The Future Book

by Mac Barnett, Shawn Harris (Illustrator)

This book is from the future. In the future, books are very popular. One of the most popular books in the future is called THE FUTURE BOOK, a silly, innovative picture book from two of today’s best picture book creators to play aloud again and again!

You might think you know what the future is like, and what words and phrases we use. But lots of things are different here in the future.

Have you seen the color BLORANGE? You haven't? And how is it you say “goodbye” again? It’s not “YOU SMELL LIKE A BABY?” Well . . . that might seem goofy to you, but it’s absolutely normal for us in the future.

We invite you to listen to this book to discover what else has changed in the future, and to see just how certain word combinations lead to a silly narrative that will have you rolling in the aisles of the BOLLY BOLLY HOO HOO.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Storytime, Fiction, Juvenile, Childrens, Science Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never review picture books on here but y’all. My six year old (who thinks she is rapidly outgrowing picture books) asked me to read this twice in a row tonight. Twice!! In a row! It is the perfect book for former theatre kids (moi) to perform to their progeny at bedtime. Hilarious. Mac Barnett can do no wrong!

[Kelly ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this duo, my favorite children's book creatives. To that end, I gently place a fish on the heads of the publishers at Random House Kids and the authors (all of whom could possibly be named Charlie Cheese Face)-- it is so exciting to read a book from the future! It is an absolute feast for the eyes, with strikingly cool details (i.e. dust jacket). And it is hilarious!!! I laughed out loud more than one bazillion times.

Did you sneeze from your mushroom? Forgive me, Susan. And to conclude this 3 a.m. night writing, you smell like a baby.

Xoxo 💚

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to 2 2nd grade classes today and they LOVED it!

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Barnett hit a home run again. This silly book is perfect for read alouds and will have kids giggling. Illustrations by Harris complement the text beautifully!

[Susan Waltman · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book a negative rating, I would. It is the dumbest picture book I ever read.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The future world is shared in "the future book" in which different names exist for things, certain fruits don't exist anymore, and other words are used for goodbye than the one we use now, so a reader is introduced to all of the changes before then being told a story in which all of the new world elements are combined to share the story.

It's entertaining as well as super creative and can be used at any grade level. Make a few changes, then write your story based on those changes. Who wouldn't want to say thank you by putting a fish on someone's head?

[Erika]

The Future Book is perfect for kids with a silly sense of humor, and it’s surprisingly funny for adults too... especially those of us who sometimes struggle to understand the nonsense humor of newer generations. If you find yourself questioning trends and jokes (like all the “six seven” type humor), this book leans into that absurdity in a fun, lighthearted way. It’s playful, weird in a good way, and a great way to laugh with your kids instead of feeling out of the loop. Read it together and you might even feel a little cooler afterward.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! Did you know that in the future, the sun is called the moon and the moon is called the sun? Also, bananas are called apples and apples... well, I'll let you read about apples. Mac tells us all sorts of new verbiage in the future and then combines it all into an absolutely ridiculous Mad Lib-esque story!

Great for older kid and preschool storytimes.

[The Loco Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite goofy and ridiculous! I love it! Mac and Shawn are such a great duo! Highly recommend for anyone who wants to laugh and highly recommend for teachers and librarians and parents to read it OUT LOUD!!

[Emma Brackett]

So dumb in a charming way. It felt like a completed MadLibs where the kids went in afterwards and illustrated it. Would use this to trick my child into saying "You smell like a baby" rather than "bye".

[Grethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnett has done it again. A silly, wonderfully imaginative picture book that my whole family will enjoy, as an adult I may even enjoy it more than my children (age 3 and 6) but that’s Barnett’s magic - to both enchant young and old minds.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure this book will be a hit as a read-aloud, but I found it kind of boring that this book was only about language of the future, maybe some customs if we are stretching it, rather than the future in general. Plus, I'm not sure how creative calling things by their opposites is. Just saying.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It IS JUST SO SILLY! The kids will eat it up. Giggling like crazy. I love how they teach you the language of the future, then give you an example of how it would work. And leave you hoping to see them in the future (which is hilarious in and of itself.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digital ARC: Perfection! Could not stop laughing as I read it.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird and wonderful as you'd expect a Mac Barnett creation to be.

[Christie]

This is cute and funny!

[Emily Leitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bolly Bolly Hoo Hoo!

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I'm laughing out loud while reading it, you know kids are going to have a great time!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun nonsense!

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

So silly! I loved it.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious, and it would be such a fun read aloud for all ages! Love Mac Barnett!

[Mind_ofa_reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

It wasent funny, the pictures are alright and I think it would be confusing for younger kids to understand.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! I can't wait to share it with my students! So fun and silly!

[Brittany Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written about the future for the future! Super funny and super colorful! You will just have to read this book to learn all about it! Until the ..”You smell like a baby “

[Kevin Magpoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the future, this book will be rated with 5 bazillion stars on Goodreads.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun to listen but I do wish I could have seen the pictures, specially of the new color.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra silly futuristic fun!

[BAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! Imaginative!

[Chelsey Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly so silly and cute. My son has been quoting it for days now. He laughed hysterically the entire time we were reading it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and engaging. I can’t wait to read this with my students!