The Day the Books Disappeared

PreS-Gr 2–The importance of respecting different perspectives is gently explored in this uplifting and thought-provoking picture book. Arnold’s favorite book in his classroom library is about planes, and he has absolutely no use for his classmates’ preferred titles about tomatoes, ostriches, and submarines. He finds himself wishing those books didn’t exist so everyone would have to read his favorite book. In a twist of magical realism, the other books suddenly start disappearing one by one. Arnold is gleeful—until his favorite book disappears, too. In the end, the key to having the books return is empathy, as Arnold comes to understand that his peers’ preferences are just as valuable and valid as his own. Adults will clearly spot the parallels to the book challenges that are becoming all too frequent across the nation and can engage their young readers in discussions about kindness, empathy, and respect. Santat’s lightly textured illustrations fill up the pages with an expressive, organic warmth that suits the encouraging tone of the story. The text plays with language in a delightful way: instead of simply smiling, characters’ mouths “curve into a capital U.” Arnold and his classmates are depicted with a variety of skin tones and hair textures, visually underpinning the book’s theme of celebrating diversity.