on the title page, this is sure to be a hit with youngsters -- especially those who love their devices! While the story might be considered a bit strong-handed, I think it struck a good balance with the humor he infused into the story (who uses the phrases "muckety mucks" or "Grand Pooh-Bah" anymore?). McDonnell's pen and ink and watercolor drawings are filled with wide-eyed characters and humor galore.
A great gift book for that child who just loves his "tech".
July 15, 2017
Words do not do this wonderful picture book justice. The book is disguised as a tablet so as to not scare people away from their devices. Tek is a boy who is so connected to his devices that he never goes outside of his cave. His friends miss him and he is missing out on the whole world. One day something happens that causes Tek to have to disconnect and discover he beautiful world around him. If only we could find a way to force children out of their own caves today and disconnect for a little while before they, too, miss out on the beautiful world around them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2018
Tek loves tech. In fact, so much that he doesn't interact with anyone inside or outside. Until Big Poppa, the village volcano blows and interrupts Tek's wifi. A cautionary tale of how technology may connect us beyond our home, but can also limit us. The book itself is like an ipad with a "home button" passcode, battery that depletes on every page, as well as the wifi signal.
Great book for teaching and discussing digital citizenship.
Great book for teaching and discussing digital citizenship.
October 3, 2017
This is another story recommendation from my colleague's digital citizenship workshop. This is fantastically clever! It looks like a tablet, and is about a caveman who can't get enough of technology. It's funny, and the look of it is sure to pull many to it. The tale is funny and relatable too. I feel this is a must for digital citizenship discussions!
June 26, 2019
This was a great concept for kids who face a tech world all day every day. I would have liked to see the unplugging happen in real-life ways, maybe adventures or something besides what seemed like a quick wrap up. I did like the final page of unplugging activities.
The book's physical appearance is nice too, something different for sure.
The book's physical appearance is nice too, something different for sure.
March 14, 2018
This story is definitely one to share. It gives a very obvious message that too much electronics might not be such a great thing, yet it never comes across as preachy. It is written in such a way that we can genuinely enjoy the story’s “moral.”
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
May 24, 2018
This story follows a young cave-boy, Tek. Tek will not leave his cave room because he is too attached to his electronic devices. His parents and dinosaur friends try to convince him to come out and play to no avail. A nearby volcano explodes and causes his devices to crash, and he is forced to interact with the world around him.
February 16, 2017
I really liked this book - it was very funny.
Kids can relate to the boy who likes to play games on his tablet for sure!
Kids can relate to the boy who likes to play games on his tablet for sure!
March 7, 2017
Oh my God this guy is always so funny. Very winking and great wordplay.
May 27, 2017
Warm, fuzzy and cute where the past fuses with the present. A unique concept for a children's book!
August 18, 2017
Picture Book
February 18, 2019
Out of battery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews