The Loud Librarian

by Jenna Beatrice, Erika Lynne Jones (Illustrator)

Overview

A little librarian with a larger-than-life voice finds her place in this sweet and uproarious picture book about being true to yourself—no shushing required!

Penelope is perfect for the job of student-librarian. Friendly? Check. Helpful? Check. Book lover? Check. There’s just one snag. Penelope is...LOUD. Bookcases may topple and the ground may quake at the sound of her voice, but Penelope is determined to prove she’s perfect for the job and stay true to herself. Can a little librarian with a big voice find a place where she belongs?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665910545
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/11/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	267,026
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jenna Beatrice has worked as a writer, a lawyer, and a space camp counselor. She adores libraries and has visited many around the world. Her favorite sound is the flip of a picture book page, and her favorite stories make her giggle out loud. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their young son. The Loud Librarian is her debut picture book.

Erika Lynne Jones loved the opportunity to hold new books when she was growing up. She relished the time spent reading in libraries, book mobiles, and bookstores. In fact, you can still find her hanging out in libraries and stores quietly gathering inspiration for books she is writing and/or illustrating. The Loud Librarian is Erika’s debut picture book. She lives in the Dallas, Texas, area. Find out more at ErikaLynneJones.com or on Instagram @ErikaLynneJones.

Editorial Reviews

06/05/2023

In possession of vocal cords so loud they are registered by the International Space Station, would-be student-librarian Penelope struggles to reconcile her volume with the need for a “library voice” in Beatrice’s over-the-top story. When Penelope, portrayed with brown skin and green spectacles, is finally selected as library helper, the child feels that she’s “perfect” for the role. Displaying collage and mixed-media techniques, illustrations show her alphabetizing the kitchen cupboard and applying stickers to her books in preparation. But from the get-go, Penelope’s voice—communicated in page-filling speech balloons—proves destructively loud: books fly off the shelves, the reference desk cracks in half, and child library patrons of varying abilities and skin tones cover their ears. Jones’s scenes lean fully into the chaos while showcasing Penelope’s cheerful resilience, and a clever conclusion emphasizes the idea that there’s a place for everyone at the library. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Finally, the secret’s out: librarians can be loud! . . . Jones’s mixed-media and collage illustrations are playful and eye-catching, with a three-dimensional feel. Penelope’s shouts explode across the page in giant speech bubbles. . . This one is sure to be a storytime favorite."

The Horn Book

"Character diversity is present and prominent throughout the pages . . . fun to read aloud. . . Recommended."

School Library Connection

2023-01-25
A vocal girl finds her vocation.

A diverse class of 12 youngsters finds out that Penelope, a Black girl with glasses and a barrette, will be the next student-librarian. Her classmate Angela, who drew a “Quiet Please” sign in anticipation, looks horrified by this choice, an interesting hint at conflict that goes unaddressed. Penelope has practiced for this role all year, working on her alphabetization skills and cementing her status as a book lover. Unfortunately, she also has a shockingly loud voice and struggles with impulse control, and her brief stint in the library is marked by fallen books, startled students, and a sudden domino effect when shock waves from her voice knock over an entire bookshelf. Penelope decides that her skills are better spent in outdoor storytime, and the book indicates that she keeps trying in the library. In real life, children’s and elementary school libraries usually aren’t as quiet as adult spaces, and this book could bolster the stereotype of the ideal librarian as sedate and shush-y. It’s also unclear whether Paige Turner Library is connected to Penelope’s school or a stand-alone building, raising some logistical questions. But this would be fun to read aloud, especially to a group of library lovers, and the bright, blocky illustrations are pitch-perfect for the tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

This tale of an aspiring librarian is ideal for all kinds of storytimes. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews