I Don’t Want to Read This Book

I Don’t Want to Read This Book by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery (Scholastic) RRP HB $19.99
ISBN 9781761202261

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

I Don’t Want to Read This Book is a fun picture book dedicated ‘to kids who don’t like to read books.’ An irritated narrator talks directly to the audience about all the reasons they hate reading books… including this book! They highlight all the troublesome features of books, for example; lots of words, sentences and exhausting paragraphs. They are also frustrated by silly words with silent letters, ridiculous words with irrational meanings and the always predictable last page. Quite frankly, there are more important things to do than read a book.

This playful book is suitable for children aged 4-8 years old. No doubt, many reluctant readers will identify with the narrator and get a giggle out of the exaggerated display of disdain for books. The myriad of fonts, colours and page layouts will also keep the young audience engaged.

Fun fact: the author of this book, Max Greenfield, plays the character of Schmidt in the ‘New Girl’ comedy television series, as well as numerous other television and movie roles.