From the Publisher
It's Stella Louella's library due date, but aghast! She can't find the book anywhere. Almost everyone in town joins in on the frantic search, and the wild book chase begins. Full color.
Publishers Weekly
From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst (Bubba and Trixie) gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars. Cereal spills from an overturned box, macaroni tumbles out of the cupboard and a marmalade-hued cat takes refuge in the arms of Stella Louella's father as the girl feverishly tears apart the kitchen in search of her missing library book--due by five o'clock that day. She consults her brother, Sam, who left it by the mailbox, which leads her to their letter carrier, who picked it up with the mail and left it at the house on the corner. He then joins the growing search party, which continues to increase as each person Stella queries directs her to someone else. The parade eventually winds its way to the library with just five minutes to go, where the kind librarian announces she had already found the book--on a bench outside the building. Aside from the bustling cartoon artwork, what distinguishes this rather predictable tale is the spectrum of voices Ernst works into her narrative. Each character chimes in a reaction to the book based on his or her occupation or interest and simultaneously offers clues to its identity. The back cover and front flap carry a clever rubber stamp-like message: "Whatever you do, don't lose this book!" Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Children's Literature
In this clever tale, a young girl named Stella Louella has trouble finding her library book, which needs to be returned by 5:00 p.m. With her father's help, Stella begins her search outside where her little brother Sam is playing in the dirt. After some brief questions, her search takes her to Mr. Hanson (the mailman), Tiffany Anne, Officer Tim, Wanda Lynn, Sal, Morty, a mother walking her baby, a group of weary scouts, and finally, Miss Flynn. Along the way, each person who has read the library book describes his/her favorite part of the story. (Young readers will enjoy adding up the clues to figure out the name of the missing book.) With everyone in tow, Stella eventually ends up at the library, where she describes the situation to Mrs. Graham, the librarian, who simply smiles and pulls out the missing book. Humorous illustrations perfectly complement this delightful cumulative tale. Anyone who has ever misplaced a library book will treasure this funny story.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-"On Saturday morning, Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act." So begins this rollicking tale of visual clues and reader anticipation as a cavalcade of characters retrace their steps throughout town in order to locate the child's book. Clues to the name of the missing title are cleverly concealed in the dialogue and pictures, making this a great story for reading out loud. The search party eventually winds up at what appears to be a dead end-a bench at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. However, this happens to be right in front of the library, so Stella and crew walk inside to break the news to the librarian, whom, they discover, has the book. The day is saved. From the front cover of a library card and date-due slips to the fly papers of packed bookshelves to the borders of due-date labels framing each page, this book exudes the familiarities of readers and libraries. Ernst's homey illustrations, rendered in soft pastels and pencils, are in perfect unison with the lively tone of the story. Children will enjoy studying each page for clues and hidden jokes. Order two copies-one for reading out loud (try pairing it with Suzanne Williams's Library Lil [Bantam, 1993] for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
Kirkus Reviews
This cumulative tale from Ernst (Duke the Dairy Delight Dog, 1996, etc.) features Stella, who is all in a dither because she has misplaced her library book. Her father starts the ball rolling when he asks, "Think. Where did you have it last?" The hammock, hoots Stella, but when she and her father get there they learn that Stella's brother has left the book on the front porch. The three of them rush to the porch only to find that the mailman gave the book to a girl down the street. The four of them, and all the rest who join them, go on a merry chase around town; Stella gets increasingly frantic, and the crowd grows arithmetically. The book is finally located and Stella's name is still good with Mrs. Graham, the librarian (Stella's fear of her may be the only overworked element in the story). Treasure hunts are always fun, and this one is made all the more so by the hints that are dropped about the book's identity. Everyone who reads it likes it, for humorously self-serving reasons, e.g., the diner owner likes the bit about porridge, the fix-it woman likes the part about the broken chair, the new mother likes the notion of a nap. As usual, Ernst's big, comic illustrations stage the action beautifully, advancing the text and supplying plenty of funny details to pore over. (Picture book. 4-8)
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