Member Reviews

LOVED this book for kids! It is a great way to show kids all the different ways to be thankful for libraries. The illustartions are well done, and are very inclusive. It is a book that I cannot wait to add to our shelves and to share with others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4xlzvjMXuUo1Lyvh?si=ewdzfkUnSVKyDmAvHMHIPQ

Was this review helpful?

Brilliant reminder of all the things that libraries and librarians do for us!
The illustrations by Rob Sayegh Jr. (Illustrator) are fun, simple, brilliantly colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone who has a library available to them, but especially to a school or your local public library (I did!)!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from
SOURCEBOOKS Kids/Sourcebooks Explore via NetGalley. THANK YOU!
@NYPL @BKLYNlibrary #CudahyFamilyLibrary #Libraries #Librarians @CuyahogaLib @duluthlib

Was this review helpful?

This is just a warm hug to a librarian. I think that this book does a fantastic job of showing all of the love that patrons and librarians have for each other. I think it is also a great book to showcase during National Library Week. I thought this was such a fun and cute story.

Was this review helpful?

As a grandmother and former teacher, I am lucky to be able to take my grandchildren to the library on a weekly basis. This story brings back fond memories of all the fun activities and the hunt for the just right book. This is a perfect book to read to children before they visit the library for the first time or for veterans who go weekly.

Was this review helpful?

A decent book that is sure to please adult audiences, but potentially not engage younger readers. I was hoping for a book appropriate for storytime, or perhaps class visits, and while beautiful, this book does not provide the context or information needed to resonate with audiences. A lovely read regardless that I would recommend adding to a library collection.

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Katzenberger’s <i>A Love Letter to My Library</i> is just that.

This is the sort of book that I think every kid should read and experience all those good feels from. It’s very simple and it’s not the kind of book that you give to teach reading skills nor is it the type of book that immediately makes itself known to you as one with a message. A lot of children—and probably adults!—might have to sit with this one for a bit.

But the truth is that this book has one of the best messages that it ever could—that of encouraging learning and growth and gratitude for the opportunities, people, and communities that offer those things. Personally, those are values that I think should be instilled in everyone from a very young age and therefore I’m honestly of the mind that this should be required reading for just about any Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st-3rd grade class.

The artwork is beautiful and engaging and diverse—the story itself even comments briefly on the gratitude felt for a librarian who is able to help a child find a book with someone like them in it. This is also probably the first time I’ve ever seen a book include someone with vitiligo, so it’s definitely going to be one of the first that I think of should I ever meet a child who experiences that condition.

I loved <i>A Love Letter to My Library</i> and I think the rest of the world will, too.

Was this review helpful?

What amazing illustrations that showcase many of the different library offerings, as well as the different patrons we see each and every day. I loved the representation, the message, and am so thankful for every library I've gotten to call a second home as well.

Was this review helpful?

A Love Letter to My Library is a sweet book full of "thank you"s that any child could identify with if they have been to their library. Some of my oldest memories are library trips with my mom, and I know I felt the sentiments expressed in this book.

I received an ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Kids | Sourcebooks Explore via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A Love Letter to My Library is such a cute picture book!! Very good illustrations and I totally love the concept. I will definitely recommend this book!

Thank you #NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKS Kids

Was this review helpful?

As a library lover myself, this a cute book to read with your little one. It perfectly captures what a visit to your local library holds she the wonders that await you when you select that perfect book. I love the illustrations

Was this review helpful?

To anyone who seeks solace in the library, this book will make you feel connected. This shares many ways libraries fulfill needs of people and their importance. The illustrations are fun and colorful.

Was this review helpful?

A bright and happy book that celebrates the joy that it is to visit and be involved in your local library. With simple language and clear illustrations, this book is great for younger readers and can grow with them.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a thank you to all libraries for being there and for all they offer. It’s a great book for you readers because the words are easy to read and there are a lot of pictures. It can also spark a conversation with your little one on why they like the library or any other place.

Was this review helpful?

Libraries are a safe haven for so many people. We can go to the library to fill up with positive feelings and interact with books and other materials. This picture book is a love letter to libraries, thanking libraries for all the ways they help. The pictures are adorable and bright. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful picture book about visiting the local library and all the amazing things the library has to offer! I would highly recommend this to all small children. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is exactly what the title says it is, a love letter to the library. It celebrates all the reasons we love libraries, from the perfect books just for us to story telling and even arts and crafts, not to mention cozy spots to curl up and read. The characters shown are diverse, including wheelchair characters (and ramps), and show both children and adults. While some of the adults pictured seem to be parents to the children seen, I liked that some were simply there, reminding us that the library is for everyone. There's even a giant "Welcome" sign using not only a heart for the "o" but on a rainbow of colors. Lovely, as are the shelves depicted full of books and more books, as well as computers to connect us to the world and others.

