I had the pleasure of attending a recent 12 x 12 Challenge webinar in which the author and illustrator of today’s Perfect Picture Book discussed its creation. I had to buy it for the grandkids and share it with you!
Title: Debug this Book
Written By: Omar Abed
Illustrated By: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Publisher/Date: Atheneum Books for Young Readers/2026
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: coding, computer bugs, creativity, problem solving, storytelling, humor, all-dialogue, interactive
Opening:
HELLO WORLD!
You’re just in time! I’m Cody, and I’ve just finished a magnificent story for you…
Brief Synopsis: Cody, a young storyteller, has written a story on his computer, but he discovers a bug in it and needs to learn how to debug it, with help from the reader.
Links to Resources:
· Check out the Author’s note/Coding note to discover the meaning of debugging;
· Learn more about computer bugs;
· Check out these free bug crafts and activities for kids.
Why I Like this Book:
In this rollicking new picture book, young Cody discovers a bug in the program when he tries to share the magnificent story he has written. An exterminator, a plumber, and a farmer try to help, but to no avail. The bug keeps growing! Even a Developer fails to stop it. So Cody calls on the reader to help – breaking the fourth wall and engaging little listeners.
I won’t spoil the ending by revealing how Cody and the reader solve the problem, but if you guessed singing, whispering, or reading in a funny voice, you’d be wrong.
Abed wrote Debug this Book in all dialogue addressing the reader directly. Rowan-Zoch naturally created the bright illustrations digitally. The backgrounds showing the words careening across the screen show the bug in action on many spreads. Kids will love finding the tiny black-and-white bug appearing on almost every page.
For an illuminating introduction to computer bugs and problem solving, I highly recommend Debug this Book.
A Note about Craft:
Abed tells Cody’s story using first-person point-of-view. A computer coder himself, Abed clearly is right at home discussing computer code and the bugs that cause glitches.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 