The Little Library

January 15, 2021
A school librarian helps their student succeed as a reader and grow as a community member. While there are many picture books about libraries, librarians, books, and reading, this fifth installment in McNamara and Karas' series about Mr. Tiffin's class is a standout. Not only does Librarian Beck offer Jake compassionate encouragement through careful reader's advisory and reassuring comments about his reading preferences, they also present as nonbinary with they/them pronouns and clothing and hairstyling that resist strict gender norms. The matter-of-fact inclusion of this character is groundbreaking, especially since Librarian Beck's gender is not a focus of the story. Instead, Jake's early resistance to reading and then his immersion in Woodworking for Young Hands define the earlier parts of the plot. Jake renews this favorite book many times and is saddened to learn the school library will be closed at the end of the school year. The story culminates with him working with his grandfather to build a Little Free Library for Librarian Beck, who installs it outside the school for students to enjoy. A closing moment may warm hearts (though it risks undermining core principles of librarianship) when Jake receives a package from Librarian Beck with Woodworking for Young Hands inside, its title page stamped with the word WITHDRAWN. All main characters present as White. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 37% of actual size.) This little book could make a big difference. (Picture book. 4-8)

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March 12, 2021

Gr 1-2-Mr. Tiffin's class visits the new library at school and meets Librarian Beck. While the students excitedly explore, Jake feels out of place and wanders to a shelf where he "studied the bookcase to see how the pieces fit together. He ran his finger along the grooves in the wood." The astute Librarian Beck brings him Woodworking for Young Hands and Jake immediately recognizes many of the pictured tools from his grandfather's workshop. The librarian assures him that even books with many pictures count as reading. Jake slowly begins to read and take notes, while the librarian allows him to continue to renew the book and finds other similar titles for Jake. When the school year draws to a close and all books must be returned, Jake uses his woodworking skills to build with a little library where students can share books all summer. A brief note at the end describes the Little Free Library program. The realistically drawn gouache-and-pencil drawings depict the multicultural class alongside their supportive teacher and librarian, whose pronouns are they/them. VERDICT Gently illustrating that every book has its reader, this story of a reluctant reader assisted by a helpful and welcoming librarian is another solid addition to Mr. Tiffin's classroom series.-Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TX

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