The Day the Books Disappeared

All-star authors Joanna Ho (Eyes That Kiss in the Corners) and Caroline Kusin Pritchard (The Keeper of Stories) team up with Caldecott Medalist and National Book Award Winner Dan Santat in this celebration of the freedom to read.

Arnold didn't mean for the books to disappear--not exactly. It all started because he liked his book about airplanes best. Why would anyone want to read about tomatoes or ostriches or submarines (ew, the worst!) when they could read about planes, instead?

When Arnold realizes--POOF!--he can make the other books vanish, he goes a little too far. Before he knows it, all the books are gone...including his. Can Arnold figure out how to bring them back before it's too late?

This book about books celebrates themes of empathy, interconnectedness, and the value of diverse and differing perspectives.

Author: Joanna Ho,Caroline Kusin Pritchard
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: 07/15/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.70w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781368110655
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 04/14/2025
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2025
Booklist 06/01/2025 pg. 90
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2025 - Recommended, Satisfactory
School Library Journal 07/25/2025 pg. 1
Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2025

About the Author
Joanna Ho is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of many children's books, including Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, We Who Produce Pearls, and The Silence that Binds Us, her debut young adult novel, which received the Young Adult Honor for the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Her passion for equity in books and education is matched only by her love of homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Visit her at joannahowrites.com.

Caroline Kusin Pritchard is the author of Gitty and Kvetch and Where is Poppy, which School Library Journal called "a perfect story for all ages." She has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Virginia with her family. Learn more at CarolineKusinPritchard.com.

Dan Santat is the National Book Award-winning, Caldecott Medal-winning, and New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.