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A realistic look at a girl who doesn’t like books and the journey she goes on to discover a world of adventure and surprises within their pages. The girl’s task is to search out all of the ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of the book, but first she must undertake a number of perilous quests as she encounters a cast of curious and compelling characters.
Considered use of muted, sepia tones in contrast with bright colours like the neon orange really help to highlight how the girl’s world is widened through books. Each page is brim-filled with details which adds to the world of the story enhancing the reading experience. Illustrations are well paced carrying readers on a vibrant visual journey full of wit and whimsy. Expressive and filled with layers of meaning and depth this is a playful, amusing and fresh story which offers a technicolour take on how reading can enrich our lives.
Illustrator’s Video
Shadowers’ Challenge
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I Love Books is a wonderful book that shows that even if you don’t enjoy things like school, homework or reading very much, you never know when you’ll find yourself buried in a book. I really like how one day, the girl suddenly finds herself exploring the wonders of books, when she had been moaning about it a few days before. I recommend this book to ages 6+, but really, anyone can enjoy it! I rate this book 8/10!
Iris
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I (Hate) Love Books is a funny story about a girl who hates books. At school, she finds out that she needs to read a whole book during the holidays. When her mother takes her to a library and finds her a book, she discovers the joys of reading. I like how at the start, the colours are mainly beige, white and grey which aren’t very colourful, but when she opens the book, her world becomes colourful. I would recommend this book to anyone above the age of 4 and I would rate this book 9/10.
Qianyu
Latymer Prep Shadowers
Can Wawa the bird find a way to help her friend to see that being different can be a strength. I think this book is an astounding representation of contrasting colours. I like how Yu Rong has used pencil and paint to represent different textures. My favorite page is when he is flying his kite at end. I would recommend this to anyone older than 3 and rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Ila
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I love hate books is a book about a girl who hates reading books and on the last day of school the teacher said have a good holiday and make sure you read lots of books. She was very annoyed and then went to a library and she looked and looked and did not like any of them so she picked one up and went home to read it and she got lost in it. I think this book is good because it shows that a story can be an adventure in your imagination. I rate this book eight out of ten because it just shows how much you can use your imagination and I recommend this book for three and over.
Arkady
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This book is a very lovely book in my opinion since this is a girl who really hates books but then she got a book from the school to read as homework and she finished the book before summer ends and it was like she was in the story since she got so hooked into the book. There was this story of her imagination and I thought it was really interesting. After she had finished that book, she went back to the library and read more books. I would give this book a 9/10.
Ashar
Latymer Prep Shadowers
‘I LOVE BOOKS’ is a heartwarming, touching story all about a young girl who absolutely HATES books. When her teacher assigns their holiday homework as reading ONE WHOLE BOOK, the girl is shocked and distraught! However, when her mum brings her to the library and hands her an exciting looking book, she starts to get other ideas about books, that they were not just endless words on pages and pages of paper, but adventures ready to be discovered… My favourite part of the book, personally, are the endpapers. The endpapers at the beginning are of the girl scrolling on devices, looking bored, but at the end, she is exploring different kingdoms and looking cheerful and excited. Another thing to notice is that at the beginning, the colours are bland and boring, but near to the end, it suddenly transforms from dull to a page full of neon oranges, bright yellows and vivid greens. I rate this book 9.5/10, because of the lessons hidden in an interesting and fun way, and recommend it to people from as soon as they are able to read.
Arzoi
Latymer Prep Shadowers
Veryyyyyyyy truthful! I felt like the main character was basically me (everyone hated books at one point). I loved how the shift in interest was so big, like one moment 'oh books are not my thing..' and the other 'oh! books ARE my thing!' It feels nice to know that someone went through that phase. The illustrations were also very nice! I loved how their interest in books somehow showed on their face! I loved this book!
Salma
Bellerive Bookies and Cookies
This book is a realistic overview about a girl who doesn't like reading at first, but as the book progresses she starts to enjoy reading and realises that it is all about finding the right book. I really like how Mariajo Illustrajo uses a scruffy and unique style for all her illustrations. One of my favourite details about the book is how at the start she uses a very dull and bland colour palette but towards the end we start to see very vibrant colours.
Sara
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This book is a realistic overview about a girl who doesn't like reading at first, but as the book progresses she starts to enjoy reading and realises that it is all about finding the right book. I really like how Mariajo Illustrajo uses a scruffy and unique style for all her illustrations. One of my favourite details about the book is how at the start she uses a very dull and bland colour palette but towards the end we start to see very vibrant colours.
Sara
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I (Hate) Love Books is an amusing story about a girl who hates books, but at the end, she realises the magic of books and starts to love them. I liked the way that Mariajo Ilustrajo illustrated this book so cleverly-before she reads the book, the colours are all dark, and in one or two tones (except the bright neons). We see a difference, however, as the girl opens the book, a world of colours appears. My favourite part of the book are the endpapers: the front shows the girl in dark colours distracted by different devices, and the end shows the girl reading different books and the colour is much brighter. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone above 3, and rate it 10/10.
Jessie
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a powerful story about the importance of books and how a girl grew to love them. My favourite page was when the girl enters the world of books and shouts ‘wow’. I noticed that before she read the book her world was bland and plain while after full of neon colours. I’d rate this book a solid 8/10 and good for all ages.
Jessica
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I absolutely loved this book because it was adventurous and magical. Her drawing method was so creative. The book includes amazing potions and fun characters overall. I was definitely stunned, I also liked when before she read the book the world wasn't colourful and everything was bland. While she was reading the book everything would pop out and was very colourful. I would recommend this book for people who don't like reading books and for people over 3. I would also rate this book a very solid 10/10.
