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The Day the Books Disappeared Authors Joanna Ho & Caroline Kusin Pritchard @ APL Central

October 23, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Cover art for the children's picture book The Day the Books Disappeared by New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, art by Caldecott medalist Dan Santat. The title hovers above the image of a confused male-presenting child holding a book called "The History of Flight" while two other female-presenting children look at their hands holding nothing with the words "Poof!" over both of their heads.

We are proud to be joining all-star authors Joanna Ho (Eyes that Kiss in the Corners) and Caroline Kusin Pritchard (The Keeper of Stories) as they launch The Day the Books Disappeared, illustrated by Dan Santat, a timely story about a boy who is delighted to discover that he can make all the books in his classroom vanish…. only to realize he has created a complete disaster! Can Arnold figure out how to bring the books back before it’s too late?

Joanna and Caroline will be in conversation with award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon, a member of Authors Against Book Bans, and Dr. Frank Strong, co-director of Texas Freedom to Read Project.

Please join us in this lively panel discussion geared towards adults that spotlights Joanna and Caroline’s new book, celebrates the importance of reading freely, and explores ways to fight back against book bans.

This event is free and open to the public. All ages welcome.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Joanna Ho is passionate about anti-bias/anti-racism, equity and inclusion in books and education. She has a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley and has worn many hats in education including: English teacher, dean, and a teacher professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area.Joanna Ho is passionate about anti-bias/anti-racism, equity and inclusion in books and education. She has a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley and has worn many hats in education including: English teacher, dean, and a teacher professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Caroline Kusin Pritchard

Caroline Kusin Pritchard is the author of many books for children including Gitty and Kvetch, The Day the Books Disappeared, and The Keeper of Stories, which is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and received three starred reviews. She also cohosts the Kidlit Happy Hour podcast alongside author Joanna Ho. Caroline has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in northern Virginia with her husband and their four kiddos.

Organizer

  • Austin Public Library

Venue

  • Austin Public Library – Central
  • 710 West Cesar Chavez Street
    Austin, TX 78701 United States
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