Saving Eli's Library

by Ruth Horowitz, Brittany Jackson (Illustrator)

Overview

Eli loves going to the library for Story Circle, but, one stormy day, the nearby river threatens to flood it. Eli and his dad must brave the storm to help save the books, and, when the storm is over, the whole town must come together to rebuild the library. Inspired by the residents of Lincoln, Vermont, who rebuilt their library on three separate occasions, Saving Eli’s Library showcases one community’s bigheartedness, and the power of water and nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807519714
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Saving Eli's Library is Ruth Horowitz’s seventh children’s book. Her picture book Crab Moon, now in its 14th printing, was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children. A graduate of Hampshire College and the University of Pittsburgh, Ruth has worked as a school librarian and a newspaper writer and editor. She lives in Rhode Island.

Brittany "Bea" Jackson is an award-winning freelance illustrator most notably known for her ability to tell a story through her art. Her work has been featured in various publications, from cover art, to interior illustration, children's books, character design, and more.

Editorial Reviews

"A delight for all the book lovers and friends of libraries."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2020-07-28
Eli loves everything about his library.

There are friends of all ages who love it as much as he does. One uses the computer to chat online with her sister, who lives far away, while two others play chess. Eli enjoys Big Sam’s yoga class. The books are especially wonderful, and Miss Mudge’s storytime is the best of all. One stormy day Eli and his dad notice the nearby river roaring and rising as they drive to the library. People are stacking sandbags outside, and inside everyone is placing books on the highest shelves. All night Eli worries about his beloved library. The next day they discover high water outside the library and a muddy floor and ruined low shelves inside. But all the books that were placed on the high shelves are safe and dry. Eli, his dad, and all his library friends start the long weeks of cleanup, ending with a reopening parade. Young Eli is thoughtful, earnest, kind, and caring, and Horowitz narrates the tale of community spirit via his thoughts and observations, never allowing it to become overly sweet or preachy. Jackson’s expressive, gentle cartoon illustrations are perfectly in tune with the text, detailing characters’ every emotion. Eli and his dad present White; Miss Mudge and Big Sam are people of color; other library users are diverse.

A delight for all book lovers and friends of libraries. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews