Saving Eli’s Library – written by Ruth Horowitz, illustrated by Brittany Jackson

  Saving Eli’s Library – written by Ruth Horowitz, illustrated by Brittany Jackson, Albert Whitman & Co, 9780807519714, 2020

Format: Paperback ARC

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Genre: Picture book

What did you like about the book? As a librarian, I couldn’t help but love this book. In it, a storm threatens to flood the local library, and Eli, his dad, and other community members help prepare the library and move books to prevent damage. Luckily, the collection is saved, and there are enough community volunteers to clean and fix the space. As we read about the risks to the library, Eli recognizes many unique roles the library serves its community that would be lost. The book also highlights how kids can help their community in a variety of ways. There is an author’s note at the end, explaining how though the book is fiction, the author was inspired by the local library in Lincoln, Vermont which was damaged by a flood twice. I also liked how the river that runs near the library acts almost like a character with its own story to tell. The illustrations are pretty realistic and feature people of different genders and races as side characters. 

Anything you did not like about the book. No

To whom would you recommend this book? This would be a great read aloud in a library, especially when discussing children helping the community or the role of libraries. It’s similar to The Librarian of Basra, though geared toward a little younger reader (4-8 years).

Who should buy this book? Elementary school libraries, public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Sarah Bickel, Greenlodge Elementary School, Dedham Massachusetts

Date of review: June 25, 2020