134. Ivy Lost and Found

Ivy Lost and Found (Book Buddies #1) Cynthia Lord. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 2021. [September] 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Ivy's first memory was the birthday party. There was music and bright balloons. A girl's face lit up with joy.

Premise/plot: Ivy's owner is all grown up and a librarian (named Anne.) Ivy has spent many, many, many lonely years (well, it felt like forever) packed away and forgotten. Now that she's been rediscovered, she's joining other toys (dolls, stuffed animals) at the local library. Ivy finds herself one of "book buddies" that can be checked out for two weeks at a time. But she is NEW to this and a bit hesitant. Does she want to be checked out? Is being played with again worth the risks of the unknown dangers?

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. I did. It was a tiny bit sad--that she spent years forgotten and packed away--but this time makes up such a small part of actual text. And the story is just wonderful! I really enjoyed getting to know Ivy and some of the other toys. And we do spend time with the family (the young children) that checks her out of the library. Ivy *is* needed in this home. And it's good to be needed again.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The New LiBEARian

The New LiBEARian. Alison Donald. Illustrated by Alex Willmore. 2018. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It was almost story time. The children were ready. Dee couldn't wait. "Isn't it time?" she asked. But no one answered.

Premise/plot: Ms. Merryweather, the children's librarian, is missing. Can the children follow the clues and solve the mystery? They may not discover Ms. Merryweather right away. But they do discover a NEW librarian. One who is willing to read them stories, but not just any stories--stories they're not allowed to read, SCARY stories. Will Ms. Merryweather return? Who is this new librarian?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The new librarian LOVES to read BEAR stories. Could their new librarian have escaped from a storybook?

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Miss Brooks Loves Books! (And I Don't)

Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) by Barbara Bottner. Illustrated by Michael Emberley. 2010. March 2010. Random House. 32 pages.

The star of this one is a little girl who does NOT like to read books. She does not quite understand what makes Miss Brooks--her librarian--so head-over-heels in love with books. Why does she get so excited? Excited enough to dress up in costumes for reading time? Why does she keep insisting that there is a book out there that she WILL love. That she (the girl, the reluctant reader) just hasn't found it yet. It may take a Book Week celebration for her to understand! Because during Book Week, each child has to share a book they love with the class. Will this reluctant reader find the book that is oh-so-right for her? A book to love at last?

I really enjoyed this one right from the start.

Miss Brooks is our librarian. She loves books. A lot.
She loves The Runaway Bunny. And Babar. And Where The Wild Things Are.
And The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

I ask Miss Brooks why she dresses up for reading circle.
"I want you to get as excited about books as I am," she says.
I think Miss Brooks gets a little too excited. And I bet her costumes itch.

I thought this one was a fun book!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers