In this gorgeous little picture book, our main character is a book fiend – reading anything and everything! And just when he is about to run out of books, inspiration strikes though with one VERY big caveat!
“Perhaps I could make my own. Then I can read as many stories as I want. But how does one make a book? … They must use a book-making machine.”
And so the little boy begins building – with each addition to the machine making it bigger, better, and more grand! But soon he learns a very important lesson – one that sparks his imagination further than any bookmaking machine ever would.
“Maybe. . . books don’t come from a machine at all.”
First off – I loved the way the author set up the story! A voracious little reader who cannot get enough books is the perfect main character for any picture book.
Also – shout out to the artist! Great character design and expressions on the little boy. And I loved the way the colors made the story POP!
I also really liked all of the creativity shown when the little boy was making the book machine. It reminded me of when I was little and my dad bought a refrigerator (this is relevant, I swear) and I was able to get the giant cardboard box.
I spent hours turning the box into one thing and then another. I made castles, rocket ships, sail boats, time machines and more – so why not a book machine?!
But what really sold me was the latter half of the book – when the kiddo realizes that books do not come from a machine after all and he begins to write a few stories of his own.
We (as the audience) get an overview of important things that go into bookmaking and writing – which serves as a great introduction to writing stories for a child audience.
In an age of AI and all it’s relatively devastating effects on the creative industry, I do think the message of this book came across as particularly impactful. Books don’t come from machines. They are sparked and grown inside of people – creative, wonderful, and fabulous people!
With thanks to Familus Publishing for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Miranda Reads 