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Battle of the Books

Illustrated by James Rey Sanchez
Published by little bee books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book


It's time to choose a bedtime story! In this hilarious competition for the right to be read, may the best book win!


"A humorous approach to the dilemma of choosing just one bedtime story."--Kirkus Reviews

In Josh's bedroom, tension mounts as each of his books battle over who will be chosen for story time. It's every book for itself-until Pirate Book needs rescuing, and the books must use their unique talents to save him. But when story time arrives, the battle resumes.

This energetic picture book celebrates the magic of stories and the joy of choosing your favorite books.

About The Author

About The Illustrator

Product Details

  • Publisher: little bee books (August 23, 2022)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781499814163
  • Grades: P - 1
  • Ages: 3 - 6

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Raves and Reviews

The books on Josh's shelf are at war.
Each one is vying to be the book that the boy wants to read most for "story time tonight!" Pirate Book says, "Josh wants a rousin' tale with deadly swords and treasure hoards!" Poem Book states, "Let me through! Roses are red. Violets are blue. Josh will pick me. He will not pick you." Joke Book counters with, "At least I make Josh laugh!" Spouting hilarious dialogue, the amusingly rendered books, pictured with anthropomorphic features-Joke Book with Groucho-like glasses, nose, and moustache; Pirate Book with a black eye patch and red bandanna; and Poem Book with daisies for eyes-jostle and push. Space Book, Dinosaur Book, and Pop-Up Book join the crowd, all fighting against each other until poor Pirate Book is pushed to the floor, where shark toys lurk under the bed. Quickly, the books unite to rescue Pirate Book. Pop-Up Book has a "spectacularly designed staircase" that tumbles out of its castle to save the day. By the time Josh and Grammie (who both have light brown skin and dark hair, with Grammie's turning a little gray) come in to choose a bedtime story, all the books are tucked away on their shelves, still worried over Josh's pick. The boy surprises them by choosing his many favorites (the six featured books), and Grammie agrees to read them all.
A humorous approach to the dilemma of choosing just one bedtime story.

– Kirkus Reviews

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More books from this illustrator: James Rey Sanchez