Debug This Book

by Omar Abed, Julie Rowan-Zoch (Illustrator)

A little boy enlists the help of various people, including the most effective person of all—the reader—when he discovers a bug is sabotaging his story in this laugh-out-loud picture book perfect for fans of Press Here.

Cody has just written an exciting story on his computer that he’d love to share with the reader—a.k.a. you!—full of adventures and intrigue and—AACK! What’s that? A bug? How did that get here? No worries, an exterminator is here to help! But wait, it’s not that kind of bug. It’s a code bug! It can’t be fixed by an exterminator, a handyman, or even a farmer.

Luckily, a programmer appears, but even she can’t debug the computer. She and Cody need help…from the reader! Maybe if the reader turns pages really slowly or really fast the bug can’t keep up. Or if they read in a funny voice, the bug won’t understand. Can Cody and the reader find a solution before catastrophic system failure?!

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Coding, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody is looking forward to sharing his awesome story with the world, but as he begins to read, everything goes haywire. A bug has appeared in Cody's system, and it threatens to wreak havoc on the story he has spent so much time creating. Helpers of all sorts are ready to assist, but nothing seems to be effective. Luckily, there is always one important step that can help remedy situations like these, but only by attempting it can Cody know for sure if his work can be saved.


This entertaining picture book invites readers directly into the action, first because Cody is reading his story to them, and then because readers get to participate in the process of debugging the book themselves. Written with a preschool or early elementary school-aged reader in mind, the book incorporates approachable and familiar language that will appeal to children while teaching them about the concept of computer coding. By using puns and intentional visual elements, the narrative helps readers better understand how words can relate to different things, particularly within the context of computers. Cartoon-like imagery blends humans with a digital-appearing background to make the book feel more viscerally connected to the idea of a computer as a tangible locale rather than just an object to be managed. A variety of ages and skin tones are featured in the people of the book, which adds to the diversity of the story. Back matter includes a note about coding that goes into more detail about this process in a way that children can comprehend, helping them to more clearly envision the work of computer programmers. Additionally, Cody’s real story is included for curious readers who are looking forward to that aspect of the book. Educational and interactive, this picture book is a fun addition to STEM-themed Storytime sessions for upper preschool and early elementary school-aged readers.

[Kenzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was different from most children’s books. As you read, the book asks you to help fix the bug, which makes you feel like you’re actually part of the story.

My favorite part was how interactive the book was. Instead of just reading, you get to follow directions and help Cody solve the problem. The book kept my attention because I never knew what was going to happen next.

Overall, I think Debug This Book is a fun book that makes reading more exciting and is a great choice for kids who like stories with surprises.

[Gayatri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor filled reading at its finest.

It’s a fun and attention grabbing read aloud that will undoubtedly become a favorite in preschool libraries.

The illustrations are vivacious and match the puns and jokes with creative flair.

[swalterich · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing better than an interactive storybook to guarantee an engaging storytime, and this one delivers while also introducing an important computing concept to the littlest learners. Cody has just finished a magnificent story he wants to share, but before he can he discovers a bug–pictured as an actual bug–in his story. The more everyone tries to help him get rid of it, the more his story becomes ruined. Once he figures out that turning the pages is causing the disaster, he turns to the reader, reminiscent of Grover in the Monster at the End of this Book, for help. This isn’t what works–because following this path will never get the reader to the story’s conclusion–but it is an action on the reader’s part that’s needed for the solution, providing a satisfying ending for children. The cause of the problem, when it’s finally revealed, will be something that most kids will relate to and likely to provide a few giggles. My only wish was that there was something a little more puzzling for the readers to figure out, similar to actual debugging, but the concept can be introduced after reading. Included in the endpapers is some additional information defining and explaining the term debugging, as well as an explanation about where the term came from. A recommended purchase for any elementary school library, and one I will definitely be purchasing for my own.

[Kirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, fun, engaging read for kindergarten to second graders (and their adults) to learn, laugh, and be silly over 48 pages of smart text and engaging illustrations. With vibes of the classic, The Monster at the End of this Book, yes the Little Golden Book staring Grover from Sesame Street, the reader is asked to help Cody (see the pun It is one of many), debug his computer. The book starts with a story not loading, because of a bug, when an exterminator and then a repair woman and then even a farmer show up and can't fix the book, Cody reaches out to the reader to try different strategies. The Muslim authored story has no Islam or religion in the pages, but truly preorder this one, and check out his first book for delightful clever stories that beg to be read aloud, over and over and over again.

[Samantha Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so obsessed with this book. It's a fun story to read, wholly interactive, visually engaging, and overall an absolute riot! Since kids these days (how old am I?) have more learning in coding than I ever did growing up, it has a fantastic STEAM bend. And if they're less familiar with coding (or, like me, their adults are less familiar with it), you learn a little and you still have an amazing time doing it. Looking forward to passing this along to the littles in my life.

From a review copy.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a clever book! The text and the illustrations are perfectly paired to take you on an adventure where you're secretly learning how the coding debugging process works. It's funny! It's informative! It really makes you think. My review is not doing this justice. Just read this delightful little picture book!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coding in a unique way isn't something I've seen, so I really enjoyed this book. Cody (I love that punny name) is a boy who's trying to write a story when his computer gets a bug. The interactive aspects and the little hidden details as the reader comes along to help Cody solve his problem are a lot of fun.

[Margrete Lamond · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This lively story introducers technological "bugs" and basic principles of coding in simple fun terms. This is a meta-fictive text where the characters break the 'fourth wall' and address the reader, asking for help in debugging the story, suggesting the reader stops turning the pages and other interactions with the physical book to eliminate the bug, which the reader eventually 'achieves'.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun way to discuss what debugging is in coding, but having an interactive attempt by the reader to fix the problem in the book. I intend to use this book for the beginning of our coding unit at my elementary school this year!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun picture book about what it really means to "debug" a computer program. Lots of chaos and fun happen before they get down to business. It is engaging, fun to read, and has great illustrations. Another fabulous book to add to your STEM collection.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kudos for an interesting concept of crossing media - the subject of debugging code in a traditional book format - and for its interactivity but it fell flat for me as I wonder if a young child would make the connection. But maybe that's just me. Inventive illustration by Julie Rowan-Zoch.

[Roba Rayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended a book reading of this book and I have to say it was very engaging even as an adult woman I found it hilarious and thinking about patterns was a lot of fun.
Great book for older kids 7-9 year olds as well.

[Y.Poston]

cute, relatable

[Alyssa Mandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny book about a book that gets a programming bug and has the reader do different things to debug the book. This would be good for a lower elementary classroom.

[Jessamine Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves this one. Interactive and fun

[Ev Sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was so good! I loved the part when Cody held up the stop sign and said don’t turn the page

[Melissa Elk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book that breaks the fourth wall as the protagonist invites the reader to participate. Word play and problem-solving too!

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fresh and exciting new book! Between the interactive part, the coding storyline, and the absolutely amazing and layered illustrations, this book is so much fun!