What do you think?
Rate this book
How This Book Was Made
You may think you know how this book was made, but you don't. Sure, the author wrote many drafts, and the illustrator took a long time creating the art, but then what? How'd it get into your hands? Well, open the cover and read through these pages to find out. Just beware of the pirates and angry tiger.
New York Times best-selling creators Mac Barnett and Adam Rex reveal the nitty gritty process of making a book . . . with a few unexpected twists along the way! Budding writers and artists will laugh at the mix of reality and the absurd as the story makes its way to a shelf, and a reader.
New York Times best-selling creators Mac Barnett and Adam Rex reveal the nitty gritty process of making a book . . . with a few unexpected twists along the way! Budding writers and artists will laugh at the mix of reality and the absurd as the story makes its way to a shelf, and a reader.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2016
2 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Mac Barnett
119 books1,385 followersBorn to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
December 26, 2017
This was not my favorite Mac Barnett - Adam Rex book. They’re both brilliant and I’ve loved many of their books.
This one for me was a combination of interesting and plodding. It’s a combination of non-fiction and fiction, mostly the latter.
The best part was the reader participation aspect that comes at the end.
It could also be interesting to budding writers, illustrators, and publishers.
I did find it humorous, I think more amusing than I’d have found it when I was the target age for this book, if the target age is in fact young and middle grade children. There were a few illustrations and parts of the text that I think only those past childhood would get. I do think adults will have fun reading this to children, if the children like the book.
4 stars for adults, maybe 5 for those who make or want to make books. Only 2 stars or maybe only 1 for most young kids, despite the attempt to involve the reader. For me I disappointing, but 3 stars overall. I liked it but I wouldn’t choose it to read to children.
This one for me was a combination of interesting and plodding. It’s a combination of non-fiction and fiction, mostly the latter.
The best part was the reader participation aspect that comes at the end.
It could also be interesting to budding writers, illustrators, and publishers.
I did find it humorous, I think more amusing than I’d have found it when I was the target age for this book, if the target age is in fact young and middle grade children. There were a few illustrations and parts of the text that I think only those past childhood would get. I do think adults will have fun reading this to children, if the children like the book.
4 stars for adults, maybe 5 for those who make or want to make books. Only 2 stars or maybe only 1 for most young kids, despite the attempt to involve the reader. For me I disappointing, but 3 stars overall. I liked it but I wouldn’t choose it to read to children.
September 7, 2016
Hilarious book with a powerful message--books are incomplete without readers!
May 10, 2016
I sat in my classroom after school today and read this book. It was magical. I've never laughed so hard while reading a picture book. This book gets all the stars and a hug.
So funny.
So funny.
October 2, 2016
I may not be as flexible as I think. I have really been a fan of the Mac Barnett-Jon Klaasen creations such at Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Subtle stuff, spare, elegant artwork. So when I saw this was Barnett's, I thought I'd check it out. It has this meta-fictional aspect that I like, too. Reminded me--in the title--of some of Jon Scieszka's work such as The Real Story of Big Bad Wolf or things like There is a Monster at the End of This Book. Calls attention to the construction of its own story kind of thing.
How This Book Was Made has that meta thing about it, obviously. I just prefer the sparer art of Klaasen. Yes, even for this wilder tale. And I like the idea of telling kids how books are made AND being silly about it, with pirates even, but I like the meta more than the silly in it. But my kids might like it more. If they do, I will let you know.
How This Book Was Made has that meta thing about it, obviously. I just prefer the sparer art of Klaasen. Yes, even for this wilder tale. And I like the idea of telling kids how books are made AND being silly about it, with pirates even, but I like the meta more than the silly in it. But my kids might like it more. If they do, I will let you know.
January 18, 2017
How This Book Was Made is creative, laugh-out-loud funny, meta AND have a neat message: "book still isn't a book, not really, until it has a reader."
Simply excellent!
And the wacky, amusingly literal, often ironic mixed-media illustrations fit the story perfectly:
If I still didn't convince you to give this book a try, check out this book trailer.
Simply excellent!
And the wacky, amusingly literal, often ironic mixed-media illustrations fit the story perfectly:
If I still didn't convince you to give this book a try, check out this book trailer.