Zaahed
Latymer Prep Shadowers
A hilarious story of a girl who thinks she hates books but soon is exposed to the wonderful magic of what she thought was just some words on a page. She begins to realise the power of books and how they transport you to different worlds. I love the use of colour that is used to portray how she feels quite bored before she begins reading, then she feels enlightened, and her world feels richer. Perfect for anyone who can read, 9/10.
Liam
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a book that I find very relatable and it shows that many people find reading boring but you can easily get lost in a book and it tells us that books are more than a bunch of meaningless words on a piece of paper but that they are stories with meanings and morals. My favourite feature of this book is how at the beginning the colours are boring and bland but at the end there is an explosion of colour that explains that the world is boring without books. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age and I rate this book a solid 9/10.
Matteo
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This book is a wonderful book because of the simple illustrations and the comedy of the characters in the book. It says if you find a book you really enjoy it can make you keep wanting to go to the libery to get another book. The colours start dull and the more she gets into reading the colours would become more bright and vibrant. I would rate this book 8 stars for illustration and 3 plus.
Camilla
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Hate Love Books is a lovely story. I like the drawing style and the dull tone used at the start of the book and the bright colours in the end. Mariajo captured the girl's hatred of books and she captured how a story can take you on your own adventure. I would give this a 8/10 and I would recommend this book for 3 and above.
Liberty
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Hate Love Books is about a girl that hates books. When her teacher tells them to read A WHOLE BOOK for the summer. She tells her mom about their homework and her mum suggests going to the library to get a book. She then chooses a book that her mum recommends. My favourite illustration is a full bleed when the girl gets taken away into her imagination and pops up in the rain forest. What I really like is how much colour Mariajo Illustrajo has in the book. I would rate it 5/5 and would recommend it for 4+ readers.
Ettore
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is an incredible story about a girl finding her passion for books. The book starts off with dull and bland colours but after she finds her passion for books it turns into a colour utopia because it symbolises that life can be so full of joy and colour if you let books into your life. Everything felt so magical and heartwarming in the story from the Enchanted Frogs to the Witches Castle to even the Jungle where she started. I would rate this book a 9/10 and recommend this book for ages 4+.
Jude
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a fascinating book. I love how the illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo used different shades and styles for different sections in the book. In my opinion, I think she has drawn one of the best illustrations of the 8 books. I also enjoyed looking at the different uses of colour. I loved the facial expressions and comedy of how the child doesn't like the books. I would recommend this book for anyone age 7+ but I think everyone would enjoy this book. I rate it 10/10.
Ermis
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This is a cleverly illustrated book about the journey a young girl goes on from hating to loving books. I like the use of bland and dull colours at the beginning to signify how dull someone's life can be without books and then when the girl opens the book suddenly the book from there on becomes a colour metropolis filled with vibrant illustrations. My favourite dps is when the pages show a map of the journey the girl will go on. I would rate this book 5 stars. I would recommend this book to ages 3 and above as anyone who hates reading can relate to this book.
Thibault
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I like this book because it has a message that reading is not for everyone at the beginning, until you get into it and actually try it. I really like the magical world she enters when she starts to read the book and all of the wonderful places she takes an adventure to. I also really like the use of colours, and as the illustrations get more colourful towards the end. I recommend this book to anyone, and I give this book a solid 7/10.
Jasmine
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Hate/Love books is a great book that shows that reading books is a great thing to do because it opens your mind into a completely different world. I like the scene where the book that she chooses is mysteriously glowing and has lots of bright colours coming off of it. I also really enjoyed the pages when she’s reading the book and It turns into a whole different story with different places like: jungles caves and different creatures. I also love the end papers because in the first end paper it has really bland colours, her on her devices and her looking sad but in the second end paper it has pictures of her reading books everywhere and is really colourful. I recommend this book to people who are over the age of 4 because the pages are really engaging with the bright colours at the end. I rate this book a 8/10 because I like how she’s always reading very deeply into the book.
Rhys
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a book that I find very relatable and it shows that many people find reading boring but you can easily get lost in a book and it tells us that books are more than a bunch of meaningless words on a piece of paper but that they are stories with meanings and morals. My favourite feature of this book is how at the beginning the colours are boring and bland but at the end there is an explosion of colour that explains that the world is boring without books. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age and I rate this book a solid 9/10.
Matteo
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Hate Love Books is a story about a girl who does not like reading and gets forced to read a book and goes to a library, starts to read a book and goes on a mystical and magical adventure. My favourite part of the book was when the map of where the girl went and where she was going was very interesting. I really liked how Mariajo Ilustrajo used light sandy colours at the beginning and as the girl started to read she got transported into a bright colorful forest. I would recommend this to 4+. I would rate this a 8.5/10.
Sebastian
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I really enjoyed I Love Books since it shows you how fun reading can be and how it can take you on magical adventures. I really like how the pictures showed her feeling like when the pictures were dull when she didn’t like books but when she was enjoying the book she used brighter colours like blue, red, yellow and more. I would recommend this book to people who don’t like reading yet, because it shows how fun it really is. 9.5/10.
Adam
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a wonderfully illustrated book. It is about a girl who is addicted to her phone and doesn't like books until her mum shows her the actual power of reading. My favourite pages of the book are the endpapers, what I love about the endpapers is that at the beginning of the endpapers the girl is on her phone and couldn't care less for a book but at the end of the endpapers she is in her own world of books. What I love about the colours is at the beginning of the book before the girl starts to read all the colours are bland and not exciting but still a touch of fluorescent pink on her boots. Then towards the end of the book when the girl goes to the library with her mum a bit of bright colour starts to leak out of a book gradually more and more exciting colours start to fill the page then suddenly the whole page is full with bouncing colours and really expresses how books can make your life much better. I rate this book a 10/10.
Kaan
Latymer Prep Shadowers
Letters in Charcoal is a fantastic book. I love how Juan Palomino has used simple yet meaningful pictures which add lots of detail. I also like how he has used colours to describe feelings, for example the page where the older sister is reading her letters and is surrounded by red roses. I really love the double page spread where the 2 sisters are lying down and have their wavy hair together like it is connected, they have ships in their hair so it makes me think that they are dreaming of leaving the pueblo. I like the idea that on the inside back cover that there is the true story of what happened. Overall this was a good book with great illustrations and great context. Although this book is for younger children aimed at 5-8 year olds, older children can enjoy it, I would rate this a solid 8.5/10.
Alex
Latymer Prep Shadowers
In this hilarious story, a young girl is distraught when she finds out that she has to read a BOOK. When her mom takes her to the library she finds out the magic in books and how books are not just written on a piece of paper. I noticed that in the start of the book she used bland colours but towards the middle and the end she started to use splashes of colours and brighter, more lively colours. I think that this book is for all ages 4+. I would rate this book 8/10.
Charles
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I love books is illustrated by Marajio Illustrajo. I really love the layout and how she used different types of layouts throughout the book. She started off with boxes and finished the book with a few pages of full - bleed illustrations. I enjoyed the concept of the book because when I was young I found it hard to find books I enjoyed but now I love books.This tells a similar story. I think many kids do find it hard to find books they like to read. It was very smart to use this concept. I found the fact that at the library the book she chose had a little creature wrapped around it very interesting too. Overall I rate this book an 8.5/10.
Aria
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is a picture book following the journey of a girl who dislikes books as she reads and discovers her love for reading. I found this book very entertaining and I could connect with it instantly. The fact that she believes she won’t like the book recommended to her reminds me of when I was younger. When she finishes the book I enjoyed how she “falls under the book’s spell” and continues to read afterwards. The art style suits the playful way this book conveys the message and I hope Mariajo Ilustrajo continues to make pictures for books like this one.
Selene
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This book is about how amazing books are and how they can take you anywhere. The pictures are really colourful and bright and have funny little details hiding in them. My favourite part is when she realises that books are actually really good . The characters look really excited and happy, and the pictures make you feel that too. I give it 9/10 because the art makes me want to read more of her books. Good for ages 4 and up who like reading and pictures that are made using pencil.
Nikolai
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is an amazing, magical book that just makes you want to go inside the book and have fun with all the characters. I love how when the girl tries the book, she enjoys it and goes on an imaginary adventure that truly brings out the meaning of books. This book really tells me that you won’t know what will happen unless you try it and that everyone has their perfect book and that books aren’t just words on a piece of paper, but they’re creative adventures to be enjoyed. I love how at the beginning of the endpapers, there are multiple illustrations of the girl and all of them have her with a phone and looks unhappy, but at the end of the endpapers there are illustrations of the girl in her imaginary world. Mariajo Ilustrajo uses a sketchy, neat technique that just stands out and the colours she uses really match together. I love her illustrations when the girl goes on the adventure and she really brings out the magic in the book. I will rate this a solid 10/10 and I recommend it to children over the age of 5.
Paris
Latymer Prep Shadowers
Keisha and I personally loved this book. Like the book name its a girl who hated books then starts loving them. We would recommend this book to any age group as its fun and inspiring. The red socks are the highlight of this book as everything else is grey.
Emlin and Keisha
ST PAULS STARS
In I Love Books, a reluctant young reader is horrified to learn she must read over the holidays. But everything changes when her sister helps her find the right book at the library. As the story draws her in, her world—once black and white—transforms into a vibrant, imaginative adventure with foxes, pirates, witches, and magic. Mariajo Ilustrajo’s playful, expressive illustrations shift from muted tones to full colour, beautifully mirroring the girl's growing love of reading. The message is heartwarming and clear: one good book can change everything. With humour, charm, and stunning visuals, this is a joyful celebration of the power of stories—perfect for bookworms and book skeptics alike.
Manha
Sale High Readers
I love books is great book. It teaches us what reading can do to us and our brains. The illustrations are very detailed and sophisticated, Mariajo Illustrajo has outdone herself. I like the use of different mediums as it really brings the illustrations to life. The girl has different expressions on her face throughout the book and this really shows her mood and how she is feeling. I like how the colour palette slowly, gradually gets brighter. I like the page where suddenly she goes from on the sofa to a bright, new world. I recommend this book for readers around ages 5-7, older readers can definitely enjoy it, as it teaches the importance of reading. I rate this book a solid 9/10.
Zeynep
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I love books is a fabulous book that I recommend for all ages. I really like how the illustrator has put so much thought into the drawing and how when she did not like books all the colours around her were really dull but when she started reading the book all of the colours around her started to become bright and colourful. My favourite illustration of the story is the double spread when she starts reading the book and she finds herself in a world of her own. I really like this part of the book because everything seems more bright and happy and it is a big change from all of the dull colours before. This book is about how reading is really important for you and that you have to try new things in life.
Otto
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I love this book because at the start she didn't even try reading a book and her classmate didn't like reading either but her other classmate likes reading books. I like the fact the story just changes with one page and all of a sudden , it’s a new book. I rate this book a 9/10 and recommend it to 5-12 year olds.
Jasper
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is an amazing book about a girl who hates books but her homework over the holidays is that she has to read a book. She gets really annoyed about this but then she starts to read it, and can’t put it down! I know many people can relate to this book :) I enjoyed reading this book because it is a slightly longer picture book and the illustrations really tell a story. The amount of detail put into it is crazy. In one scene there is one of the illustrator's other books in the background, the facial expressions that are used and the little bits of bright orange used. The only thing I would say is I don't really like the illustration used on the cover. Apart from that it is an awesome book! I would rate this book a 8.6/10! I would definitely recommend this book for 6-8/9 year olds!
Bella
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I hate love books is a lovely story. I like the drawing style and the warm tone used throughout the book. Mariajo captured the girl's hatred of books and she captured how a story can take you on your own adventure. I would give this a 8/10 and I would recommend this book for 3 and above.
Liberty
Latymer Prep Shadowers
I Love Books is an amazing book. I love how Mariajo shows the expressions and glumness through her face in the illustrations when her teacher tells her to read a book, and I love how the girl’s expression changes throughout the book. I also love how Mariajo illustrates the front cover with all of the blue sparkles in the background. I love this book so I will rate it a solid 9/10.
Leia
Latymer Prep Shadowers
This book is about a girl who absolutely hates books but it’s the end of the school the teacher says everyone needs to read one book in the holiday. So, she goes to a library with her mom and she goes to another world through the book. I love this story because it tells you that all books aren’t boring and if you like the book it takes you to a whole new world. My favourite part is when the girl goes to another world but she’s just reading a book. I would recommend it to 5-8 year olds because it shows them that reading isn’t boring.
Beatrice
Sandroyd Bookivores
I love books is a really good book because it encourages those who don't like reading to get into reading even if it is the thing you hate the most It also shows the sense of adventure and using your imagination to make things seem not as enjoyable as you would want them to be I think it exemplifies the idea that young children should get into reading and that is an adventure that can take you to many different worlds. Overall, I think that I love books is an amazing story that is particularly useful for non-readers.
Isla
Sale High Readers
I Hate Love Books is a fabulous book about a girl who decides she doesn’t like books without properly trying to read one. But when her mum tells her to read a book, she loves it and goes on a whole adventure, reading no matter where she is. Mariajo Illustrajo excels with this book, especially using colours to express emotion. Using neon colours, she creates magical fantasy creatures all in the mind of a little girl. I think Mariajo Illustrajo does amazingly with this novel, and I rate this book 9/10.
Isaac
Latymer Prep Shadowers
Thomas
Dovery Reading Gladiators
There was a hand grabbing on to her arm and her shoes started to change colour. She fell in to the book and her whole outfit turned pink and she was in a jungle with a rabbit. I liked how she got pulled into the book and her outfit was pink like a rainbow
Sofia
The 2H Book Worms
I love it because it’s magical and she got sucked into the book. The best part is when I saw the book glow
Mason
The 2H Book Worms
I really liked the pictures of all the adventures she had.my favourite part about the story was when she entered the jungle, put something else on and met a squirrel.
Florence
The 2H Book Worms
I think this book inspires everyone to read more because it tells us that when you read books its actually fun!
Finlay
The 2H Book Worms
I liked how they kept the ingredients a secret!
Layton
The 2H Book Worms
My favourite part was when the hands started to grab her and pulled her into the book.
Elysa
The 2H Book Worms
I liked how the book transported her to a magical jungle and it was really colourful
Benedict
The 2H Book Worms
Katy
BFS Umbra Readers
Aysima
BFS Umbra Readers
Erin
Inkscape Critics
James
Inkscape Critics
Xanthe
Sandroyd Bookivores
This book was funny. She started off not liking books then she found out that she did. I liked how the colours started off very dark and then they got more colourful when she went on her book adventures.
Jack
Big Bookworms
Nice, colourful, magical pictures.
Idris
Inkscape Critics
Ruth
Inkscape Critics
I personally enjoyed this book is because the way the author (Mariajo Ilustrajo) talked about a girl who doesn't really like and enjoy books and I also really like that there were surprises in random pages.
Japjeet
BFS Umbra Readers
the pictures..make you feel how she changed her mind.
Eesa-Queensbridge
Hackney Primary Reading Champions
I love books story is about a girl who does not like reading books and was set homework that required to read a book.However, she is taken into new world and falls in love with her book.I would totally recommend reading this book because it has amazing artwork.I love this book and I think you will to.
Isabelle
Dovery Reading Gladiators
Isabelle
Dovery Reading Gladiators
Hattie Y7
Sandroyd Bookivores
I like how she said "I need to finish this adventure " and she started loving books although she thought at the start , that books are terrible to read and she hated reading so much that even if her mum tried to coax her to read she didn't want to.
Avantika
Alexandra Readers
Florrians
Dovery Reading Gladiators
The book is about a ittle girl who hates books and is told to read one during the holidays. I really like this story bacause it shows where books can take you and the power they have on your emotions. They can calm you down. The illustration are clever because it showed little bits of what is inside a book. For example, there was a book about mermaids and the book had a mermaid tail sitcking out of it. The illustrations put a smile on my face. My favourite part is when the girl goes to her mum and her mum is dressed as if she was in the book with a squirel on her head. I would recommend this because it could show young people where books can take you and shows that reading is a lot of fun.
Beatrice
Sandroyd Bookivores
The main thing I love about this book is the different symbols that continue throughout the story line that show the main character’s development. However I do wish the book was longer as then the story could be explained in greater detail but since it is shorter, it makes it more accessible to people who struggle to read longer books :)
Freya
Loyal Judging Society
This book showed me how books can inspire you into making reading your hobby. It also shows that you should always give something a try.
Felix
King James Reading Royalty
Well done - I loved it! I love how the pictures became more colourful the more she enjoyed books.
Ella
Prettygate Junior School
I think that the book , ' I love books ' is a very interesting book and i loved it! I particularly like the cover and how it is designed. its really creative and colourful. I also love the fact that this book is very creative.
Aysima
BFS Umbra Readers
I really enjoyed this book and all of the illustrations. I loved all the intricate details in each drawing. I especially loved the page in the jungle because of the bright pops of colour! Overall i would give this book a five out of five!
Katy
BFS Umbra Readers
I like how before the child discovers reading the story is illustrated in monochromatic tones but when you get further into the story bursts of colour appear across the page. It relates to readers because loads of people don't like/read books but when readers pour through the book they actually find that they like reading. I find the page layout very interesting because it kind of looks like a map .It is very interesting to re read.
Olive
Hackney Primary Reading Champions
I like this book because it is about when you're reading a book you let your imagination guide you into a whole new adventure even if in the begining is not your kind of style
Ela
Alexandra Readers
I really enjoy the illustrations because they are detailed and colourful and I also like how the adventure map has magic places and how the girl is not just ordinary, she is imaginative .
Rosie
Great Coates
This book is about a little girl who goes on a crazy adventure with the characters of the books and learns to love books this way. I love this story bacause it is very relatable. Also, the illustrations are beautiful. They are quite basic but with some fun details. I love the bookshelves. I love them because of the contrast of black and white with lots of colours. I would absolutely recommend this book bacause it is funny, easy to relate and has great illustrations. If you don't love to read, this book is for you!
Zara
Sandroyd Bookivores
In this book, there is a young girl who is now on holiday from school. The teacher said, "Enjoy your holidays! Don't forget to read a book." The little girl hates books and she was surprised that her teacher told the class to read a whole book. She went home and told her Mum the news. Her mum said, "We are heading to the library." In the library, the girl's mum told her to go and choose a book. When she looked at the books she said, "They are all so quiet and still." Next, her Mum choose a book for her. She fell into the story world. All of a sudden she found herself back in her world. Then, she stared to enjoy reading .
Eliza
Read to succeed
I enjoyed the adventure. The illustrations were fun.
Daniel
Great Coates
I really love the way this book was designed because it started off very dull because the girl had no imagination but eventually there was more colour as she reads. The story itself is very engaging and can encourage people to read. This book would help people who are trying to help other people read.
Maisie
Loyal Judging Society
This book made me feel very sad for those who haven’t yet found their joy in reading because they’re missing out on incredible, magical adventures! The illustrations also help tell the story a lot. I would recommend this beautiful book for anyone who doesn’t like reading, because, really, it’s just about willing to try and find the right book for you – trust me, once you’ve fallen in love, you can never stop, EVER!
Eunice
Sale High Readers
This book tells the story of a little girl who initially hates reading. It is coming towards the end of the year and she is excited for the holidays, as she won’t have to read. However, she gets told by her teacher that she will have to do what she hates most; read a book during the holidays. At first, she is incredibly angry, but once she starts reading, she gets immersed into the book, and… can’t put it down! I love the story, as the message that is portrayed is really important and truthful as: if you don’t give reading a chance, there is no way you are ever going to like it. Most people don’t like it because of this reason, so I really recommend everyone to read it, specially those aged 5-10. The illustrations are amazing as they help us get immersed in the story.
Isabella
Sandroyd Bookivores
I loved I hate love books because its really intriguing and the colours are black and white which i really adore a lot. Out of 10 I would give it a 9/10 because there is no reason that i hate the book except for it being really short which i don't like because i like long books, but this one just looked like the one for me.
Charlie
Great Coates
Florence
Sandroyd Bookivores
The book is about a girl who hates reading, but needs to read a book for her homework over the Summer. At the end, she discorvers that books are fun. She falls inside the book and travels thorugh an enchanted forest, a bear cave and more things. I like the story because it tells you that trying new things is good. The pictures are bright, made with details which are realistic, whilst childish. I like the illustrations bacause of how the colours are combined and the shadows are used. My favourite part is when the girl finds out that she can't stop reading, and continues reading even when she is having a bath. I recomment this book to every kid who finds reading boring, because it is about trying things that don't attract you and they might change their mind.
Emilio
Sandroyd Bookivores
I thought the illustrations were AMAZING and most parts to me were particulary funny and i just thought it was great.
Evie
AE Shadow-readers
I really enjoyed looking at the illustrations in this book. I thought that the use of neon pink made a bid impact on the illustrations. For example on the front cover, all of the colours are really simple apart from the neon pink that stood out a lots. I liked the paintbrush strokes in the girl’s hair as it suits the story. As I have noted before: the neon pink sets the mood to happy but the pastels also sets the mood to calm. The images in this story creates a lot of movement. I thought that the story was fresh and creative as well as original. When the teacher announces that you have to read a book for the holidays, the colours all turn grey which links in with the mood in the text. This also tells me that the illustrations contribute with the meaning of the story. I loved the way how when the bad things happen in the story the text enlarges, however when the good things happen, the text is in its normal size.
William Patten - Tais
Hackney Primary Reading Champions
Morgan
Alexandra Readers
Avantika
Alexandra Readers
I really loved the message this book displays about how not everything is bad just because you think it is. This book is about a little girl who hates books at the start and really doesn't want to read a book for her summer homework but as she dives into the world and imagination of books, she realises there's so much more to books than just reading boring words. The illustration really links to the storyline and I like how the colours are almost "splashed around". Overall I would give this book an 8/10.
Elliot
LGGS Shadow Questers
Hugo
Sandroyd Bookivores
The story is about a girl who starts by hating books and reading but at the end she loves reading and wants to go back to the library. I liked the story because it explains to people they should not say they hate something before you have even tried it. Wonderful job, illustrators! I love the pictures. I loved the bit when they go to the library. I would definitely recommend it because it teaches people to love books.
Hugo
Sandroyd Bookivores
I like the book’s front cover and at the first the pictures had no colour but slowly when it came to the end it slowly becomes colourful.
Asmi
The Speenhamlanders
I really like the way that this book is pale at the beginning when the girl didn’t want to read any books, but when she borrowed a book from the library, suddenly, she loved reading books and the pages becomes brighter. I think personally that this book would encourage people to read books.
Kinga
The Speenhamlanders
I loved how at the beginning it was all quite dull colours all black and white and towards the end it is very colourful and it reflects on how she feels about books!
Emilia
The Speenhamlanders
I love how at first it was only black and white but towards the end it was all colourful and bright. The front cover looks beautiful.
Sai
The Speenhamlanders
I really enjoyed this book. The contrast of clolours from the beginning to the end was really interesting ,I also thought the use of the endpapers was really clever.
Isla
The Speenhamlanders
"I Hate Books" is about this girl who hated reading books and found out that she has to read one over the holidays. Her Mum took her to a library and recommended a book. When she got home she started to read it and loved it straight away. It filled her with excitement and adventure and it turns out that she loves books. This book is so inspiring and really helps you get into books. It teaches you a life lesson… If you don’t like books then you haven’t found the right one! I rate this book 5 stars and I recommended it to 6-9 yr olds. I would defiantly read it again and the illustrations are awesome. My favourite bit is when she is reading the book and she is in an adventure. I hope you enjoy this book.
Hattie
Sandroyd Bookivores
I hate/Love books is a really creative books.It teaches you a valuable lesson never judge a book by its cover.It has beautiful picturs and some of them are funny.
Florriana
Dovery Reading Gladiators
Sophia
Dovery Reading Gladiators
This book is about one girl who hates reading. She was happy because she finally had holidays so she didn’t, have to read! Unfortunately, her teacher told her to read so she was angry, but when she read the book, she loved it. I like the story. I like the illustrations. My favourite bit is when she goes to the library. I will recommend it because is one thing that happen in real life: if you don't try to read you are never going to like a Book!
Carlos
Sandroyd Bookivores
I liked reading 'I love books'. It's about a girl who is on a summer break and she really, really hates books. She had to read a book in the summer break. When she got home, she told her mom and her mom took her to the library. The girl picked an adventure book. When she got home, she read the book and she imagined that she was in a jungle and that she met a fox. The fox said "Let's get the ingredients for the spell." "What spell?" the girl asked. "You'll see," mumbled the fox. When they got all of the ingredients, the fox cast the spell and the girl's clothes changed. She went to the library again and she picked other books. The book was very good.
Saadaq
Read to succeed
I really enjoyed this book! I can also really relate to this book. The way that the illustrations show the journey it took for the girl to love books is amazing! I love how the colours show so much emotion and action as well!! This book would really help someone who HATES books to someone who LOVES books. 10/10 for me!!
Leila
King James Reading Royalty
This was an adorable book about a girl going home on the last day of school with a seemingly impossible task - to read a WHOLE book. But, with the help of her mum, she finds a book she loves and becomes engrossed. It is decided that she actually loves books. It was a relatable, funny story about overcoming what seem like challenges, but are actually just milestones to finding what you love.
Clara
Sheringdale Page Turners
I love books is a great way to show how if someone doesn't like reading books, if they just read the books that fit their style or likes then they might start to feel different about books. Also this isn't just books, it is everything! If you don't like something (for example: food) you might change your mind if you give it a try on something you like it with. Such as garlic!
Mylo
Sheringdale Page Turners
I like the illustration of this book because first of all, it really conveys the personality and the type of person the main character is. For example, in the scene where she searches for books to read, her wearing headphones show that she isn't really interested at all. As well as that, the books have dust, that represents magic, coming out of them, showing that there is hidden magic in books that you can't see until you start reading them. Also, it adds some humour to the book, as in the part after she was interrupted from reading the book, it still shows her trying to read the book, which I found pretty funny. Overall, I think that the illustration was quite creative.
Ovbiye
Bacon and Eggs Literary Society
It is about some one who hates books then reads one then love’s them. We like it because it is encouraging other children to read. It was brilliant but when the person talked in real life it was a bit tricky to read. We loved when the dragon chases them. We would recommend it because it interesting!!!!!!!!!! We love reading!!!!!!!
Archie and Leo
Sandroyd Bookivores
This book is about a girl who , when school finishes, finds out that they have to read a book over the holidays. She hetes redaing, therefore is not looking forward to it. Her mum takes the little girl to the library and suggest she reads a book she read herself when she was her age. By reading this book, the girl is then taken on a breathtaking adventure only to find that reading is now her favourite thing! I enjoyed the story a lot. The author cleverly persuades their young readers to think that reading is one of the best gifts for anyone. The illustrations in this book include subtle colours, with the combination of some vibrant colours. The drawing is cartoony and easy to make out. I loved the style of drawing the illustrator has. The colour pallet and the brush look beautiful. I love it! I emjoyed the adeventure of the girl and I think this is the best part.
Anastasiia
Sandroyd Bookivores
I really liked this book because it gave you a view on if you can read a book just once you might like it you saw in the book that the girl got told to read a book during the summer but she really didn't want to her mum persuaded her bye telling her to read a book she read when she was her age and it showed her really liking her book and I hope that's wats ill o in the future I think people that don't like reading should read this book that don't necessary like reading because it gives them and eye opener to give books a chance and its quite short but long enough
Elodie
Brockhill Book Club
It is about a girl who hates reading! Then she reads a book called "The Big Adventure" and she realises that she just had not found the right book and she starts to love reading. I really enjoyed the story bacause it teaches you that you need to persevere and you will achieve good outcomes. I thought the illustrations were amazing and you could tell what everything was. It was detaoled but very nice and simple. I really like the style of pictures. My favourite bit was when she turned a torch on to do some extra reading, when in the past she would do ANYTHING not to read a book.
Arthur
Sandroyd Bookivores
i like how it goes all colour full when she reads a book
Eva
Alexandra Readers
This was our first chosen book to read and discuss. Reviews were mixed. Our shadowing group seemed to enjoy it the second time we read it. Much discussions took place on the topic of loving books. Pupils enjoyed a bookmark activity - a bookshelf of books to love.
