Customer Reviews

The Library Book: The Story of Libraries from Camels to Computers

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With nearly 50 nieces and nephews I am always on the look out for a great childrens or youth book. The Library Book started out as a great read, but very quicky disappointed. The author frequently sites tall tales from history only to briefly note that most historians no longer believe such tales are true. Written post 9-11, the book has no sensitivity to Muslim images in Western press. The author notes that libraries are her passion but she is definately no fan of Roman Catholics who take minor hits in several sections. She is also not too passionate about accurate history. The illistrator does a good job with the notable exception of placing two boys dressed in Colonial American attire at the excavation site of a library from ancient Italy. The author does give many good references which readers may want to consider in lieu of this one

Bill Slavin provides a set of realistic, fun drawing to accent THE LIBRARY BOOK: THE STORY OF LIBRARIES FROM CAMELS TO COMPUTERS. Kids ages 11 and older receive a tour of the origins of libraries from the first book shelves to pack-horse librarians in Kentucky to the vertical shelving style which fostered libraries. Ancient history to modern times is presented in a series of glimpses into the ideas, major holdings and revolutionary changes that led to today's modern libraries. Leisure readers will find it a wonderful, fun pick.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch