This is a standout picture book of 2026. It marries the mirth and consternation of children who know the grown-ups have it all wrong (as we so often do). Sophie AdBage is an author to watch as we rejoice with each fresh English language translation of of her work. Bravo!

Some books you finish and set down. Some books you finish and immediately hand to someone else. And then there are the rare ones where you and your nine-year-old finish laughing, look at each other, flip back to page one, and start over without saying a word about it. And Then We Saw the Bag... is that third kind.

When two sisters come home to a suspiciously tidy house, a black bag in the hall tells them everything. What follows is a rescue operation for the things adults decided were trash that are absolutely, obviously, not trash.

What makes this work so well is the honesty of the kids' voices and the portrayal of well-meaning parents who are completely, infuriatingly (or so the kids think) wrong. The rhythm reads aloud beautifully, landing jokes where you don't expect them and delivering them with total simplicity. This is the kind of book where kids laugh and adults laugh, and they're not always laughing at the same thing, which is exactly right.

The illustrations are distinct, not the first style I would have picked for this story, but my daughter was immediately captivated. She finished the book, grabbed paper, wrote her own story, and asked if we could contact the illustrator to illustrate it. I don't know what higher praise looks like.

Thank you to Arctis Books USA and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emma AdBage's books see the world through a child's eyes. I loved her picture book, The Wound, and she captures children's imagination and perspective again so perfectly in "And Then We Saw the Bag.." Families will enjoy reading this funny picture book together, and maybe be inspired to dig out some old toys too.

A hilarious and relatable take on the universal experience of parental cleaning with children! This book is a must-read for families with elementary school-aged kids, as it perfectly captures the chaos and humor of those "clean the house" moments.

Recommendation: Elementary school children will undoubtedly connect with this heartwarming story about parents attempting to maintain order while their kids see the world differently.

What worked exceptionally well for me:

* The storytelling was consistently hilarious, resonating deeply with both myself and my children. We laughed together, identifying with the struggles and absurdities of a deep clean, with my kids even pointing out specific scenes that mirrored their own experiences.
* The illustrations possess a charming, almost childlike quality that feels authentic and inviting. They evoke a sense of familiarity, as if created by a school-aged child, which perfectly enhances the book's targeted appeal to young readers.
* I was particularly moved by how this story sparked imaginative thinking in my children. It prompted them to reflect on their own surroundings and rediscover the potential within seemingly discarded objects. The concept of "The Bag" – a collection of broken items viewed as "junk" by adults but brimming with possibilities in children's eyes – proved to be a brilliant and insightful narrative element.

What, if anything, could have been improved:

* Frankly, I am hard-pressed to identify any areas for improvement in this delightful and charming book. From the very first page to the final, it was an utterly satisfying and enjoyable reading experience for the whole family.