A 2024 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts Awards Book
A Sunshine State Young Readers Award Nominee
'The rhyming and colorful illustrations make this a perfect book for introducing younger audiences to the magic of library books, and the self-referential narrative provides a great tool to help children understand the responsibility that comes with harnessing that magic through the power of our community libraries!' – Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, NPR Books We Love 2023
'Crowe's rhyming couplets conveys an exuberant experience of borrowing, reading, and loving books, brought to life by Joseph's whimsical, cheery artwork. A sweetly clever reminder about the intrinsic good that libraries deliver.' —Kirkus Reviews
'A library volume grows worn and weathered as it circulates through a metropolitan community in this picture book, its journey captured with jaunty rhymes... The overall effect whimsically celebrates the adventure that is reading&endash;for reader and book alike.' —Publishers Weekly
'Written in an upbeat, natural-sounding manner, the rhymed verses create a rhythmic cadence that will draw children into the saga of the book's experiences. Hand-drawn with digital brushes, the well-composed, vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and good humor. A pleasing addition to library collections.' —Booklist
'This book made me want to run out to the library! There is not only an excellent representation of race in the book but we also see different types of family structures, living and environments and ability.' —Youth Services Book Review, STARRED REVIEW
'A lively celebration of the library book's power to explore new worlds. It benefits from attractive illustrations by John Joseph as it surveys a worn library book... The magic of books and reading is captured in a warm celebration of the library book that invites young picture book readers to embrace the appearance and contents of a much-loved book. Libraries and picture book readers alike will relish Caroline Crowe's special message in this journey into reading and other worlds.' —Midwest Book Review
'The many journeys of one library book are the focus of this rhyming tale. Many will relate to the events, often humorous, such as spilling a beverage on a book, or reading it to a younger sibling.' —Association of California Libraries 'A librarian's dream book! It is so cute, the rhymes actually work, and it so much fun.' —Angela Moore, Librarian Buzz
'The humble library deserves to be celebrated with trumpet-calls and golden fanfare, and this wonderful book does just that.' —Armadillo
Praise for Caroline Crowe:
'Crowe's verses are crisp and upbeat.' – Kirkus Reviews on Tiny Tantrum
'The writing is bold and clear, making it easy to read aloud.' – YA Books Central on The Fairy Dogmother
Praise for John Joseph:
'Adults will feel a rush of nostalgia and delight in sharing this story with children as the animated vehicles and animals in innocent, colorful countryside scenes evoke wholesome character traits and values of growth, grit, and self-acceptance.' – Kirkus Reviews on Time for School, Little Blue Truck
'Bright cartoon illustrations of racially diverse generations show grandmothers and grandchildren actively swinging through a jungle and challenging a dragon as well as quietly engaging in pep talks and enjoying a seaside visit complete with sand castle building.' – Kirkus Reviews on Dear Grandma
'The marker-bright illustrations are frenetic and filled with humorous details.' – Kirkus Reviews on Chickens on the Loose
2023-01-12
A familiar, well-loved item travels from reader to reader.
The book opens on a busy library’s children’s room, filled with a diverse group of people. There, we’re introduced to a “tattered and worn” picture book (with the same cover as the one in readers’ hands). When it was new, the narrator tells us, Nia, a Black girl, was the first one to check it out; it proved to be captivating reading during dinner. Other borrowers—who also appeared in the opening scene—check out the book, reading it with a parent, grandparent, sibling, or pet. Some experience their first time borrowing a book or their first independent read; for others, it’s a shared delight. Brown-skinned Farhan finds the book a consolation while sick. Crowe’s rhyming couplets convey an exuberant experience of borrowing, reading, and loving books, brought to life by Joseph’s whimsical, cheery artwork. The book in question endures dog-earing (and dog chewing), wrinkling, and more as it is borrowed over and over. Conscientious librarians may wince at the worsening condition of this book still in circulation, but the message is clear: The pleasure that a favorite library book brings lives on long after an individual reader returns it, and its wear and tear are simply a part of its story. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweetly clever reminder about the intrinsic good that libraries deliver. (Picture book. 4-7)