This gorgeously illustrated adventure is a book within a book. Alice (Asian) is irritated inside her house on a cold winter day. Bored, Alice stomps around and in doing so ruffles the pages of a book on the floor—an invitation to escape. Much like her famous storybook namesake, Alice falls into a wonderful world of talking animals and new experiences. First, she climbs into a tropical forest and is surrounded by lush flora and colorful birds—so different than the dreary scene at home! But when it begins to rain, Alice wishes for a warmer, drier place and steps through to a new page, onto the back of a camel caravanning through the desert. When a sandstorm blows in, Alice is off to yet another enticing environment. Visual clues provide hints about Alice’s destinations, and keen readers will search for an unnamed white rabbit that joins her journey. Ultimately, the aroma of dinner and cozy feel of her family home bring Alice out of the book and to the dinner table. Drawings of objects and décor in Alice’s dining room, such as the avian wallpaper, hint at the inspiration for an afternoon spent lost in a book. (Ages 4-8)

A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2023!

A Smithsonian Magazine Best Kids Books of 2023!



From Caldecott and Newbery Honoree Grace Lin and bestselling author Kate Messner comes a modern folktale about the joy of reading.



Once upon a time, there was a girl. She went to a place alive with colors, where even the morning dew was warm.

Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure, riding camels in the desert, swimming under the sea with colorful fish, floating in outer space, and more! But when her imaginative journey comes to an end, she yearns for the place she loves best of all.



Paired with vibrant illustrations, this lyrical, expressive story invites the reader to savor each page and indulge in the power of imagination.