"This Book is About Nothing" is a delightfully playful and imaginative debut by 14-year-old Marco Anderson, with illustrations by Erica Salcedo that perfectly capture the story's joyful energy. It starts as “nothing” - a quiet, peaceful book - but brilliantly turns into a riot of characters, perfectly capturing the experience of an introvert child learning that friendship and fun can unfold in wonderful, unexpected ways. While the visual and narrative chaos may feel intense without a guiding adult, children aged 3–6 will enjoy the humour and whimsy when shared with a carer. It’s a vivid celebration of imagination, connection, and the joy of welcoming others in - making it an ideal post-pandemic social read for curiosity and creative play.

A child is enjoying their own space in this book about nothing and is put off when joined by others. Eventually they embrace the company of others. A short and pretty spare book that the kids found amusing.

I went in expecting nothing and got everything—and honestly, that’s the best kind of surprise! Rio, the introverted 5-year-old narrator, tries to keep things calm and quiet, but nope, dragons, unicorns, and total chaos crash the party.

This book hilariously captures the struggle (and magic) of making friends when you’d really just prefer to chill solo. Plus, the illustrations go from simple to wild, perfectly matching the story’s energy.

Big props to 14-year-old Marco Anderson for turning a story about “nothing” into something that made me laugh out loud and remember how fun it is to let the chaos in. Perfect for little introverts—and anyone who loves a good, colorful mess!

A book that’s about nothing… I was so excited to see where this took us but, it fell short for me. When I made it to the ending I was like “okay?”. Although the art is beautiful inside this story, the story definitely needs more.

Thank you NetGalley & Marci for the opportunity to read this Arc.

Literally what the title says.

I love and applaud this bold book, especially in a world (and even in the publishing industry) where there's often this unspoken expectation + pressure to be good enough, to sell, to be woke, to just be something. Normalise nothingness!!! Make nothing great again!!!

A picture book that will appeal to adults as well as children in the 4 to 7 year-old age group who enjoy exploring language and are developing a sense of humor.

The best way to describe this book is a retelling of the “Cat in the Hat”. We have a child who wants a book about nothing, so nothing ever happens until a suitcase shows up. When it opens, stuff starts happening, but the kid doesn’t want it to happen. They want a book about nothing. A wise turtle says this book could be about everything and the kid is adamant; they want a book about nothing. But then they sit in their book about nothing and realize they really do want everything. This book is fine. I do really like the illustrations inside. I think the cover, while it perfectly illustrates the character’s feeling, is kind of bland. I like this book, but I’m not sure how much of a reach it will have. This is going to be one that will be sold by librarians and books sellers, not my kids tripping over it.

It's right there in the title. The book is about nothing, and it leaves you feeling nothing.

Unfortunately, another entry in the canon of 'trying to emulate BJ Novak'. The premise was sound (and that's being generous), but it didn't push any boundaries whatsoever. The art is fine, but not enough to redeem the lack of plot/purpose. I'm sorry, but I couldn't recommend this.

Well this was iffy. The book just does not tell you it's about making friends as an introvert in a post-coronasniffles world. No, that is a hundred per cent purely delivered by the blurb, and that's not how things are supposed to work. It's about a child who wants there to be nothing in the book they star in, and that just because a suitcase lands on the page with a dragon in it, who passes over a magic top hat wherefrom comes a grand piano and a unicorn to play it – there should still be nothing.

That might equate to the surprises, fun, colour and vivacity of having friends, but it probably doesn't, when first seeing it on these pages. The colours and life are delivered wonderfully by the art, but the whole concept of a book that just plain doesn't work without the back cover telling you what's what – that's not a success in my mind. What did I get from a first look at this? Nothing. All told, a generous two stars – even if the artist is worth so much more.

But I wanted more! This book started off with the perfect silly suspense needed for a great read aloud, but ended too quickly. Great choices in “characters “ popping in, but missed out on an opportunity for a problem to build and chaos to ensue.

I don't feel this book necessarily offers anything to it's readers. It doesn't praise relaxation, creativity, making friends, or ways to stop being bored. Everything just kind of happens to our protagonist. I would say this is a fine book, but I probably wouldn't choose to read it during a story time or be rushing to recommend it to a patron.

This was a clever book with an adorable, quirky MC and a very engaging illustration style! I read it with my 6 year old and she especially loved the illustration of the huge dragon stepping out of the suitcase. It's a simple and cute take that shows kids that it's okay to change your mind. I know it'll be a hit with the younger crowd who always get a kick out of anything absurd (this book is definitely not about "nothing")!

This is a cleverly written and interactive book for kids. This book will talk to you (or your kids). The minimal art is so cool (except the end part were suddenly it was filled with colors and artworks). I have read books with the same treatment, and this one probably has the simplest plot that I read. You might say that I shouldn't expect much. However, it will be cool if the author injects more stuff into it so it wont feel wanting. Nevertheless this is a good book.

This was really cute! This book is about Rio, who wants a story about nothing. But then a host of other characters come in and turn everything upside-down. The illustrations are adorable. I am impressed that this book was written by a 14 year old!

This book was a fun read! It starts with Rio, a shy 5-year-old who just wants a calm story about nothing at all. But soon, dragons, unicorns, and all kinds of funny characters show up and turn everything upside down.

The mix of silly chaos and bright, colorful illustrations makes it so much fun to read. I love the message that even if you’re introverted, you can still find friends and have adventures in your own way.

I can’t believe the author is only 14, what an impressive debut! Perfect for any kid who feels nervous about meeting new people but is ready for a little more something in their life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A small kid insists that their book is about NOTHING, no matter who or what tries to make the book about EVERYTHING. After the kid gets their way they realize nothing is a bit boring and decides to invite everything back in.

While I appreciate the kid embracing the chaotic everything, it would have been nice as well for them to be able to embrace the nothing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available on 11/25/25.

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. The illustrator did an amazing job. This book starts out being about nothing. The main character makes it clear the book is about nothing, but then characters start showing up and chaos happens. The main character decides by the end that nothing was a little boring and instead embraces making it about everything.

This is quite literally a book about nothing. The character wants to do absolutely nothing. Unfortunately for him, outside characters come into the story and want to ruin his book. The illustrations are very well done and engaging. I find the story to be lacking content. I was left wanting more.

This book is really cute!! Its funny and the kid (kinda) learns a lesson. It is really like the book with no pictures but it is a fun and wasy read.

I really wanted to love this one. The premise is clever, the illustrations are super cute, and I appreciated the introverted main character, especially in a world that often forgets quiet kids. But something just didn’t quite click for me.

It feels like it’s aiming for that Elephant & Piggie meta-style or the chaos of The Book With No Pictures, but it never fully lands. The pacing felt off at times, and the humor didn’t always hit the mark. I love the idea of a book about nothing turning into something wild and social, but I found myself wanting just a bit more heart or cohesion to bring it all together.

Still, I think some kids, especially those who enjoy silliness and surprise guests who will get a kick out of it. I’m glad a young author got this story into the world, and I’ll definitely be watching to see what he creates next.