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Book
In a world dazzled by the latest gadgets and mesmerized by Internet videos, the humble book seems like the most ordinary thing that could be. And perhaps it is until you learn to look closer . . . and closer . . . and closer . . . and you re suddenly in a world that only you can imagine.
With soft, warm storytelling and stunning, whimsical illustrations, Book embarks the reader on an imaginative journey through the literary lands of fact and fiction, a world where passwords, viruses, and broken screens can't stop a young boy's earnest quest for truth. Join in this celebration of literature, scrape the skies of opportunity, traverse the forests of what-could-be, free the powers of knowledge, and discover once again why the humble book is anything but ordinary.
With soft, warm storytelling and stunning, whimsical illustrations, Book embarks the reader on an imaginative journey through the literary lands of fact and fiction, a world where passwords, viruses, and broken screens can't stop a young boy's earnest quest for truth. Join in this celebration of literature, scrape the skies of opportunity, traverse the forests of what-could-be, free the powers of knowledge, and discover once again why the humble book is anything but ordinary.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2015
1 person is currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
David W. Miles
47 books33 followersDavid grew up in rural Pennsylvania. He attended Brigham Young University where he pursued a degree in Business Management. He worked several years as a graphic designer and published his first children's book at age 19. He lives in California with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
October 31, 2025
A little boy takes a closer look at a book.
Black words. On white paper.
No buttons.
No bonus levels.
Not a single sound, in fact.
...and you're suddenly in a place that only you can imagine.
At first...there's nothing really that appealing.
There's words. And pages. But what else?
They aren't as flashy or as bright as computer games...but then he looks closer and closer...and discovers something quite magical.
Like wild and whimsical worlds full of unimaginable creatures and friends. Journeys across space and time. And best of all -
You can say goodbyeWell, it should go as no surprise that I love books about books...and when there's a book about books WITH illustrations - ahhh. Heaven.
without feeling sad, because
you know you can come back
as often as you wish.
I can honestly say I never read a book like this when I was a kid - though, to be fair, I didn't have a lot of screen-time back then.
I liked how this book encouraged and challenged children to put down their screens and enjoy the magic of the printed page.
And I loved the illustrations that went along with it. Children's books absolutely hinge on illustrations and this one did not disappoint.
My favorite page? Has a dancing pig, a bird perched on a girl's head, an alligator in a button down and a grandma fairy with wings (which on a side note - the world needs more grandma-fairies. Fingers crossed that that becomes a thing!).
All in all, a sweet, calming bedtime book. Perfect for lulling kids into slumberland!
With many thanks to the author and Familius for sending this beautiful copy my way in exchange for an honest review.
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May 17, 2018
… and you’re suddenly in a place that only you can imagine.A book called Book about books! Of course I was going to love this one! Whether you’re introducing a child to the magical portal books open to anywhere you can imagine, you’re suffering from a case of the dreaded reading slump or you just want to feel the spark that ignites when kindred spirits find one another, Book is the book for you.
Book brings to mind the marvellous adventures you’ve taken between pages, the places you’ve travelled in your imagination and the lifelong friends you’ve met there. Focusing on beautiful books that you can hold in your hand, you’re taken on a journey…
Where imagination scrapes the skies of opportunity,It felt like I was in an enchanted land while reading this book, mesmerised by the awesomeness that is the written word swirling around in my imagination. Natalie Hoopes’ illustrations were the perfect accompaniment to David W. Miles’ celebration of books.
the forests of what-could-be stretch beyond the horizon
The cranky little critters with the sharp fangs that represented the viruses books are immune to, the shelter made of books under which the boy (our protagonist) is reading and the lightbulbs with wings were some of my favourite elements. My absolute favourite illustration shows some of the adventures that await you when you look closer at a book. Showing different scenes unfolding within zoomed in letters was such a gorgeous way of getting the point across.
I want my own copy of this book so I can revisit it whenever I want to be reminded of why I’m so passionate about books. I’m so glad I accidentally found this alleged children’s book. While I’m sure kids will enjoy it I think it’s adults who will truly appreciate it.
You can say goodbye without feeling sad, because you know you can come back as often as you wish.
October 26, 2015
Oh boy. This book made me weep. Right around these words:
"When imagination scrapes the skies of opportunity,
the forests of what-could-be stretch beyond the horizon,
and friends of fact and fiction make believe all
night long under the milky stars of possibility.
It's your home when you want to learn.
Or you need a friend.
Or you just want to be alone on the highest
mountain on the furthest planet in the universe."
This is one of those books that helps us grasp why books save lives.
"When imagination scrapes the skies of opportunity,
the forests of what-could-be stretch beyond the horizon,
and friends of fact and fiction make believe all
night long under the milky stars of possibility.
It's your home when you want to learn.
Or you need a friend.
Or you just want to be alone on the highest
mountain on the furthest planet in the universe."
This is one of those books that helps us grasp why books save lives.
March 18, 2023
Taking the time to review this book out of the many picture books that I’m reading right now because it is truly excellent.
The text of this book is descriptive - describing the worlds that we can find when we read books - but the illustrations are a perfect pairing of description and narration at the same time. I was immediately pulled in by the creative pairing of illustration and text. ‘Book’ is a powerful example of how picture books can not only tell you something but can show it to you in a way that you feel it too.
It will definitely be a keeper on my bookshelf and one I will encourage all of my adult friends to read as well because of the wonderful example it is of good children’s literature.
I wrote a two page essay on it if anyone is interested in reading more ☺️
The text of this book is descriptive - describing the worlds that we can find when we read books - but the illustrations are a perfect pairing of description and narration at the same time. I was immediately pulled in by the creative pairing of illustration and text. ‘Book’ is a powerful example of how picture books can not only tell you something but can show it to you in a way that you feel it too.
It will definitely be a keeper on my bookshelf and one I will encourage all of my adult friends to read as well because of the wonderful example it is of good children’s literature.
I wrote a two page essay on it if anyone is interested in reading more ☺️
December 3, 2022
Il libro è un albo illustrato per bambini fiabesco, unico e sognante. Un testo che, nella sua semplicità, spiega come sia meraviglioso vivere avventure magiche grazie alle storie narrate. https://ilmondodichri.com/il-libro/
March 19, 2022
Супер класс! Взяла Таисии, но конечно больше для себя.
March 6, 2016
LOVED this Book!! I wish someone had been recording my face as I read it, because where wonder-meets happiness-meets imagination-meets magic-meets memories was an unfolding delight! Especially the first few pages. Love picture books about books.
August 15, 2015
A beautifully illustrated book with a great message about books.
August 27, 2015
A book lover's delight. David Miles expresses beautifully why we read, why we love books with all our heart. Fantastic illustration as well.
December 31, 2015
(It'd only be 2 stars if the illustrations weren't so utterly lovely.)
January 7, 2017
A picture book about the joys of reading and a slight jab at electronics and how books are far more wonderful than any electronics
January 13, 2016
Before I say anything else, I really liked this book. I am a book lover and a kid at heart and the words, illustrations, format and production all sung to me. However, I am conflicted by this book and who it is actually for. It is a picture book but some of the language and sentiments speak to an older audience. Young children may wonder where the story is. Older children may find the illustrations too juvenile on first glance (which is sometimes all it takes). It is almost a complex or sophisticated picture book as there is so much in it. I love the message but wonder if it is more for the book loving parents to share with their children rather than for children to pick up themselves. Intriguing.
January 1, 2016
Beautifully illustrated. The collaged words will keep you searching for messages. Compares books to digital devices and games. Pondering how young readers will react and thinking it could be a good discussion/debate opener for how books and devices each have a place.
August 18, 2015
It is pretty, but the text is SO didactic and anti tech or alternate reading formats. I will take It's a Book over this one any time.
August 26, 2015
Fanciful, creative, beautifully illustrated by Natalie Hoopes. "Where imagination scrapes the skies of opportunity, the forests of what-could-be stretch beyond the horizon, and the friends of fact and fiction make believe all night long under the milky stars of possibility." Fantastic!
February 25, 2016
A BEAUTIFUL picture book about the power of...books. They do not have a switch, or batteries, or a password, and always work. The illustrations are stunning and whimsical.
A must read for parents with toddlers/preschoolers or anyone (like me!) who loves the power of opening the cover of a book!
A must read for parents with toddlers/preschoolers or anyone (like me!) who loves the power of opening the cover of a book!
April 9, 2018
What is it with all the books with no plot I've encountered lately? Kids do love great art - and this book really delivers; hence all three stars. Young readers also need and deserve a plot, some characters, and some active engagement. OY! There's not much story in this book.
September 17, 2015
An ode to the virtues of a book. Imaginative, interesting illustrations but I wonder if kids would like the book. Seems like adults might be the audience.
October 18, 2015
A new favorite picture book about the power and beauty of books!! A must-have for all book nerds!
June 2, 2016
perfectly captured how I feel about books and reading! and the art is beautiful!
February 21, 2017
The story itself was ok, but the illustrations are amazing!
November 26, 2017
Roztomilý příběh o tom, jak jsou knihy úžasnými společníky, mnohem lepšími a důležitějšími než moderní technologie, po kterých děti často sahají.
February 12, 2019
This is a gorgeously drawn and written book!
For sure will be a go to gift for me!
For sure will be a go to gift for me!
June 14, 2019
I love this book. Anyone who has a passion for reading and a love for books will love this beautifully illustrated picture book.
October 29, 2017
A beautiful picture book about the power and magic of books.
