Friday, September 28, 2012

"The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians" by Carla Morris, Illustrated by Brad Sneed: Review & Giveaway

Hardcover: $16.95
Peachtree Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-56145-391-7
This is a cute and cheerful book about a young boy who loves books, is curious about any and everything, and who spends lots of time in the library asking questions of his favorite people - the reference librarians.  His insatiable curiosity takes him beyond the pages of books as he finds his interests in the world outside (bugs), his school activities, and life in general.  But as his exploration of life and the outside world lends itself to opening doors of wonder and question, he takes his curiosity back to the library and to the reference librarians.
In this book, we find a child who is not afraid to ask the adults for help.  We see the adults (reference librarians) every ready to assist the eager, seeking child in finding knowledge withing the scope of the books and resources they have organized so beautifully in the library.
 "They couldn't help it.  That's how librarians are."
Melvin, sees first hand that organization and order are paramount to his learning and his finding what he needs.  He seeks that the skills of his reference librarians center around keeping the library organized and ready for folks to use.

This is a good book and I recommend it because the illustrations are bright, llively, and engaging and the teaching qualities of libraries and librarians as good sources for children to have as places where they can find answers to many of their curiosities.  

However, I do find the author's premise that a child goes to the library every afternoon after school daunting.  Children need frequent access to libraries but daily "public library" visits may be a bit much.  So parents reading this picture book with their child should be ready to counter the argument of "Why can't I go by myself?" when it presents itself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(Please wait patiently while Rafflecopter.com uploads the entry form
Begins September 28--ENDS October 13
Open for USA addresses only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE:  The good folks at Peachtree Publishing provided a complimentary copy for me for rending my review. Opinions expressed are solely mine and I was not obligated to give a positive review.  The giveaway copy is also provided by Peachtree Publishing and will be sent directly to the winner by Peachtree.

Author: Carla Morris is a children's librarian. She lives in Utah.
You can visit Carla Morris’s website.
Illustrator:  Brad Sneed has illustrated almost twenty picture books, some of which he has also written. His titles include The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians, Mr. President Goes to School, and When Wishes Were Horses. He lives in Kansas. You can visit Brad Sneed’s website.

32 comments:

  1. The pictures help them make a connection to the story and also helps them with reading to commend the information presented and pictures are fun!

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  2. I like these I Want To Help and Zayde Comes to Live

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  3. I commented on "The Quill Pen" by Michelle Isenhoff: Book Review

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  4. You will notice there are rarely pictures in older children's books. Pictures help form their imagination.

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  5. I've entered the Bink and Gollie giveaway.

    The Tweet link for this one says, "I just entered to win 'Bink & Gollie' _____" but it has the correct address/link back to this post. Just thought I'd let you know. :)

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  6. Pictures make the books more fun and more real.

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  7. Picture books are important in literacy because the illustrations add depth to the story and can be used for retelling the story by pre-readers. The brevity of picture books match the shorter attention span of young child. Hopefully the book is well written and has rich and colorful language and an insightful story line.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  8. Just checking...is it open to Canada?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, Renee. USA mailing addresses only

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    2. Ah! I see that now - my apologies. Thanks for linking in to the Kid Lit Blog Hop again Vera. Nice to see you again. Cheers! :)

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  9. Just asked about the giveaway being open for Canada. Sorry - this is just for USA.

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  10. This looks so adorable. Thanks for the review.

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  11. I think picture books are important because they grab a child's attention while you are reading and help them to start to recognize words through the context of the illustrations.

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  12. I think the pictures can draw their attention to the story better. Debbie Welchert

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  13. I read and commented on the review of Life With Lily.

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  14. Picture books are so important to children's development. They see the pictures and listen to you read the words while they put them all together to make the bigger picture in their brain.

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  15. I think in the very beginning that picture books encourage very young children to want to explore them. Even though they can't read yet they enjoy creating stories, which encourages them and makes them eager to read sooner!

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  16. I commented on Night Flight by Diane & David Munson.

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  17. Picture book are important because children can "read" the book even when they don't know how to read. They can make up words that go with the pictures.

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  18. Entered the "Bear in Love" giveaway.
    Picture books help kids associate words with what they see on the pages, hearing what you are saying.

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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  19. picture books can help a child with storying telling. they can see the characters and put a visual with what they hear. it may help them remember the story better thanks

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  20. I love the idea behind this book! I absolutely loved going to the library when I was little, and I've reinstituted the policy now that I have a toddler. I'll definitely put this on our TBR list!

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  21. Picture books are important because the bright illustrations keep their attention.
    sarahyurga@yahoo.com

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  22. I think picture books teach them to learn about things even when they are young.They're brains are like sponges and they soak everything up.I started reading to my daughter when she was a baby.She loved bright picture books.Thank you for the great giveaway! :)

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  23. gets children introduced to fun books
    gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)Com

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  24. Thanks for linking to the Kid Lit Blog Hop. I read this book before. I would love to own it. I have a 3 year old who has loved her books since a very young age and has always been so gentle with them. I think it is important for brain stimulation and children learn from the pictures. If they see their parents reading, I think it helps tremendously.

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  25. Sounds like a really fun book, though I definitely appreciate your cautions about questions it may raise with the kiddos! Thanks for linking up to the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

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  26. I think that Picture books are important because it gives kids a visual image of the words that are being read! My kids love reading!

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  27. i think that picture books are important because they allow children to be creative and come up with a new story each time. they get to express themeselves and their thoughts and helps them with talking and using words

    mrs.jamie_tucker @ hotmail.com

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  28. http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2012/10/when-heart-stops-by-lynette-eason-book.html

    mrs.jamie_tucker @ hotmail.com

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  29. It helps give them an idea as to what the story is telling them. It gives them a visual and stimulates their imagination.

    lanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  30. I think picture books are so important because it makes reading fun and it helps them connect to the story by giving them a visual. I know for a fact that my daughter would not love reading as much as she does now if there werent pictures for her to look at! lol

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