I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS

A precocious young reader has a lot of questions.

When Hana wonders where rain comes from, her mom suggests a book that might answer her question. “I’m going to read ALL THE BOOKS,” Hana decides. “That way I’ll be able to answer all the questions.” She begins her task with gusto and quickly devours all her own nonfiction books and all her adventure, funny, and spooky fiction before making her way through her brother Kenji’s books and all the rest in the house: “Mystery books! Self-help books! Romance! Science fiction!” After Hana reads all the books in the neighborhood, her mom takes her to the local library, where the librarian helps her find as many books as she can read, as quickly as possible—but a visit to the big central library quickly overwhelms the determined patron. If no one can read all the books, what’s the point of reading any? Luckily, Hana’s mom and a wise librarian propose that she share her love of reading with friends and family—and even the scruffy family dog joins in the fun. Accompanied by muted, simple artwork, the straightforward, somewhat preachy story is light on drama or tension, though Hana’s enthusiasm will resonate with young bibliophiles. Hana and her family are brown-skinned with straight dark hair; her community is diverse.

Slightly self-congratulatory but sweet encouragement for library patrons.