My daughter loves this book because it gave us a clever idea for dealing with the creatures that go bump in the night. Grandma had suggested she pray them away, and I'd told her to ignore them (they are just in your imagination). But Lane Fredrickson gave us something useful here. A funny, magical, charming solution! And I suggest everyone with an imaginative young child buy or borrow this book to find out the answer.
What I Liked
I'd like to give kudos to the illustrator Michael Robertson, not only for bringing these silly, wacky, wonderful monsters to life (without too gross or too scary) but because she chose to make the protagonist a little black girl. He didn't have to. He drew her the way he organically imagined her. I appreciate that this illustrator has a wide varied pallet of characters and a talent for being diversity into his artwork. Check more of his work on his website: https://www.michaelrobertsonillustration.com/
What I Disliked
The only thing that I dislike about this story is that it comes sooo close to a picture book idea that I've been workshopping for years. I hate to admit it but this one is better. And that's why I've chosen it as it my Halloween Highlight (ten years late).
If you liked Monster Trouble check out some of Michael Robertson's other illustrated works.
Hey! I review books. Long books, short books, picture books, old and new books. Check out my blog PB&Jellyphish gift ideas, library guides. Also check out the JellyBell Book Club a new perspective on your favorite YA and Adult literature
Room on the Broom is perfect picture book. Anyone looking to learn how to write picture books should take note of this one. It's fun and charming. The rhyme scheme is so long strong you could almost sing this book. And the twist at the end made me laugh out loud. The only other book I really say that about was the Grufflalo by *gasping* the same creative team!
What I Liked
The message of friendship. Each time the witch drops something from her broom a new creature pops out and gives it back. In return the creature asks for a ride on her broom and she obliges them. As a result she help when she needs it most!
What I Loved
In the end a dragon emerges who loves to eat with fries! Thankfully, her friends are there to turn the table in her favor in a way that makes me laugh out loud!
Dislikes
After about the twentieth read it gets a bit repetitive in the middle. It breaks the rule of three and by the fourth drop from the broom I'm over it. But the rhyming makes even the is easier to get through.
Author and Illustrator Team
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler really bring in the magic when they work together. It's a book I don't mind reading on repeat to my daughter all "Spooky Season". Having two of their books to shuffle between really helps. Check out more about this creative team here: https://www.gruffalo.com/julia-and-axel/.
Check out these other books by Gruffalo Creators
Hey! I review books. Long books, short books, picture books, old and new books. Check out my blog PB&Jellyphish gift ideas, library guides. Also check out the JellyBell Book Club a new perspective on your favorite YA and Adult literature
Meet Clarisse!She’s a clever cat who loves books.She may not understand the dark, squiggly lines, but she can’t get enough of the pictures.
One day she stumblesupon a magical building where people walk in empty-handed and come out with armloads of books.She has to find a way inside!
There’s just one problem: NO CATS are allowed in the library!
That’s not going to stop clever Clarisse, though.Once she sneaks in, she stumbles upon exciting new stories and even helps a little girl practice reading aloud.But when the librarian comes looking, will Clarisse be allowed to stay?
Vid:
About the Author
Simon & Schuster image
Lauren Emmons is an award-winning illustrator who currently lives in North Dakota with their partner, dog and two rambunctious cats.They earned a master’s degree in children’s booknow spends their days illustrating for children’s books, magazines, and galleries. No Cats in the Library is their debut author-illustrated picture book.Lauren has loved libraries since they was a child, and still regularly walks out with their arms full of books.Visit them at laurenemmons.com
Concepts/Lessons
If your child is shy about reading, try encouraging them to read to an animal, or a stuffed friend. As shown in "No Cats in the Library" pets are surprisingly good listeners. And an audience of stuffies can cure stage fright before it begins.
Review:
A curious kitten wonders into the library wondering what all the action is about it. This cat loves books and excited to find a room full of them. But when the librarian kicks the kitty out, it has to get clever to find a way back in. Then it discovers a whole world of worlds, and new friends willing to let it in on the secrets of the library.
This book is charming! I'd recommend it to go libraries and parents who are trying to encourage young readers to read to their level. The idea is build confidence in reading because that will build confidence in all the other subjects as well.
The Art
Illustrations captured this story in charming basic colors. The images have rounded edges keeping this mood of this book smooth, cool, and calm just like in the library. The stakes are low but the charm is high.
My cat Savannah
What I Loved
The over story of a cat who loves books sneaking into a library. I love the idea of libraries have cats for the children to read to, or to keep company with people in quiet study. I also love the idea of a cat just sitting and listening to young readers as they struggle over syllables and vowels, but with the calm patient alertness that only cats have.
What I Liked
I liked how my daughter reacted to this book. The story is imitable and gives kids a solution to a problem most adults might not realize is a problem.
Dislikes:Unrealistic expectations. After reading this my daughter was disappointed that her library doesn't have a cat. Even though I explained that there are people who don't like cats, who are allergic or afraid of cats, she didn't buy it. She still tried to ask the librarians to adopt cats. They of course gave her the same answer. So for kids in a situation were they have no pets, a stuffed animal is just as nice.
Thee is also very little re-readiblity about this book. I don't see a kid wanting to read this book over and over. It's best for a teacher or a librarian during a class reading session. But not great for a bedtime story. I also don't see a kid really picking up this book as much as an adult. Any a kid picking up this book would certainly be expecting humor, and wackiness from a cat sneaking into a library. Instead we have a low stakes lesson giving tips on reading out-loud better. Might be a tad disappointing.
Lessons to Take away
Cats and books go together like pickles and peanut butter. They are just right for each other!
"No Cats in the Library" is a clever and cute book that teachers, librarians, and little readers will enjoy. I love it for encouraging confidence in reading and giving a strategy for encouraging little learners to read out-loud. The story is not as wacky as the title may suggest, but it's still worth a trip to the library.
If you like this book you might also enjoy:
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Monster Trouble! by Fredrickson, Lane (September 1, 2015) Hardcover by Lane Fredrickson