September 19, 2016
Stipulated, I only read this quickly and perhaps I would have liked it better if I had spent more time on it. However, I didn't like it. I found some of it confusing, such as the picture that accompanied the author's comments about how the editor and he went back and forth over some of the wording. I couldn't help wondering if during this section didn't get finished by a now well known author going over the editor's head to that person's boss. Or perhaps that was an inside joke? While some of it is clearly meant to be made up and funny, I'm not too sure that the audience for this book, usually preschool up to grade 3, would completely understand that. The ongoing joke about how the slowest route is taken got old real fast. The whole little substory about a book falling off the truck only to be won back by the driver after a long series of events was pushing incredulity way too far to the point I didn't find it funny. And I think there will be parents who aren't too happy to see gambling in a book meant for preschoolers and primary graders. If the book's purpose was to be funny, not instructive, it didn't work that well either. If the point was to explain briefly how a book is made, I don't think it was particularly successful at that either. WHAT got fed into the machine that burped out completed books at the other end? These days I'd have expected it to be a CD or an E version but the picture made it look like an unorganized pile of paper was fed in at one end and rather miraculously turned into a finished book at the other end of the machine. I think the motive for this book was unclear whether it was entirely fiction or nonfiction and the amalgamation just did not work for me. Both the author and illustrator have done much better work.
February 8, 2017
If you are an elementary or middle grade teacher, you MUST read this book to your class. Even better if you are teaching a unit on writing or the book making process, but that's not a requirement. This book came a very long way and survived numerous hardships to get into your hands and the hands of your students. Just read it. If you don't, you may face a tiger and his posse. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I have read this book aloud with 1st grade and 4th grade classrooms and it is a huge hit every time. It even kept the attention of eight 1st grade cub scout boys which gains Barnett & Rex the status of miracle workers.
I have read this book aloud with 1st grade and 4th grade classrooms and it is a huge hit every time. It even kept the attention of eight 1st grade cub scout boys which gains Barnett & Rex the status of miracle workers.
September 6, 2019
This book takes the reader through the process of how this book was made. It is complete with tigers and pirates. The book is not a book until it is opened up and read, till then it is just words and pictures.
Colorful pictures help point out the process of creating a book. This mixed median of fiction and nonfiction will entertain as well as educate the reader. I would recommend this book for elementary to possible middle school students to learn how books are made.
Colorful pictures help point out the process of creating a book. This mixed median of fiction and nonfiction will entertain as well as educate the reader. I would recommend this book for elementary to possible middle school students to learn how books are made.
May 13, 2025
7 November 2016
We are longstanding Adam Rex fans, and I've enjoyed his previous work with Barnett, so yeah, I grabbed this off the library shelf. I'm not following a lot of children's book bloggers any more, so I'm not walking into the library with a list of items, I'm just taking whatever looks appealing on display or the New Shelf. Sometimes I recall someone we used to love and see what's on the shelf, but usually I find myself in a bookstore or library unable to recall the name of any author or the title of any book that I've ever enjoyed. Is that just me, or does it happen to other people, too? Or perhaps other people have other book-shopping quirks that I can't even imagine? Feel free to share. Anyway, Barnett breaks down the whole process of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book in a way that is both accurate and amusing, not least because of Rex's great art. I have no idea if kids in general would enjoy this, but certainly the already bookish ones would.
***
23 May 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. The Reviewers seemed to run correctly last week, but didn't run this week at all, and the Readers list hasn't been fixed at all. I guess algorithm don't care. Looking at the beta pages, algorithm loves stars.
Really I don't have anything to add to what I originally wrote. Still awesome. I still really love the MacAdam books. Metafiction in picture books is the best.
Library copy
We are longstanding Adam Rex fans, and I've enjoyed his previous work with Barnett, so yeah, I grabbed this off the library shelf. I'm not following a lot of children's book bloggers any more, so I'm not walking into the library with a list of items, I'm just taking whatever looks appealing on display or the New Shelf. Sometimes I recall someone we used to love and see what's on the shelf, but usually I find myself in a bookstore or library unable to recall the name of any author or the title of any book that I've ever enjoyed. Is that just me, or does it happen to other people, too? Or perhaps other people have other book-shopping quirks that I can't even imagine? Feel free to share. Anyway, Barnett breaks down the whole process of writing, illustrating, and publishing a book in a way that is both accurate and amusing, not least because of Rex's great art. I have no idea if kids in general would enjoy this, but certainly the already bookish ones would.
***
23 May 2021
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. The Reviewers seemed to run correctly last week, but didn't run this week at all, and the Readers list hasn't been fixed at all. I guess algorithm don't care. Looking at the beta pages, algorithm loves stars.
Really I don't have anything to add to what I originally wrote. Still awesome. I still really love the MacAdam books. Metafiction in picture books is the best.