Librarian
QEGS CARNEGIE BOOK CLUB
Librarian
QEGS CARNEGIE BOOK CLUB
I love this book. It shows how someone who doesn't like books can turn into a person who loves books just by finding a book they like/love. It shows her in the book on a adventure with a fox who in the end turns out to be her mum walking her through to like books. I give it 4 out of 5. Best of luck.
Rene
Sheringdale Page Turners
AMAZING BOOK!!!! It was an incredible book with adventure in it and how a book can transform you into another world. Amazing for all ages. 10/ 10!!!
Emina
Sheringdale Page Turners
This is such an amzing book. A lot of the time you might think that you don't enjoy reading but then when you start a really good book it sucks you in and you can't stop. I think a lot of the time younger kids feel that reading is a chore and something that your forced to do at school but in reality it might just be the book that you are reading that isn't for you. There are so many genres and i think this book really shows that even if you dont think you like a book after reading a few pages you might end up loving it. I think this book is a great book for all ages. Although when youre older you might flick through it in a couple of minutes you can still look at the beautiful illustrations and understand th meaning behind it more than you would've when you were younger.
Isla
Sheringdale Page Turners
I really loved this book as it shows the power of books and reading and how you may think you hate books but all you have to do is find the right book for you and you'll realise that really, you love them. I also really like the illustrations as at the beginning in the library, most of the books look grey and boring except one. However, towards the end, she returns to the library and all of the books have magical, whimsical images spewing out of them. I also like how the fox in the story she reads represents her mum, who is trying hard to show her that reading books should feel like a hobby, not a chore.
Lara
Sheringdale Page Turners
An amazing story all about how reading can take you to different worlds and places. This book shows that even if you don’t like something at first, if you come out of your comfort zone and try something new that dislike can turn into love. The colours were beautiful and took me into a new world. I loved reading this.
Bay
Sheringdale Page Turners
Amelia-Rose
Inkscape Critics
Ethan
Inkscape Critics
Alfie
Inkscape Critics
I liked the glow on the library page. It really interested me.
Alfie
Inkscape Critics
10/10 I liked the cute cat.
Olivia
Inkscape Critics
Olivia
Inkscape Critics
Tani
Inkscape Critics
10/10 I loved the illustrations. I loved the spell page and the green theme. 'Pickled lettuce, dancing tree!'.
Mason
Inkscape Critics
I love the imaginative pictures. The pictures are my favourite ever pictures in a book!
Annabelle
Inkscape Critics
I'm not captivated by the front cover. Although, it is very clever how the illustrator used colour and composition to tell the story and visually show what it can be like to read.
Tani
Inkscape Critics
Florence
Inkscape Critics
I read last year's shortlisted book, "Lost" by Mariajo and really enjoyed it but I have to say this one was exactly perfect! I was hooked from the start, with all the wonderful, colourful illustrations. I love the concept of the little girl's journey from hating books to loving them and I especially enjoyed the "nods" to "Lost" in this book like the polar bear at the end. Congratulations on a wonderful book!
DAVID
Rebel Readers
I loved this book because I found the illustrations so unique and striking, even though most of it was in black and white. The illustrator made sure main character was highlighted, as she stood out with her neon orange socks. She was so colourful. The watercolours suited the feeling of this book so much, I loved that you could see every individual stroke of the paintbrush. The way the pictures described the story on each page, really stood out for me! Overall, I really loved this book.
Anna
Rebel Readers
this book encourages people to try new things and i would give its a 8/10 i think i
lawrence
Danum Doodlers Does Books
I think this book is fantastic and for the age limit of 4 +. But sometimes the pictures can be a bit full with way to much information for one page. I do think that this book is perfect for giving a message to younger kids - the reason being that it encourages people to read. The story is about a young girl who hated reading at the start of the book and at the end loves it because she has finally found the right book. This message will be quite similar to how a lot of people will be feeling because not everyone starts out liking to read, for various reasons but this shows that once you have found the right book the magic of reading will stay with you forever. The illustrations help because they make you feel like you are being sucked into a different universe and along for the ride. A great book overall.
George
The WH shadowers
This book is about a girl who hates reading books, until she finds out over the summer she has to read a book . Her older sister brings her to the library to get a book , she couldn’t find one that looked interesting, her older sister recommends her one . She reads the book and falls inlove with reading books . It’s shows us that reading isn’t all that bad you just have to find the right book.
Anna-Leigh
Academy Book Gurus
I love books is a very good book for 3-10 age groups. It starts off with somebody who doesn't like books and is inspirational for some children that do not like to read because not all books are for everyone. It shows that you need to find the perfect book for you. Overall I give it an 8.5/10 because it is an inspirational and creative book for young children.
Fintan
Academy Book Gurus
I really enjoy this book because it tells us about a girl who never ever liked books to suddenly like books this tells me how magical books can be and fun as well. I recommend this book to people who are not fan of reading or those who dont enjoy reading. my score 10/10
Liyana
Sale High Readers
'I hate love books' tells us about encouraging children to love books and it tells us about putting away our devices and spending more time with books. The story starts with a little girl who hated books until it was the summer holidays and her teacher reminded them to read books. Then her and her mum went to the library and got a book. The girl read the book and then she changed her mind and thought that she was wrong about hating books, and she wanted to go to the library again. I recommend this book for 5+ years as this can be appropriate and supports young minds when reading books.
Shiloh
Brooke Weston Book Busters
The book was very good because at the start it had a tail coming out of the book and she chose that book. Then she went on an adventure to see what would happen so it was a really good book. I enjoyed the adventure because of the adventure of finding potions to put in the witches spell! The age group I would say it's for is about 5-10years
harry
Brooke Weston Book Busters
It was so nice to read and it is helpful for children to read all about how she went to the library with her mum. Her mum gave her a book that she read when she was her age and she went home to read the book and after she stared reading she was reading it all day! I enjoyed the book and the pictures. I recommend this book to children age six to ten .
