When the Library Lights Go Out (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) [Hardcover]

Megan McDonald (Author), Katherine Tillotson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)

CLOSED may mean "closed" to you. But for three story-hour puppets, CLOSED means "open for adventure."

At first there are only Rabbit and Lion. Hermit Crab is missing. Where can she be in the library darkness? Find out for yourself when -- magically -- only puppets are up and about.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–Three puppets enjoy a nighttime adventure in a library after hours. Amiable and amusing full-page illustrations, done in oils on paper, capture a sense of being alone in a big space and convey the warmth of wood tables and shelves full of books, but the text provides only an impressionistic and sketchy plot. Hermit Crab is missing from the puppet box after the librarian leaves, and Rabbit, who has been steeped in fairy tales, decides that she has been taken by a giant. Lion, more stolid and practical, finds a map that seems to point to landmarks within the building, but it tears as the friends pull at it. Lion folds the pieces into a boat, a sail, a captain's hat. Endearing as these puppets are to look at, they are frustrating to read about. The story reads, even aloud, like one improvised with puppets in hand: long on action and dialogue but with too many moments that pull against the center. Some of the magical elements seem inconsistent as well: Lion and Rabbit can sail the paper boat across the floor in the moonlight (the clock), but then dine on the remains of a real baloney sandwich and toast marshmallows over a lit match (in the library!!!). Overall, an appealing concept that doesn't quite live up to its magical promise.–Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. After the library closes for the evening, story hour puppets Rabbit and Lion search for their puppet-friend Hermit Crab. Armed with a map, a flashlight, and a picnic salvaged from the "ucky-blucky" trash can, they explore the dark library, afraid that giants may have eaten their friend. When they become lost, Lion makes a paper boat, and they sail across the library--into a rock that talks, which turns out to be Hermit Crab, on his own adventure. Then the three friends share a late-night snack "and read themselves to sleep under the stars." Softly colored illustrations show the puppets enjoying their after-hours freedom but apprehensive about what might be hiding in the library's dark corners. A charming story, with special appeal for children who are convinced their own toys come to life in their absence. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books (September 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689861702
• ISBN-13: 978-0689861703
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read for children who love books, July 19, 2006

By 

another constant reader (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Library Lights Go Out (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

What child doesn't love the library? This charming book explores a library after lights-out with some truly memorable characters. My four-year-old loved the adventure-filled search for a friend that ends in a midnight picnic. Katherine Tillotson's illustrations are beautifully rendered and capture the floppy, goofy fun of the two pals, Lion and Rabbit. A lovely book.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures! Terrible Story!, July 10, 2006

By 

Khyraen "Superintendent, Barlow Christian Aca... (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Library Lights Go Out (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

I checked this book out from the library because of the great illustrations hoping it would charm my children. The children showed no interest in the story and reading it anoyed and frustrated me.

The dialog is so poorly done that I think it insults a two-year-old child--it did mine. Even the charming Rabbit couldn't turn this book into a winner in my little daughter's rabbit-loving heart.

"I did," rabbit said. "Oh," lion replied. "Did you see that?" rabbit asked. "See what?" lion replied. This is not a quote from the book but it IS how the book reads. It sounds like a second grader (maybe a first grader) wrote the dialog.

Summary: This one isn't even worth risking a late charge on your library card because you forgot you had it at home and didn't return it on time.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Place, August 10, 2006

By 

Lisa V. Vahradian (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When the Library Lights Go Out (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

My 4 year old nephew first introduced me to this magical book when he whisked it off the shelf at our local bookstore and said that Lion and Rabbit just had to come home with us. And I'm glad they did! This is simply a charming story to curl up with over and over again. Katherine Tillotson's delightful and whimsical illustrations burst with life on every page. This book has become my nephew's favorite and I look forward to the next McDonald/Tillotson collaboration.