Library copy
October 1, 2016
This is an awesome picture book for readers who have ever wondered just how an idea for a story becomes an actual book. Using humorous, kid-friendly language and fantastic artwork, the authors take us step-by-step through the publishing process. This could definitely serve as a good mentor text for budding writers; it also could be good inspiration for those who dream of someday writing and publishing their own books.
September 13, 2016
I was really looking forward to this one because I Rex and Barnett make a great team. But it seemed to meander a bit too much, which was ironic because the book itself claims to be the result of several drafts. There was plenty of funny and great illustrations, but seems to exist for itself mostly. I'm sure many will disagree with me, and I'm open to changing my mind, but it didn't blow me away.
January 21, 2017
A wacky picture book that rambles through the step-by-step process of creating a book. The approach is silly, but overall it makes an otherwise dry explanation fun. Observant readers will especially appreciate the visual humor.
February 16, 2017
I read this to 2nd graders. They liked learning the book production process and that THEY, as the readers, are part of that story. But they really liked telling me afterward what they thought was "real" and what was "made up" in the story!
March 13, 2017
Awesome and humorous picture book detailing the process of getting a book made.
December 22, 2020
This is some cute meta fiction that probably has more appeal to people in the publishing industry than to its intended audience.
June 3, 2017
First sentence: At first this book wasn't a book. It was an idea. Ideas can come at funny times. When I had the idea for this book, I went to a quiet place and I wrote. I wrote from early in the morning until late at night. It was very hard work. Soon I had a bunch of words on paper. Those words were a first draft. The first draft of this book was not so good. Neither was the second draft. Or the third. Or the twelfth.
Premise/plot: Love to write? Love to draw? Want to write your own books someday? This how-to picture book might just inspire the next generation to craft stories of their own. If it is nonfiction, it's OVER-THE-TOP meant to be hilarious to the audience nonfiction. (For example, he squeezes in some nonsense among his good advice. "But writing lots of drafts is a useful part of the writing process. For instance, when the tiger came back for revenge because I beat him in arm wrestling, I burned these drafts and scared him away.")
My thoughts: Barnett argues in this "message" book that a book is NOT a book until it has a reader. Once a book has a reader, then the book is MADE. I'm not sure I agree 100% with that. I would argue that there is a reader for most every book, and that every book has the potential to be some one's BEST BOOK EVER. I like this book, not sure that I love, love, love it.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
Premise/plot: Love to write? Love to draw? Want to write your own books someday? This how-to picture book might just inspire the next generation to craft stories of their own. If it is nonfiction, it's OVER-THE-TOP meant to be hilarious to the audience nonfiction. (For example, he squeezes in some nonsense among his good advice. "But writing lots of drafts is a useful part of the writing process. For instance, when the tiger came back for revenge because I beat him in arm wrestling, I burned these drafts and scared him away.")
My thoughts: Barnett argues in this "message" book that a book is NOT a book until it has a reader. Once a book has a reader, then the book is MADE. I'm not sure I agree 100% with that. I would argue that there is a reader for most every book, and that every book has the potential to be some one's BEST BOOK EVER. I like this book, not sure that I love, love, love it.
Because a book can have words and pictures and paper and tigers, but a book still isn't a book, not really, until it has a reader. And then you came along, and you read this book through to the very last page, which was how this book was made.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
June 16, 2017
کتاب عجیب و جالبو و خنده داریه در مورد اینکه یه کتاب چجوری تولید میشه و چه اتفاقاتی می افته تا به دست شما برسه. جزئیات کتاب رو از مرحله شروع تولید، تا چاپ نهایی به صورت جالبی بیان میکنه. از پیش نویس های اولیه کتاب، تا ارسالش برای طراحان و صفحه بندی و ... تا تولید نهایی کتاب در مالزی. حجم کمی داره و سیستم روایت کتاب تقریبا مستقیمه و به جز در چند بخش، که به طراحی مربوط میشه، تغییر خاصی نداره. نکته جالبی که داره اینه که با اینکه برای کودکان نوشته شده، بزرگسالان هم میتونن بخونن و بخندن، در واقع چند تا قسمت داره که فقط برای بزرگسالا خنده داره و بچه ها متوجه نمیشن :)
The art in this book was mostly made with black Prismacolor pencil on colored paper, acrylic paint on a globe, photography, and Photoshop.
The art in this book was mostly made with black Prismacolor pencil on colored paper, acrylic paint on a globe, photography, and Photoshop.
October 22, 2016
This book is just what you'd expect from this duo, funny and also truthful with a splash of absurdity thrown in. The author talks about how the book comes into being from the first inspiration (while arm wrestling a tiger) to the many drafts and back and forths with the lunch minded editor and the L_ON_N_G role of the illustrator to the printing, distribution and then READING of the book. It is a conversation with the reader and a lovely recognition of his/her importance. Funny but truthful with illustrations that move the publication along. A delight in all respects and a look at how books come to be.
March 10, 2016
I was lucky enough to hear Mac read this book himself and hear Adam (the illustrator) explain how he creating the pictures. It was so much more interesting than what I thought this book would be. I may be biased, but getting to hear it read aloud and having the author reading it how he would expect it to be read, putting emphasis where he imagined it while writing it, was very special for me, instead of having other people's impression of the book when they read it aloud (which is still important, don't get me wrong).
September 3, 2016
This book was created in a lab just for me, I think.
My favorite character, of course, is the editor who eats fancy lunches in a skyscraper and says, (paraphrasing because I'm already passing this F&G around to my colleagues at my publishing house) "I love your words. They are perfect. Now here are all the things I want you to change about them."
I feel like Mac Barnett is simultaneously working out his love and frustration for the publishing process, while throwing in silly fun things for Adam Rex to illustrate. Adam Rex and Mac Barnett are my dream team. THEY ARE THE BEST!
My favorite character, of course, is the editor who eats fancy lunches in a skyscraper and says, (paraphrasing because I'm already passing this F&G around to my colleagues at my publishing house) "I love your words. They are perfect. Now here are all the things I want you to change about them."
I feel like Mac Barnett is simultaneously working out his love and frustration for the publishing process, while throwing in silly fun things for Adam Rex to illustrate. Adam Rex and Mac Barnett are my dream team. THEY ARE THE BEST!
October 22, 2016
This book is adorable. I love the meta-narrative and the illustrations are amazing. I love Mac Barnett already, and after I realized that Adam Rex did the Chu books with Neil Gaiman (Chu's Day) and Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem (also writter by Mac Barnett), it turned out that I already like him too. Very cute.
January 29, 2018
Of course I got the humor and followed the course of events, but I'm sure any "sensical" elements were lost on my pre-school age grand children. My two-year-old wanted the story to be about the tiger (most likely because it brings to mind Tigger). I found the overuse of hyperbole to be tiring. I guess I just thought the whole thing to be ridiculous in the extreme. I'm not even sure that K-3 kids could sort anything out of this. I think the target audience can't be any younger than 4th grade.
March 12, 2018
Classic humor from the team of Barnett and Rex. I like when they think outside the box. This was a clever way to explain some of the process of a book being made--with silliness thrown in, of course. And the ending was excellent. Possibly too many words for a preschool storytime, but perhaps in a school visit.
3/10/18 SD picked this for a bedtime read. She smiled at the silly parts. And it held her attention. She said she liked it afterwards.
3/10/18 SD picked this for a bedtime read. She smiled at the silly parts. And it held her attention. She said she liked it afterwards.
October 21, 2016
I loved the mixture of facts about the writing and publishing process and elements of total whimsy (tigers! pirates!). Barnett seems to delight in doing the unexpected, which means I am usually surprised and delighted myself when I read his books. This one was no exception, and I especially loved the ending, when we find out the one last thing that was needed to make this book--the reader!
November 2, 2016
I thought I might have had enough of meta-fiction and self-referential art about "how a book gets made," but this book is absolutely hilarious and made me laugh out loud right in the middle of the library.
I'd love to read it out loud to kids and adults alike -- although the art is so well tied in to the narration that you would not want your audience to miss it!
A lot of fun.
I'd love to read it out loud to kids and adults alike -- although the art is so well tied in to the narration that you would not want your audience to miss it!
A lot of fun.
December 30, 2016
A humorous look at how a book is created...with both reality and fantasy in equal parts. I really like that it points out that it takes many, many drafts before the story is complete...and that it isn't really complete until it is read! Cute and clever and worth sharing with students. My 8 year old daughter really loved it!
October 8, 2016
This book is adorable!!! It takes the reader on a journey of how a book comes to life—from the first idea to the first set of eyes to read it. Fabulous! Funny! Sweet! Perfect for the early elementary reader or budding storybook writer. Fourteen thumbs up!!!!
June 29, 2018
I LOVED this book! As an author I particularly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek humor regarding the whole publishing process. And what a fun way for children to learn about the industry. I highly recommend.
September 9, 2016
Hilarious take on picture book publishing.
September 16, 2016
Mac Barnett's picture books are the perfect combination of funny and complex while still maintaining its childlike innocence and wonder. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews