Greetings, fellow wanderers of the Cognitive Realm! We’re thrilled to announce that Brandon Sanderson’s first picture book, The Most Boring Book Ever, is officially out. The hilarious release event, held at a local elementary school last night, was anything but boring. Joined by the brilliant illustrator Kazu Kibuishi, Brandon celebrated this milestone with an auditorium full of excited children and their parents.
If you missed the live stream, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with all the highlights from the event, including some behind-the-scenes fun, audience reactions, and insights from Brandon and Kazu’s live Q&A.
Don’t forget to grab your copy of The Most Boring Book Ever!
Event Setup & Vibes
Team Dragonsteel arrived early to set up for what would become one of the most entertaining book events of the year. From the get-go, you could feel the excitement as kids (and parents) donned Mistcloaks and Dragonsteel convention t-shirts, ready for the show to begin.
I managed to overhear some truly adorable conversations from the young audience members. One boy whispered to his friend, “Where’s that author guy? When’s he getting here?” Another muttered, “I don’t want to listen to a boring book.”
By the end of the night, I don’t think any of the attendees were disappointed. The book’s unique concept plays on the irony of its title—while the text may be purposefully mundane, the illustrations tell a thrilling, fantastical story. When kids catch onto this, it turns into a fun, laugh-out-loud adventure.
Brandon and Kazu’s Comical Start: The Art of Folding Laundry
The program kicked off in a rather unconventional way—Brandon and Kazu silently folding laundry. Yes, you read that right. In total silence, they folded clothes while the children burst into laughter.
“Kazu, look what we have here. It’s my laundry!” Brandon quipped, holding up a pair of socks. Kazu played along, deadpan, “I’m going to start folding.”
This quirky intro set the tone for an event full of lighthearted moments and genuine interactions between the creators and their young audience. It’s clear that both Brandon and Kazu share a great sense of humor, which made the event a phenomenal time.
Q&A Highlights: The Creative Journey Behind The Most Boring Book Ever
After the laundry-fueled laughter died down, Brandon and Kazu dove into a Q&A session, answering some insightful (and hilarious) questions from the crowd of elementary students. Here are some of the best moments:
- What inspired you to write The Most Boring Book Ever?
- Brandon: “My children! I wanted to create a book they would love. The idea of mixing boring words with exciting pictures felt like the perfect way to engage them and have fun with the format.”
- Kazu: “I’ve always wanted to illustrate a picture book. Reading to my kids when they were younger inspired me to pursue this, and working with Brandon was a dream come true.”
- What was your favorite illustration to work on?
- Both Brandon and Kazu excitedly answered: The dragon! This fantastical creature plays a key role in the book’s visual story, and it’s no surprise that both creators enjoyed bringing it to life.
- Was writing a children’s book harder than your usual books?
- Brandon: “Much harder! You have to choose your words carefully. Simplicity is key, but it has to be engaging at the same time.”
Kazu also opened up about his experience working on Amulet 5, sharing that while he was sick, he re-read the book and, due to memory loss, experienced it as though he were a reader discovering it for the first time. It gave him a fresh perspective on his own work.
How to Get Your Copy of The Most Boring Book Ever
If you haven’t picked up The Most Boring Book Ever yet, now is the perfect time! You can find it here or at your local bookstore. Whether you’re a parent, a collector of Brandon’s works, or simply someone who enjoys clever, tongue-in-cheek storytelling, this picture book is sure to be a delightful addition to your collection.
