ORSON AND THE WORLD'S LOUDEST LIBRARY

A young boy learns that quiet isn’t always better.

Orson loves books and calm, tranquil places. The library used to be a great spot to sit and read, but when it reopens after renovations, everything is different. Now the librarian no longer admonishes the kids for reading aloud, laughing, and talking. So Orson takes matters into his own hands—and then rejuvenates the library when his shushing ultimately makes it sad and silent. The narrative is entertaining, though somewhat unrealistic. The library may have undergone a cosmetic renovation, but it seems unlikely that the ambience and the librarian’s attitude would change all at once—or that the other kids would so readily listen to Orson. Most young patrons have grown up with relatively bustling library spaces; the narrative feels as though it’s written from the perspective of an adult processing broader, more long-term changes in library culture. Still, it’s a sweet tale that emphasizes the value of open-mindedness and community and might make a suitable teaching tool for children struggling to accept new situations. Sisson’s art is delightfully cute and expressive, practically telling the story without the need for words. Orson is brown-skinned (one of his parents is darker-skinned than he is, while the other is pale-skinned), and the supporting cast is racially diverse and includes a child who uses a wheelchair.

Gently reassuring, if a bit implausible.