Mad for Ads - by Erica Fyvie (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This fact-packed exploration of how advertising works is a ... peek behind the curtain of an industry that influences everything we see. Through sample ads, eye-catching illustrations and funny, relevant examples, readers will learn all about how to decode and think critically about ads, empowering them to make smart decisions. Topics covered include the history of advertising, how ads are created, the anatomy of an ad from brand logo to tagline, how advertisers use psychological tools to get our attention, the cultural impact of advertising, and more"--

Book Synopsis

This amusing and engaging behind-the-scenes look at advertising and its influence will help kids decode the ads that surround them every day and make smart decisions.

For children growing up in an advertising-saturated world, here's an eye-opening explanation of what advertising is, how it works and why that matters. The book covers the components of an advertising campaign, from slogans to logos, and the many ways marketers seek to influence behavior, from tapping into fears to using psychological pricing. It then brings these techniques and tools to life by taking readers through the creation of two fictional advertising plans. Along the way, there's information about the strategies that advertisers use to influence their audience, as well as valuable background on how digital technology allows companies to track people and what that means for privacy. It's a savvy look at the business of advertising that teaches children to pay better attention to ads and be more discerning about the messages they find.

Award-winning author Erica Fyvie has geared this vital, comprehensive and entertaining look at advertising to children who are just beginning to notice and to be swayed by brands. By building media literacy and promoting critical thinking about all kinds of marketing tools -- from in-game ads to social media "kid influencers" -- the book empowers readers to analyze and respond to what they see every day. Relevant, child-friendly language and examples, along with bold and humorous illustrations by Ian Turner, keep the pages lively and interesting. There are direct curriculum links to language arts, visual arts, technology and social studies lessons. Also included are a glossary, index and selected bibliography.

Review Quotes

By the end ... readers should be better consumers of advertising ...--CM Magazine

The timely Your Digital Footprint, Apps, and Social Media sections may prove to be eye-opening to students, inspiring discussion and experience sharing.--School Library Connection

This book explores how ads work, including what makes them personal to different audiences.--OWL Magazine

... a wonderful introduction to the expansive topic of advertising.--Quill & Quire

Judicious as well as useful ...--Kirkus Reviews

This upbeat, up-to-date look at advertising helps young readers understand just how insidious marketing can be.--Booklist

About the Author

Erica Fyvie has worked as an academic editor and writer and has written for magazines and blogs. She is also the author of Trash Revolution, which won a Green Earth Book Award and was nominated for a Red Maple Award, the Norma Fleck Award and a Lane Anderson Award, among others. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.