Although there is no real story, simply a recollection of what we can find/do in the library, the book works well. I liked the diversity, shown rather than told, I'll note, and am now jealous that my library doesn't have a fish tank. Thanks #NetGalley and #SourcebooksKids - #SourcebooksExplore for this lovely tribute to one of my favorite places on earth, the library. One of the first things I did when I moved here was go get a library card, I must admit.

Was this review helpful?

"A Love Letter to My Library" by Lisa Katzenberger and Rob Sayegh Jr. is a delightful ode to the enchanting world of libraries, capturing the essence of what makes these institutions so beloved by readers of all ages. Through charming illustrations and heartfelt prose, the authors beautifully convey the magic of libraries, celebrating the joy of discovering new stories, embarking on exciting adventures, and forging connections with fellow book enthusiasts. The book encapsulates the universal experience of wandering through the aisles, eagerly searching for that perfect read, and the sheer delight of holding a cherished book in one's hands. Ideal for children aged 4-8 years old, this picture book invites young readers to explore the wonders of their local library and embrace the endless possibilities it offers. From storytime sessions that transport listeners to far-off lands, to the comforting embrace of a well-loved book, "A Love Letter to My Library" celebrates the multifaceted roles libraries play in our lives. The authors' heartfelt gratitude shines through as they express appreciation for the dedicated librarians who guide readers to their next literary adventure and the cozy nooks and crannies that hold treasures waiting to be discovered. Each page is filled with warmth and nostalgia, evoking fond memories of childhood visits to the library and the profound impact these experiences have on shaping a lifelong love of reading. In a world where technology often dominates, "A Love Letter to My Library" serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring value of libraries as vibrant community hubs and guardians of knowledge. It encourages readers of all ages to cherish and support these invaluable institutions, ensuring that future generations will continue to be enchanted by the magic of libraries for years to come. In essence, this heartfelt tribute is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt the transformative power of a good book and the profound sense of belonging that can be found within the walls of a beloved library.

Was this review helpful?

This picture book highlights different things that libraries have to offer, whether it's a great selection of books, a cozy place to sit with a friend, a craft program, or something else. Instead of following just one character, the author writes about several, showing how each of these children love the library for different reasons.

I appreciate how the author represents the library as a special place for lots of reasons, but I also felt that the book dragged a bit at its length, since there's no plot. If I was reading this in a storytime, I would probably paperclip some pages together to make it shorter. Also, even though the diverse illustrations work fine as a backdrop for the message, they aren't particularly compelling. I would have liked to see more variation in lighting and texture, since everything feels pretty flat and low-contrast.

This book's positive examples and warm message about libraries will appeal to many families, and this is a great choice for classroom and public library settings. This celebrates features, programs, and services that generalize to almost every public library, and it's warm and uplifting without being saccharine.

Was this review helpful?

We road tripped to Florida for spring break and I was so happy I had been approved for sixteen new children’s books coming out this year. It helped so much to break up some time with stories! The kids loved them and had so much fun picking out a book from my netgalley app to read. We didn’t read a single book we didn’t like! Tuckers favorite was Elmo’s new book, Kinley loved the fairy godmother book, Dawsyn loved the basketball one, and Briggs adored the animal book. I highly suggest adding all of these to your summer library reading lists for kids. I love children’s books, and these were full of beautiful illustrations, stories, and allowed us to have some great conversations after them. Thank you @netgalley for these advanced copies! @lisakatzenberger @alicewalstead @eringuendelsberger @aimeereid @christiematheson @jackjokinen @sandranickel @janechapman @hudaharajli @fraanushkin @saralauxakin @laurapurdiesalas @katyhudson emilymurrow @zackwilliams 📚📖🚗☀️🏝️🌊👙

A Love Letter to My Library by Lisa Katzenberger

I Can Do It Even If I’m Scared by Lisa Katzenberger

How to Catch a Fairy Godmother by Alice Walstead

Elmo Gives Thanks by Erin Guendelsberger

Baby Animals Trying by Aimee Reid

A Mischief of Mice by Christie Matheson

A Stray Dog for Christmas by Jack Jokinen

Bears Big Idea by Sandra Nickel

Each of Us Is a Miracle by Jane Chapman

All About Nature by Huda Harajli

Katie Woo and JoJo on the Go by Fran Manushkin

The Pass by Sara Laux Akin

Line Leads the Way by Laura Purdue Salas

A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson

Little Helpler, Big Imagination by Emily Morrow

A Little More like Jesus by Zack Williams

Was this review helpful?

This is the perfect book to introduce children to the library and all it has to offer while hearing all the things that the characters love about the library and what they are thankful for.
Wonderful illustrations!

Was this review helpful?