The Library

Sarah Stewart (author/illus)

Frances Lincoln Children's Books, USA: 1995

ISBN: 1845074947

Genres: humour, picture book, poetry, realistic fiction

Issues: gifted, identity

‘Elizabeth Brown/ entered the world/ skinny, nearsighted and shy./ She didn't like to play with dolls,/ she didn't like to skate./ She learned to read quite early/ And at an incredible rate.'

Thus begins this delightful picture book, relating the unconventional life of an avid reader, someone a little different, whose love of books consumed her life. The verse narrative flows naturally and is wonderful to read aloud.

Young listeners (and readers) will laugh at the comical, cartoonish illustrations that capture the slightly eccentric character of Elizabeth Brown. Great affection fills both the illustrations and text and the books has obviously been created by people who share her love of literature and want to encourage it in others. There are a number of intertextual visual references - posters of famous writers adorn Elizabeth's walls at school and a painting of the White Rabbit is seen in her bedroom. Observant readers will also notice a small, well-loved teddy bear appears on most pages, as does a cat of some kind.

This is a delightful, whimsical story about a remarkable reader who goes on to share her greatest gift - her love of books - with those who never knew her. Thoroughly charming and highly recommended.