Customer Reviews

Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't)

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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!)

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.

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.

This was such a fun book! The illustrations were endearing and the storyline was delightful. I know kids like this who just won't give reading a chance and I applaud Miss Brooks for her methods in winning over this child. This is a great book to share with a reluctant reader.

The truth and brilliance of this book take my breath away. This is a not a sentimental testimonial to the joys of reading but a realistic and oh-so-humorous tribute to those kids who challenge librarians every day by declaring, "I don't like to read."

This declaration is often a plea as they really DO want to find the right book to read but they are afraid it will never happen. The young girl in this story is one of those kids. Reading does not interest her. The librarian, Miss Brooks, never gives up though. She is relentless in her efforts to make the match between book and reader. When it does not happen she is non-judgmental and just keeps trying.

The crisis arises during Book Week as each student must share a book they love. What happens if you do not love a book?

Emberley's Miss Brooks is a zany, costumed, book loving, cheerleader who is not offended at the child's lack of interest. Her demented "Hungry Caterpillar" costume is worth the price of the book. The child's slouchy, short stature and pulled down hat/hands in her pockets demeanor, tell us a great deal about her expectations for reading success. Later, her jubilant face tells the rest of the story when she does find the right book at the right time that is worthy of her attention. The book she loves is a perfect match, full of warts and snorts.
I wish every child had a patient "Miss Brooks" in their life to help them all find the "right" book to love.

Librarians can be really funny. Miss Brooks was crazy about books. If there was a desk under all those books it would be a miracle. She had posters and signs that said things like "I love books" or "read." Of course the "love" was in the shape of a heart. Her love of books was as crazy as her hairstyle. Books made her smile, but they just made one little girl look bored. She just plain old did not like them. You name a book and Miss Brooks loved it. She would even dress up for story time and said, "I want you to get as excited about books as I am." Not very likely.

There was Halloween. Miss Brooks dressed up (ugh!) like a pumpkin. She loved to dress up for every holiday. She dressed up as a dragon, a leprechaun, a pilgrim, Abe Lincoln, and even a groundhog. Then when May came around Miss Brooks went crazy and said, "You each need to pick a favorite story to share with the class. I want you to wear a costume and tell us about it . . . " This Book Week could cause real problems for a girl who did NOT like books. It was time to ask her mother if they could move, but she just said "there's a librarian in every town." Was there ever going to be a book that a dedicated book hater might just fall in love with?

This charmingly hysterical tale will be the favorite of every librarian around, especially during Book Week. Of course, we can't forget the holidays. This book captures the very essence and enthusiasm of a dedicated librarian, one determined to make every last one of her young charges into book lovers (at least the lover of one). The artwork meshes perfectly with the story and of course everyone's favorite scene will likely be that of the smiling librarian buried in books at her desk. I loved the charming little twist at the end of the book. If this book isn't already on the shelves of your library, I'm sure someone, perhaps a dedicated librarian, will order it soon!

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me so much of our own local children's librarian. I love the art. The little girl in the story is so cute. I liked the use of books children are familiar with being used in the story. I can see this book being used as an interactive book in the schools or in library reading time. I took it to school and shared it with our Elementary Librarians, they loved it too.

"Ek, a freak" We read "Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't)" twice today. Once with friends during the day and then again at bedtime. We've read it every night for the last 8 days!

My 5 year old is in preschool this year and is learning letters and their sounds, recognizing words and reading the one's he is interested in. But some words he is coming across are long. . . and some letters all put together are hard to sound out. Sometimes reading is fun and sometimes it's frustrating. "Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't)" has given him courage and inspired him to keep trying to read.

This book helps cultivate the Love of words, great story and pictures that we all want our children to grow up with. SNORT! SNORT!

I found MISS BROOKS LOVES BOOKS(AND I DON'T)irresistable.The conflict between little Missy,
who hates books, and her teacher, who adores them, is enacted in preposterous, endearing, funny costumes that
Miss Brooks wears to illustrate characters and encourage reading. Missy's got attitude -- and will appeal
to children from all different backgrounds and cultures, and to young book lovers and detesters alike.
Finally comes the showdown: there is a book (SHREK) that lures our heroine into participating in the all-class
costume day when each child is to wear something from their favorite book. Perhaps my favorite moment is when Missy
dives in at last, passing out wart speckles to help the other kids celebrate her favorite book. Emberley's
humourous, colorful illustrations and Bottner's witty language will be appealing to renegades of any age, as
well as to we more obedient types.

At a time when reading is losing popularity with children but is essential to their education, I felt that this was a very appealing book for a young preschool or early elementary school student. Missy, a typical first grade precocious little girl, is determined not to read, but her mother and Miss Brooks are determined not to give up on her....and their strategies worked! It is a well illustrated and funny story, and I was happy to purchase it for my first grade granddaughter.