Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Library
Illustrator: David Small
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999 ISBN: 978-0374443948
From the time when she was a very little girl indeed Elizabeth Brown loved books. She had no interest in dolls or in playing games. All she wanted to do was to read, and read, and read. This state of affairs did not change as she grew up and as more and more books came into her home, her collection of books got bigger and bigger and bigger until it was so enormous that the front door of her house was blocked by piles of books. Even worse was the fact that Elizabeth no longer had room for "one more" book.
Then Elizabeth Brown finds a solution to her problem, a solution which makes it possible for her to go on buying books, and a solution which benefits the entire community.
This wonderful story with its spare text and its emotive watercolor washed paintings, is a joy to read. The dedication in the front of the book tells us that the Elizabeth Brown in the story was in fact a real person who loved books and who was a good friend to the author and illustrator.
