The Story
A light-hearted picture book plays on the idea that reading a book is a very serious business
Reading serious books is a very serious matter. Or so thinks a seriously knowledgeable narrator who guides two young readers as they practice various ways of presenting a Very Serious Reader persona to the world.
For instance, wearing a stick-on mustache, glasses on the tip of your nose, and a pencil tucked behind an ear are all good ways to look studious while you read. And of course, every page should be turned with a flourish.
Humorously illustrated in comic-book style panels, this lighthearted picture book pokes fun at the idea of "serious" books and encourages kids to read what they like--because all books are meant to be seriously enjoyed.
Author: Mireille Messier
Publisher: Owlkids
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 9.53h x 7.09w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781771476584
Audience: Ages 4-8
Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2026
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 35
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2026
About the Author
Messier, Mireille: -
MIREILLE MESSIER is a serious author with over thirty titles to her name, some originally written in English and some originally in French. Her books have won a number of awards, including the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Hackmatack Award, the Shining Willow award, and the 2020 Christopher Award. Mireille shares her time between the very big city of Toronto, Ontario, and the very small village of Paradise, Nova Scotia.
Collier, Kelly: -KELLY COLLIER was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where she still lives with her husband and daughter. She has an identical twin sister and an older brother. As kids, Kelly and her sister drew all the time, mostly in an effort to "outdraw" their brother. Some of the books she has illustrated include the Otis and Peanut series, the Snail & Stump series, and the Sloth and Squirrel series.
Description
A light-hearted picture book plays on the idea that reading a book is a very serious business
Reading serious books is a very serious matter. Or so thinks a seriously knowledgeable narrator who guides two young readers as they practice various ways of presenting a Very Serious Reader persona to the world.
For instance, wearing a stick-on mustache, glasses on the tip of your nose, and a pencil tucked behind an ear are all good ways to look studious while you read. And of course, every page should be turned with a flourish.
Humorously illustrated in comic-book style panels, this lighthearted picture book pokes fun at the idea of "serious" books and encourages kids to read what they like--because all books are meant to be seriously enjoyed.
Author: Mireille Messier
Publisher: Owlkids
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 9.53h x 7.09w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781771476584
Audience: Ages 4-8
Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2026
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 35
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2026
About the Author
Messier, Mireille: -
MIREILLE MESSIER is a serious author with over thirty titles to her name, some originally written in English and some originally in French. Her books have won a number of awards, including the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Hackmatack Award, the Shining Willow award, and the 2020 Christopher Award. Mireille shares her time between the very big city of Toronto, Ontario, and the very small village of Paradise, Nova Scotia.
Collier, Kelly: -KELLY COLLIER was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where she still lives with her husband and daughter. She has an identical twin sister and an older brother. As kids, Kelly and her sister drew all the time, mostly in an effort to "outdraw" their brother. Some of the books she has illustrated include the Otis and Peanut series, the Snail & Stump series, and the Sloth and Squirrel series.