Emilia
Brooke Weston Book Busters
it was a show of what books can do 7 out of 10
Anton
Bacon and Eggs Literary Society
I love this illustration book! It follows the story of a little girl who, at the beginning, hates books. But when she is given a school assignment to read a whole book, she ventures out to the library. She picks a book and falls into a storybook world, with different characters. I think that Ilustrajo really captures the enticing nature of books, and how you are transported into a different, magical world. I would recommend this book for all ages, but especially children. Overall, I think the illustrations are what make this book so magical. I would 100% recommend this book.
India
LGGS Shadow Questers
Ysandre
LGGS Shadow Questers
Shreya
LGGS Shadow Questers
Aisling
Academy Book Gurus
This book if great for those who dont really like books. I like books but somethimes not 100 percent and if i read it,it makes me like reading again so for me this book is 100 percent
Liyana
Sale High Readers
what i like about this book is that she hated books at the start but she reads one and she just gets attached to the all the books that she reads
olivia
Danum Doodlers Does Books
Speechless....... That story reminded me of when I was young and never wanted to read until my mum gave me one of her favorite books. This book will encourage young children to read and experience what this girl and I did when we read our first amazing book. The illustrations are fantastic. My particular favourite is the little drawings related to the book coming out of the book! Not only is this story encouraging people to read, but also be a part of the particular book your reading, which Mariajo did fantastically. Illustrations are there to help the reader stay engaged and see what the words are describing- this was done perfectly.
Josh
The WH shadowers
This would be a very good book for young kids because its shows that you need to find the right book to like reading and not to give up. The pictures used are very detailed but very good at showing how different books can make your imagination run wild. There is a lot of different drawings and colours used which is good for getting the readers attention . I do think that some of the pages look very busy but the overall message of the story is a great one.
Harry
The WH shadowers
I Hate Love Books is a super cute book. The illustrations are very eye-catching. My favourite pages are: Pages 1 -2, the classroom scene with the teacher and all the children and, P6 -when the girl is told she is going to the library, to pick a book! "It's ridiculous, scandalous , completely outrageous. Overall, the book is amazing and full of wonderful colours! I give this book 8/10.
Jasmine
Rebel Readers
It's a lovely, quick story and so easy to get into and understand. The magical aspect and the quirky drawings, makes the book feel it is tied up in a bow - perfect! I found the dancing frogs in Frog Forest, very funny and a highlight of the book. On the first page I am pleased at the way in the school everyone has a different appearance, making it more representative. I loved that our main character wears glasses - for me, that really makes it feel more real!
Miley
Rebel Readers
Aarav
Bispham Bookworms
I have to say that I love this book and it reminds me of how I feel when I start to read books I didn’t like them before I read this book .🎀
Halle
Barrow Bookworms
I love books is about a girl who doesn’t like books but her teacher asks her to read a full book through the summer term. Once she starts reading a book she likes it and she can’t stop reading the book but she has to stop. She’s really sad. I would recommend this book to someone who doesn’t like books I wouldn’t change anything I really like it!
Eva
Barrow Bookworms
I love books It’s good because in school the teacher says that in the term you have to read a book but this girl doesn’t like books so she went home and told her mom but her mom said let’s go to the library. She goes to the library and picks out a book and she loves it and it gets in her imagination. I would recommend this to KS2
Ruby
Barrow Bookworms
I think the illustrations were very cute and cartoony and I like that art stile. It’s very creative because they but colours around the characters head to show that she’s thinking hard.
Una
Barrow Bookworms
This book is very adventurous and is a great book for young readers. It also has a lot of imagination involved and has a good story.
Oscar
Brooke Weston Book Busters
I Hate/Love Books is a wonderful story and it shows that books can be important for people . It also shows that books can be about adventure.
Chibuikem
Brooke Weston Book Busters
This brightly illustrated adventure story is a perfect read for kids who claim to hate reading, it shows how you can never judge a book by it’s cover. The starting pages use minimal colour but her distain for reading is captured in a comedic way. I love that as the girl starts to enjoy her book, her life and our reading experience become wonderfully vibrant and colourful with the introduction of bold colours. The illustrations in this book allow the reader to see what happens when we read – adventure, imagination, intrigue etc. The crossing out of the word ‘hate’ on the front cover is very clever, it is so often the case that children come out with this phrase – this book shows that all it takes is 1 book to change our view.
Mrs Whittaker
The WH shadowers
The book 'I Love Books' is amazing. It's great because it talks about a real life experience about not loving books, however, when you then start reading a book, you can't stop flicking the pages. I give this book a 9 out of 10. I would recommend this book to people that didn't like reading in the first place but when they started to get to know the book they actually really enjoyed it and reading in general!
Aarav
Bispham Bookworms
This book is about a girl who hates reading books and then loves reading books because the story comes to life. I like this book because it has good adjectives and noun phrases. I think it could have a bit more colour but the rest of the book is great. I would recommend this to years 3 and 4 and 5
Norah
Barrow Bookworms
I loved this book . A little girl says she hates reading she thinks its the worst thing in the world. Yet she sits down and reads a book and finds she is under a spell- the spell of a story. This shows that no matter who you are there is a book for you somewhere only if you look hard enough
anasstasia
OLSB Shadowers
This book is about a girl who gets told to read books at the end of the year. It is an inspiring book for children who are over 4-5. I have heard this book multiple times just because lots of people at school love this book. By reading some really good books, she was drawn into reading I love this book so much I would rate it a 20/10.
Sarah
Bispham Bookworms
I Hate/Love Books is lovely story and it shows how books can connect with people . It also shows that books can be about anything.
Layla
Bispham Bookworms