• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 7

Reader, don't waste your time with this book. “You might as well stick it back on the shelf,” the narrator warns. “Or toss it under your bed. You don't need to read it because it looks like nothing happens in this book.” But, wait, he's spotted something. There's a trumpet without a trumpeter. And there's a tiny car without a driver. And a baton without a twirler. Maybe if you keep turning the pages, you'll find out who is missing these items. Maybe they are all together, getting ready to do something awesome. Maybe something amazing does happen in this book after all!

The text and visual narrative work hand in hand in this playful, page-turning meta picture book, encouraging children to join in on the quest to find the seemingly missing story. By speaking directly to readers, Judy Ann Sadler's intriguing story piques their curiosity, and award-winning Vigg's quirky, humorous illustrations slowly reveal hints about the story that allow readers to piece together the mystery before the narrator does. This book makes for an engaging read-aloud that invites enthusiastic audience participation. The question underlying all the fun --- what elements are needed for a story? --- couples nicely with classroom story-building and writing exercises. In a special touch, the busy parade at the end of the book appears on a gatefold spread.

D’aussi loin qu’elle se souvienne, JUDY ANN SADLER a toujours aimé lire, écrire et fabriquer des objets. Alors que ses enfants étaient encore tout petits, elle a décidé de combiner son amour des mots et sa passion du bricolage afin d’écrire des livres d’artisanat. Elle en a plus de 20 à son actif, en plus d’albums, de dizaines de chroniques d’artisanat et de nombreux articles de magazines. Judy Ann vit avec sa famille à London, en Ontario.

Ever since she could remember, JUDY ANN SADLER has loved to read, write, and make things. When her kids were little, she decided to combine her love of words and crafts by writing craft books. Along with over twenty craft books, Judy Ann has written picture books, dozens of craft columns, and numerous magazine features. Judy Ann lives with her family in London, Ontario.

Judy Ann Sadler's profile page

Vigg is a self-taught author, illustrator and sculptor. Born in Ottawa, he grew up around the world in France, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Switzerland. His award-winning work is published in major newspapers, such as the Washington Post and the New York Times. He has written over twenty children’s books, including the original French edition of Lost Inside My Head, the autobiographical Ma maison-tête (published by Fonfon). Recently he has developed a practice in sculpture to explore the third dimension of his graphic universe. He lives and works in the village of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu in Québec.

Vigg's profile page

• Winner, Best Books for Kids and Teens, The Canadian Children's Book Centre

... a fun read-aloud, encourages audience participation ...

CM Magazine

... engaging ...

Resource Links

... a genuine page-turner ...

Canadian Children's Book News

A clever book that children will want to come back to again and again.

School Library Journal

... perfect for poring over again and again.

The Toronto Star

A lively tale in which observant readers will discover---long before the narrator does---that in fact much more than nothing happens in this book.

Kirkus Reviews

Sadler keeps the pace at a quick march, building smoothly from quiet stillness to riotous fortissimo ...

Publishers Weekly