Our Library

by Eve Bunting, Maggie Smith (Illustrator)

Overview

When Miss Goose announces that the library is going to close forever, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. Where will they get the help they need to save their beloved library? In books, of course! This cheery tale from ever-popular author Eve Bunting shows how important libraries are to every community. Bright, playful illustrations enhance the light treatment of this serious subject, in a story that celebrates the value of books in everyone’s lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544808997
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/13/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Eve Bunting was the beloved, award-winning author of more than two hundred and fifty books for young people, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere.

Maggie Smith has written and illustrated many picture books including My Blue Bunny, Bubbit and Beach Day. An accomplished sewist and owner of the Etsy shop Maggierama, she lives in Massachusetts. Visit her online at maggiebooks.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"When Miss Goose informs the children that the library will have to close because it is in need of repair, Raccoon and his friends spring into action.  The first thing they do is check out books (How to Lay a Perfect Roof and Library Painting for Beginners), read them, and accomplish the necessary tasks.  However, their problems are far from over.  Now the library needs operating money and it has to be moved.  Each time, the children turn first to books to guide them toward a solution, until at last the spruced-up library sits cozily in a meadow.  The reasons this library is so important to everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens, are woven nicely into the plot.  Bunting's style has a graceful simplicity, descriptive enough to be evocative without overwhelming:  "On rainy days, we stay cozily inside.  On sunny days, we lie in the shade of a big whispering oak tree and read."  Smith's watercolor and acrylic illustrations are charming and should have most children longing to enter the buttercup-yellow library with the grass-green door.  An excellent vehicle for discussing the importance of libraries, books, reading, and teamwork, this one is a winner."—School Library Journal "Miss Goose, the librarian, tells her young patrons that the library is going to close forever because it's old.  The animals, however, refuse to take that news without a fight.  An old roof and shabby weatherboards?  The animals find books that give them the know-how to proceed to lay a perfect roof and paint the outside.  Although Miss Goose is thrilled, she now worries that it takes money to run a library.  After reading about how to make money fast, the kids hold bake and candy sales.  Almost thwarted by the next obstacle—-Goat owns the library land and wants it back—-the patrons realize they can move the building.  Championing problem solving and showing that you can learn anything through reading, the message-heavy book may have more adult-appeal than kid-appeal.  But the winsome illustrations and can-do spirit will find some fans."—Booklist

Editorial Reviews

"When Miss Goose informs the children that the library will have to close because it is in need of repair, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. The first thing they do is check out books (How to Lay a Perfect Roof and Library Painting for Beginners), read them, and accomplish the necessary tasks. However, their problems are far from over. Now the library needs operating money and it has to be moved. Each time, the children turn first to books to guide them toward a solution, until at last the spruced-up library sits cozily in a meadow. The reasons this library is so important to everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens, are woven nicely into the plot. Bunting's style has a graceful simplicity, descriptive enough to be evocative without overwhelming: "On rainy days, we stay cozily inside. On sunny days, we lie in the shade of a big whispering oak tree and read." Smith's watercolor and acrylic illustrations are charming and should have most children longing to enter the buttercup-yellow library with the grass-green door. An excellent vehicle for discussing the importance of libraries, books, reading, and teamwork, this one is a winner."—School Library Journal "Miss Goose, the librarian, tells her young patrons that the library is going to close forever because it's old. The animals, however, refuse to take that news without a fight. An old roof and shabby weatherboards? The animals find books that give them the know-how to proceed to lay a perfect roof and paint the outside. Although Miss Goose is thrilled, she now worries that it takes money to run a library. After reading about how to make money fast, the kids hold bake and candy sales. Almost thwarted by the next obstacle—Goat owns the library land and wants it back—the patrons realize they can move the building. Championing problem solving and showing that you can learn anything through reading, the message-heavy book may have more adult-appeal than kid-appeal. But the winsome illustrations and can-do spirit will find some fans."—Booklist —

From the Publisher

K-Gr 2

When Miss Goose informs the children that the library will have to close because it is in need of repair, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. The first thing they do is check out books (How to Lay a Perfect Roof and Library Painting for Beginners ), read them, and accomplish the necessary tasks. However, their problems are far from over. Now the library needs operating money and it has to be moved. Each time, the children turn first to books to guide them toward a solution, until at last the spruced-up library sits cozily in a meadow. The reasons this library is so important to everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens, are woven nicely into the plot. Bunting's style has a graceful simplicity, descriptive enough to be evocative without overwhelming: "On rainy days, we stay cozily inside. On sunny days, we lie in the shade of a big whispering oak tree and read." Smith's watercolor and acrylic illustrations are charming and should have most children longing to enter the buttercup-yellow library with the grass-green door. An excellent vehicle for discussing the importance of libraries, books, reading, and teamwork, this one is a winner.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

School Library Journal

Bunting wastes no time getting started in this energetic story about a small-town library in jeapody. On the first page, a group of assorted woodland creatures are told by their librarian that the library needs too many repairs and must close. The enterprising animals decide to take out books on roof repairs and painting, and they get the library spiffed up in no time. Miss Goose (the librarian) is pleased, but says they still need more money to stay open, so after a few more books, they solve this problem-and others that crop up. The story's simple plot moves along, but the animals solve their problems so quickly that the tension dissapears before it has a chance to build. This might be comforting to younger readers, but a bit boring to older ones. No surprises here and not billed to be a future classic, but entertaining and useful, with Smith's lively watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations providing a happy, small-town context. Librarians will probably find it hard to pass up. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews