The little library

A thoughtful school librarian connects a child with a life-changing book in this installment in the Mr. Tiffin's Classroom series (How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?, rev. 7/07, et al). Librarian Beck notices that Jake is more interested in the bookcases and shelving than in the library collection, so they encourage Jake to check out Woodworking for Young Hands. Jake struggles with the instructions, but he renews the hefty volume week after week. Jake considers how additional objects in his environment are constructed and begins borrowing even more books on how to make things. When he realizes that the school library will be closed all summer, he builds and installs (with Gramps's help) a "little library" outside of the school so kids can continue to read and share books. In July, Jake receives a surprise package in the mail: Librarian Beck has marked Woodworking for Young Hands "withdrawn" and sent the discarded library book to Jake as a gift. Substantial dialogue immerses readers in the day-to-day life of the protagonist; adults offer help and guidance, but Jake accomplishes much on his own. Spot art and spreads in the illustrator's recognizable paint and pencil style (recently Almost Time, rev. 1/20, and The Village Blacksmith, rev. 9/20) further develop character and setting, allowing clothing expression, home decor, and references to real-world library books to provide texture. An appended note "by" Jake offers more information about Little Free Libraries. Elisa Gall May/June 2021 p.116(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.