A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY

A paean to a perfect public place.

Endpapers featuring shelves displaying the colorful spines of books of various sizes appropriately introduce this bouncy valentine to libraries, written from a child’s perspective. There’s so much to thank libraries for, from the enthusiastic welcomes visitors receive the moment they enter to the books that take readers on adventures. Don’t forget craft activities or storytime. And don’t you love that seating areas are always the perfect size so kids can curl up and read to their hearts’ delight? And what about library computers, which connect us with distant family members? One of the very best things about libraries are the helpers who assist kids in finding books that reflect their own experiences. And there’s even more to love about libraries! Children should be encouraged to compare and contrast their own library experiences with those of the book’s cheerful characters; they may wish to create “love letters” like the one at book’s end. The colorful, lively collage and digitally painted illustrations portray people who are diverse in terms of race, culture, and ability.

What’s not to love? This is a natural addition to bookshelves—and library collections in particular.