Quick Look
- A delightful rhyming story from Caroline Crowe that traces the adventures of a very special library book as it is borrowed over and over
- A love letter to libraries that celebrates the joy that reading brings to children everywhere
- Full of bright, exuberant illustrations from New York Times-bestseller John Joseph
- Features an inclusive cast of children, brought together by the shared magic of one incredible library book
The story of one well-worn, much-loved library book and all the children who have borrowed it. A vibrantly illustrated celebration of the magic of books, libraries and sharing, with fun rhyming text.
Description
"Welcome to the library...
A room packed with stories from ceiling to floor,
Shelves of adventures for you to explore.
But each book has two stories -- the tale the words tell,
And the tale of the journey it's been on as well."
This is the story of one incredible library book and all the children who've borrowed it. It's been hugged, lost, torn, chewed by a dog and soaked in the rain. It's been read in apartments and in tents, in the park and in the classroom; by children in costumes and pyjamas, reading alone or with their friends, their siblings and their parents.
Each time it returns to the library it's a little more worn, but a lot more loved. For every rip, scribble or stain there's a child who has found adventure or escape, comfort or excitement in its pages. That's the magic of a library book!
This fun, rhyming text from Caroline Crowe celebrates a love of books and libraries, the joy of discovering a new favourite read, and of sharing it with others. New York Times-bestseller John Joseph's bright and joyful illustrations bring a diverse cast of children to life with humour and enthusiasm.
Reviews
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 (National Public Radio US) Books We Love 2023 selection
'The bright, textured illustrations depict a vibrant community of children from all backgrounds, with different family set-ups. Going to the library is a regular part of their routine, and they are shown sharing books with great joy. The rhyming text has a wonderful rhythm that makes it easy to read aloud, and the overall feel is of delight in the magic of books. This would be perfect to have in a school library, and to share at home.'
-- Book Trust
'A heartwarming story... captures the joy and wonder of books and the importance of libraries for our children.'
-- Scottish Book Trust
'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 – 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
'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
'This book made me want to run out to the library! […] such a pleasant feeling reading this book.'
-- Youth Services Book Review, STARRED 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
'The text bounces along with an easy rhythm and satisfying rhyme. Cheerful, colourful illustrations introduce us to a diverse range of characters, all united in their enjoyment of a good book. The design of the book cleverly reflects all the adventures within, complete with scribbles and stains, folded corners, peeling stickers and sellotape repairs. A library is a treasure-house, it’s wealth available free to one and all. The humble library deserves to be celebrated with trumpet-calls and golden fanfare, and this wonderful book does just that.'
-- Armadillo
'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.'
-- Donovan's Literary Service
'A truly magical read about the magic of sharing a book.'
-- FatherTeacherReader, Instagram
'It is upbeat and full of fun but also emphasises the thrill that can come from reading. It really is a wonderful book to read out loud and the joy is only added to by the animated illustrations throughout.'
-- BookishWayToPlay, Instagram
'A delightful celebration of the wonder that library books bring to children’s lives. The colourful illustrations depict a diverse group of book-loving children, and are full of engaging and fun details.'
-- LittleLibraryOwl, Instagram
'What a fun testament to the power and might of books, reading and libraries. The spreads depicting the library show children engaged and excited by books and a welcoming, comfortable and inclusive space for all. We highly recommend it.'
-- TheLittleLiterarySociety, Instagram
'One of the most charming features of this book is that the pages begin to reflect the experiences of the book - one page sports water marks from bath time story times and another has gooey bits of marshmallow from a campsite bedtime tale. If you love books and libraries, add this one to your holds list so you can become a part of the story too!'
-- Reading with Red and the Magpie, Instagram
'A lovely ode to public libraries and books.'
-- Picturebook Pile, Instagram
'Gorgeous[…]. We love [the] inclusive illustrations.'
-- WeReadAndSpark, Instagram
-- Nura's Little Library, Instagram
'The narrative celebrates community and the benefits of libraries but also the joy of reading. Sure, the book is tattered and torn and scribbled on with stains to boot but it was READ and enjoyed by so many! I love that the illustrations incorporate little scribbles and tape marks and stains across the pages.'
-- Goodreads Review
'My love for this book is truly beyond words. Crowe successfully manages to create a fresh and new story, one that celebrates not only the joy of books, but also each reader’s special part in that in the process. Joseph’s lively, cheerful artwork depicts a diverse community sharing a love of and commitment to literacy. A book that belongs in every library.'
-- OliviaTheLibrarian (Instagram)
Author
Caroline Crowe is the award-winning author of several books for children, including Pirates in Pyjamas and How Do You Make A Rainbow? She was a journalist for many years before making the jump to writing for children full time. Caroline lives in Hampshire, England, with her young family, surrounded by chaos and their ever-growing collection of children's books.
John Joseph is a New York Times-bestselling picture book illustrator. He has a degree in art education from Colorado State University and a masters degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. John's picture books include Dear Grandma, When Eleanor Roosevelt Learned to Jump a Horse and the Little Blue Truck series. John lives in the mountains of Colorado, where he is also involved with community clean-up projects and teaches Visual Arts at a local elementary school.
