The Day the Books Disappeared

Written by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard

Illustrated by Dan Santat

Reviewed by Zewlan Moor

This clever, child-centered book highlights the absurdity of book banning.

Arnold is passionate about planes and can’t believe other kids in his class don’t want to read about them too. Laila is reading about tomatoes: ‘Yuck. The only flying they did was from Arnold’s plate to the compost bin.’

‘”I wish I could can all the tomato books,” he whispered.’ And his wish came true!

After a great many similar experiences, Arnold is feeling queasy, as if his insides were ‘mashed together like the tomatoes on the cover of Laila’s favorite book.’ He talks to his classmates to find out why they are drawn to certain books. In Laila’s case, it is not because she wants to be a horticulturalist!

The illustrations are dynamic, yet restful, with a pastel blue and orange colour palette. Santat is gifted in his character’s expressions and the layout of the illustrations on a largely white background. The end pages show detailed drawings of airplanes, stretching across from the inner jacket flap, where Arnold is happily immersed in a bean bag, reading about the planes. I read a library copy with plastic wrap over the jacket, so I could not see if there was a different cover underneath.

This book will stimulate discussion about book banning and thought policing, and who has the power to dictate what we read and think. Unsurprisingly, the creators have been banned from speaking about The Day the Books Disappeared at schools (and, likely, many festivals). Kudos to the authors, Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, for using their platforms to speak up for Palestine.

Disney Hyperion 2025

Joanna Ho

Caroline Kusin Pritchard

Dan Santat

Zewlan Moor is the author of Nothing Alike, The Bill Dup and Our World: Philippines. Her next book, Say Hello Like an Armadillo is out in the US/UK in June 2026 and Australia in Summer 2026-7. Pre-order or add it to your Goodreads Want To Read shelf now!