Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) [Hardcover]

Barbara Bottner (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, March 2010: If ever there were a perfect picture book for those so-called "reluctant readers" this is it. Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) tells the story of Missy, a little girl who rejects just about every story that comes her way. She complains that "They're too kissy. Too pink. And too silly." The tireless librarian Miss Brooks is not about to give up, nor is Missy's mom. When Missy realizes she'd like to read about warts, Mom comes through with an inspired choice that sets this picky reader on the path to book bliss. Leave it to the pros--author Barbara Bottner and illustrator Michael Emberley to hit the funny bone with this clever and quirky new read.  --Lauren Nemroff

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See Inside Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't)

(Click on Thumbnails to Enlarge)

Too Kissy, Too Pink, Too Silly	Stubborn, Smelly, Snorty Ogre

Missy 1	Missy 2	Missy 3

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From Booklist

A scowling first-grader in spectacles, a knitted hat, and overalls cannot stand her bubbly librarian, who dresses up in costumes for reading circle, where she introduces books about dragons, Pilgrims, presidents, and Groundhogs, even! For Book Week, everyone in class has to bring a favorite story, and the young girl has only grouchy comebacks for the other kids, who enthusiastically share books about trains (too clickety), fairies (too flowery), cowboys (too yuppity), and dogs (too furry). When the librarian sends the little rebel home with a bagful of books, she does not like any of them––until she finds a story about a stubborn, smelly, snorty ogre with warts, William Steig’s Shrek, and that makes her grab more books about ogres, just like her. The cartoon-style illustrations extend the comedy in images of the expressive girl and her librarian, who dresses in wild miniskirts, boots, and flowers and is far from the usual stereotype. Lots of fun for avid and reluctant readers alike. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375846824
• ISBN-13: 978-0375846823
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #16,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We LOVE Miss Brooks, her book (and the li'l book grinch!), March 17, 2010

By	D.J. McKenna (Pacific Palisades, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) (Hardcover)

A quirky gun-ho librarian meets her match in an equally quirky reluctant reader who dismisses every book Miss Brooks offers. "Too pink." "To yippity." The determined Miss Brooks carries on with hysterical aplomb (her 'storytime costumes' made me laugh out loud. OMG her ode to Hungry Catepillar is just too funny!) In the end, a perfect book for her picky reader is found. The ghastly "Shrek" wins the heart of the little book grinch. And this book won mine.

Dead-on humor in sly, mischievious wording by Barbara Bottner. Joyous illustrations by Michael Emberley -- that I predict will soon adorn every children's library in the country. (How could they not?!) Trust me, you're gonna LOVE Miss Brooks (and kids will be more than entertained. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let The Laughter Begin!, March 19, 2010

By	G.R. Davidson (Brentwood, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) (Hardcover)

You know a book is funny when the title alone makes you laugh. "Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't)" will have you and your child laughing out loud right through the very last page. It's impossible to resist loving and laughing with the characters that Barbara Bottner (through her hilarious story) and Michael Emberley (with his quirky illustrations) have created--from Miss Brooks, the whacky librarian who dresses up as her favorite picture book characters (including runaway bunnies and wild things) to Missy, the little curmudgeon who insists she does not like books ("they're too furry, too kissy, too pink"). Miss Brooks wants everyone to be as enthusiastic about reading as she is. But Missy can't seem to find anything positive about the books Miss Brooks, or anyone else, reads. Until...she discovers there is something she really wants to read about.
Miss Brooks, Missy and their hilarious antics will have you reading and re-reading this delightfully funny book. And it wouldn't be at all surprising if this is the book that inspires a love of reading and literature in your child.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, March 28, 2010

By	Barbara Schwartz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) (Hardcover)

An exhilarating read that will wake up the latent reader in any child. Not only is this book perfect for reluctant readers, but in a clever and ironic twist, it's great for book lovers, as well. Barbara Bottner's intrepid librarian picks out cherished children's books to read to her charges, allowing young and old readers to relive these stories and recall how they touched our lives. Infectious characters, dry wit and funny slapstick, and a story that commemorates children's literature as a whole combine to make "Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't)" deserving of all the critical and popular praise it has received.