Picture book
Interest level: probably more adults; Reading level: 6.0
4 out of 5 stars
The text and illustrations of this book are a loving tribute to the wonder of written stories. The pages start as plain white with black text. The reader is told
The main character is a boy who climbs a ladder down into the fantasy world of the book where he explores all the possibility and comfort of reading. As the time comes for the child to return to the real world, we are reminded not to be sad that we have to leave the magical world of reading because we "can come back as often as you wish."
I felt that while some children might be able to appreciate this beautiful book, the higher reading level and formal language geared it to older readers.
This would make a wonderful gift for a teacher, librarian, or any bibliophile. The illustrations are stunning and perfect for the fantastical tone of the text.
book
by David Miles; illustrations by Natalie Hoopes
Familius, 2015
ISBN 978-1-939629-65-4
Picture book
Interest level: probably more adults; Reading level: 6.0
4 out of 5 stars
The text and illustrations of this book are a loving tribute to the wonder of written stories. The pages start as plain white with black text. The reader is told
This is a book.As the text on the page gets larger the reader can eventually see that each letter that was originally plain black is actually made up of beautiful storybook images.
Black words. On white paper.
No buttons.
No bonus levels.
Not a single sound, in fact.
It's the most quiet, ordinary
thing that could be
until you learn to look closer
The main character is a boy who climbs a ladder down into the fantasy world of the book where he explores all the possibility and comfort of reading. As the time comes for the child to return to the real world, we are reminded not to be sad that we have to leave the magical world of reading because we "can come back as often as you wish."
I felt that while some children might be able to appreciate this beautiful book, the higher reading level and formal language geared it to older readers.
Where imagination scrapes the skies of opportunity, the forests of what-could-be stretch beyond the horizon, and the friends of fact and fiction make believe all night long under the milky stars of possibility.
This would make a wonderful gift for a teacher, librarian, or any bibliophile. The illustrations are stunning and perfect for the fantastical tone of the text.
book
by David Miles; illustrations by Natalie Hoopes
Familius, 2015
ISBN 978-1-939629-65-4
August 1, 2017
Check out more picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Book is about a readers love of books and why they love them so much. It actually can be used to teach our tech savvy kids why the book page is still viable.
My nephew and I read this together and I don't know that he really understood what was being said or why, but he ADORED the illustrations... They are whimsical and fun and have so much detail... We talked about quite a few illustrations and what they were showing and we talked about how silly it was but how the boy was using his imagination.
An adult who loves books would be wise to teach their love to their children through this book! I included the cover so you can get a sense why the illustrations were so compelling... The text, especially in the beginning sucks you in and while I think towards the back it gets a little more adult in tone, it's the kind of book that will grow with the child as they age.
BOTTOM LINE: A must for any kid's library, especially if their parents love books too!
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
April 24, 2018
What a book truly is and where it transports readers is the message of this book and the message is shared in beautiful illustrations that carry the reader off into the magical land of words. The book begins with white pages on which are words. A word begins to stretch and expand until it covers a page and then begins to fill with color and art. Soon the images dominate the pages with the words that inspired them scattered around, among and in between everything. What is a book? It's an adventure, an emotion, it's . . . everything!
The initial words are a pragmatic definition of a book that quickly evolves into an un-worded exploration of reading. It is both beautiful and very meaningful and erudite. A reader could sit and ponder it for hours of blissful escape. The theme of the book is books, and what they are beyond mere words placed into sentences that become paragraphs that lead into chapters and then stories. It is a story of words, incorporating words, but showing how words engender thoughts, moods, and characters. This is a new classic in children's literature and should be required reading--thoughting?
The initial words are a pragmatic definition of a book that quickly evolves into an un-worded exploration of reading. It is both beautiful and very meaningful and erudite. A reader could sit and ponder it for hours of blissful escape. The theme of the book is books, and what they are beyond mere words placed into sentences that become paragraphs that lead into chapters and then stories. It is a story of words, incorporating words, but showing how words engender thoughts, moods, and characters. This is a new classic in children's literature and should be required reading--thoughting?
September 14, 2017
A celebration of the special attributes of a book (especially compared to electronic devices) and the places it can take you.
A beautiful ode to books and solid argument for books vs the allures of screen devices. Read this one with A Child of Books for a great compare/contrast or just a celebration of reading.
A beautiful ode to books and solid argument for books vs the allures of screen devices. Read this one with A Child of Books for a great compare/contrast or just a celebration of reading.
December 24, 2017
This is for older children with a larger vocabulary and imagination. It touts the benefits of REAL books that never need batteries, passwords or electricity. Books are always available for adventure.
The detailed illustrations can be studied over and over.
Merged review:
Great book about the adventures of reading. Beautiful illustrations.
The detailed illustrations can be studied over and over.
Merged review:
Great book about the adventures of reading. Beautiful illustrations.
December 27, 2015
Stunning illustrations accompany this whimsical take on "what is a book?" The contrast between white space, piece-meal magazine cutout text, and watercolor create a fantasy-like world full of imagination.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews