The Day The Books Disappeared

The Day the Books Disappeared by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard with illustrations by Dan Santat

When powerhouse authors come together with Dan Santat’s iconic illustrations you know magic is going to happen. My Grade 3s spotted his style right away. They said “That looks like Dan Santat” and their excitement filled the room even before the first page was read.

Arnold only loves books about planes. He thinks everyone else should too. When he discovers he can make his classmates’ books disappear about ostriches, tomatoes, submarines he does not hesitate. But when his own book disappears, he begins to understand what it feels like to have choice taken away.

The conversations that followed in our class were incredible. My students quickly agreed that books are about choice. Some are mirrors that show us who we are. Others are windows into someone else’s world. Both are important and both deserve to stay.

This story is subtle, powerful, and necessary. It is a wonderful way to open discussions about censorship, fairness, and respecting differences. I am grateful that picture books like this exist and even more grateful that my students remind me every day how deeply they care about fairness and freedom.

What book would you never want to see disappear?