I Love Books
Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023
Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025
From the award-winning creator of Flooded and Lost comes a magical story about discovering a connection with books for the very first time.
This brightly illustrated adventure story is perfect for kids who claim to hate reading, as the enchanting narrative opens their eyes to a fantasy world created by words on a page.
In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the end of term. No more school! However, she's given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? But she HATES books. But her sister takes her to the library - she says she has just the thing.
Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure: a little fennec fox leads her to meet fairytale witches and creatures, as they find ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of her book. At first, the little girl is dismayed to learn that this spell seemingly hasn't changed a thing . . . however, the little fox points out that she HAS transformed: discovering the power of her imagination has changed her forever.
This charming, engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Discover adventure on every page - and turn I Hate Books into I Love Books!
Review:
'Inspiring and entertaining story [...] a witty treat from start to finish'
* Mail on Sunday *'This award-winning author and illustrator is on top form.'
* Express Digest *'A little girl who says she hates books is encouraged to pick one up at the library and is thrust into a series of brightly hued adventures, with a mysterious masked creature transporting her to magical forests, a witch's cottage and more. This heroine is enchanting, as are the worlds she finds herself in, and Ilustrajo has a charming and convincing message about the joy of getting lost in a good book.' * The Bookseller - Editor's Choice *
"This charming and engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, leaving them with a lifelong affinity for reading."
* ReadingZone *"heartwarming story that shows us how the power of a good book can open up the world of reading and the many worlds we can encounter within them."
* JustImagine *"A magical tale perfect for encouraging a love of literature in little ones."
* Waterstones *"Readers are sure to fall under the spell of Ilustrajo's story ... a book that is sure to inspire a love of reading in anyone who has the privilege of reading it."
* CLDC *