Ho, Joanna. Day the Books Disappeared, The. Dan Santat, Illus. Addl. Creator Caroline Kusin Pritchard. Disney-Hyperion, 07/2025. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-368-11065-5. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.
A lighthearted yet timely tale conveys how the freedom to choose what we read enriches all of our lives. As Arnold’s passion for books about flight shifts into wishes for his friends’ less interesting books to disappear, they do! It is only when he relates to their unique passions and their ability to read about them, that the books reappear. Arnold’s journey helps young readers build their own concepts of compassion by emphasizing connection, even for ideas that may feel uncomfortable at first (Tomatoes? “Yuck!” Ostriches? “Fly away!”). Vibrant, spirited ink illustrations by Dan Santat connect us to a diverse classroom of students in their full range of emotions–-joy, horror, relief and finally belonging. A simple letter from the creators asks us to share the books that “help us really see and know one another,” and successfully present a subject seemingly complex as readily understandable by all.
Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library