This Is My Book

By Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon
Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

In the ever-popular ‘meta book’ tradition, This Is My Book invites the reader into a battle between the left-hand page and the right-hand page for ultimate ownership of the story. The illustrations cleverly bring the pages to life, with a surprising range of emotions given we can only see eyes and mouths! As the pages stake their claims, they also elucidate a range of storytelling tropes and publishing conventions.

“Being the left allows me to start the story however I please.”

“I think you should start with something classical, like Once upon a time.”

The pages talk to each other, and directly to the author and illustrator: “Excuse me, Heidi McKinnon, could you please draw something to weigh down the right page?”

This book will be helpful for concepts of print lessons and for unpacking narrative conventions. It is bold, bright and funny and will make for wonderful read aloud opportunities. The playful design also requires it to be turned sideways and upside down while reading, giving a rich experience of interacting with the physical book that should lead to requests for repeat reads.

Puffin Books 2024
Tim Harris 
Heidi McKinnon

Lara Cain Gray’s book The Grown Up’s Guide To Picture Books is being published in September this year.