When I first saw the online reader copy of I Want to Read All the Books I skipped over it. Somewhat ironically, as I do want to read all the books, but I know I cannot, so I have to choose. But then I saw that it was by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. And that sealed the deal and I was thinking that I must read. Ohi is one of those authors/illustrators of books that you need to read. Maybe you do not love the work, but you will appreciate it. She is quirky, sweet and fun. And with their I Want to Read we have all that and more. The only drawback is that this picture book is not due until mid-September 2024.
But if you can find a reader’s copy or are a bit more patient than I am, I hope you, Dear Reader of my Review, feel the same way I did about it. Because, I have never felt more seen! While, unlike our young heroine, I do not want to read all the books to answer my questions (she has A LOT of questions), I do want to read all the books to have fun! This is an adorable story and the ending is fabulous! Our young narrator tells us how she wants to read every book. And does. Almost. She reads all the books she has, all the books her brother has, all the books that are in her friends homes and when mom takes her to a special place (the bookstore) she loudly exclaims, We will take them all! (Mom is more conservative.) As she does in the first library. But when she gets to the second special library, we run into a snag, with a clever and (as I said) fabulous ending.
The art is cute and the whole package is a treat. If you can only read one book (but you should try for more) this is the one to read!