Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk

Synopsis

A small creature offers his big voice for aspiring authors everywhere

Every child can be a writer—and Library Mouse shows them how!

Beloved children's books author and illustrator Daniel Kirk wonderfully brings to life the story of Sam, a library mouse. Sam's home was in a little hole in the wall in the children's reference books section, and he thought that life was very good indeed. For Sam loved to read. He read picture books and chapter books, biographies and poetry, and ghost stories and mysteries. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself!

Sam shared his books with other library visitors by placing them on a bookshelf at night. Until there came the time that people wanted to meet this talented author. Whatever was Sam to do?

The joy of reading, writing, and sharing is brought to life in this warmhearted tale.

Children's Literature

Sam, a library mouse, lives in a hole behind the children's reference books. This charming fellow, who dresses in shirt and pants and sleeps in pajamas, really enjoys his life there, sleeping during the busy days and relishing every kind of book at night. After filling his mind with both facts and imaginary wonders, he decides to write his own book. He works hard to finish Squeak! A Mouse's Life; then he places it on the shelf, in the Biography section of course. His next opus, The Lonely Cheese, goes with the picture books. The children and librarians notice his books and begin to read them. They wonder who the mysterious author is and decide to invite him for Author Day. Instead, too shy to appear himself, Sam inspires his fans to write a book of their own. Our hero is introduced on the front cover, sword in hand, standing atop a cat's face on a book, his foot on a pencil. The back and title page have him kneeling between books, hushing finger to mouth. Naturalistic vignettes and full-page scenes show Sam at work or imagining, as well as an active library. The titles of the books around him add to the fun.

Biography

Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular books for children, among them Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!, which School Library Journal called "an instant hit with young children." He has also both written and illustrated books, among them Snow Dude, which Booklist said "[crackles] with excitement and mischief . . . fun to read aloud," and Bus Stop, Bus Go!, which School Library Journal called "a lively trip that's loaded with fun." Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children. He was inspired to write this book after spending countless blissful days with his family perusing the stacks at his local library. For more information about Daniel, visit danielkirk.com.