The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris, Brad Sneed (Illustrator)

Children's Literature

Melvin really enjoys the Livingston Public Library, mainly because of the wonderful attention given him by its three librarians: Marge, Betty and Leeola. These three fantastic librarians taught Melvin to research insects in 1st grade, helped him practice for his role as the Enormous Eggplant in 2nd grade, and encouraged him to participate in all of the school library programs, including summer reading, after-school specials, the Readerguys Book Club, Move Night, and Spend the Night in the Library parties. In 3rd grade, when Melvin began collecting baseball cards, the women taught him how to use archival-approved boxes and where to find price guides on the Internet; in 4th grade, they helped him prepare for the county spelling bee. The picture book continues to highlight Melvin's various experiences with the librarians, and the culminating pages show that he, too, has become a librarian. The illustrations throughout the text are lively and vibrant, creating distinct personalities for each character. I loved how effectively they underscored and developed the various activities that Melvin, Marge, Betty and Leeola were engaged in throughout the years. Written by a librarian, this is a charming text for every school and city library.

Catherine ThreadgillCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal

K-Gr 3
Little Melvin loves his library, and his librarians-Marge, Leeola, and Betty-are his very favorite people. As he grows up, they help him learn about his world and explore all kinds of things. And when Melvin finishes college, he chooses to join the noble ranks of their profession and help other children learn wonderful things just like he did. Morris is-you guessed it-a children's librarian herself, and her enthusiasm for the field permeates her narrative. But it's Sneed's animated, startlingly accurate depictions of contemporary libraries that make the story engaging. Librarians will also recognize other, less prominent details incorporated into the background, like the covers of several Caldecott Award-winning picture books, successfully rendered in miniature with just a few deft brushstrokes of watercolor. Morris delivers a quaint story, but Sneed makes it possible for readers to smell the very bindings of the books and hear the shuffle of feet across the carpeted floor. This title will be a surefire hit with librarians; whether or not it will also appeal to children is more difficult to predict.

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