Stella Louella's Runaway Book [Hardcover]

Lisa Campbell Ernst (Author)

Book Description

As she tries to find the book that she must return to the library that day, Stella gathers a growing group of people who have all enjoyed reading the book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst (Bubba and Trixie) gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars. Cereal spills from an overturned box, macaroni tumbles out of the cupboard and a marmalade-hued cat takes refuge in the arms of Stella Louella's father as the girl feverishly tears apart the kitchen in search of her missing library book?due by five o'clock that day. She consults her brother, Sam, who left it by the mailbox, which leads her to their letter carrier, who picked it up with the mail and left it at the house on the corner. He then joins the growing search party, which continues to increase as each person Stella queries directs her to someone else. The parade eventually winds its way to the library with just five minutes to go, where the kind librarian announces she had already found the book?on a bench outside the building. Aside from the bustling cartoon artwork, what distinguishes this rather predictable tale is the spectrum of voices Ernst works into her narrative. Each character chimes in a reaction to the book based on his or her occupation or interest and simultaneously offers clues to its identity. The back cover and front flap carry a clever rubber stamp-like message: "Whatever you do, don't lose this book!" Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-"On Saturday morning, Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act." So begins this rollicking tale of visual clues and reader anticipation as a cavalcade of characters retrace their steps throughout town in order to locate the child's book. Clues to the name of the missing title are cleverly concealed in the dialogue and pictures, making this a great story for reading out loud. The search party eventually winds up at what appears to be a dead end-a bench at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. However, this happens to be right in front of the library, so Stella and crew walk inside to break the news to the librarian, whom, they discover, has the book. The day is saved. From the front cover of a library card and date-due slips to the fly papers of packed bookshelves to the borders of due-date labels framing each page, this book exudes the familiarities of readers and libraries. Ernst's homey illustrations, rendered in soft pastels and pencils, are in perfect unison with the lively tone of the story. Children will enjoy studying each page for clues and hidden jokes. Order two copies-one for reading out loud (try pairing it with Suzanne Williams's Library Lil [Bantam, 1993] for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, N.-- for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.
Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689818831
• ISBN-13: 978-0689818837
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful "Mystery" for Children and Librarians Alike!, March 29, 2001

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stella Louella's Runaway Book (Hardcover)

I've read this fun book to several primary classes in our elementary school library, to the great delight of the children. It's a cumulative story in the sense that more and more people join Stella in the search for her missing library book, because "it's due today by five o'clock."

But another fun aspect of this story is the mystery behind the title of the runaway book. As Stella and her entourage meet each new person who has seen the book, another clue is given about the title, although it is never given. However by the time children have finished hearing "Stella Louella," they know that she had checked out "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." My students were thrilled and proud of uncovering the mystery before we finished the book!

As a librarian, my favorite part of the book is when Mrs. Graham, the librarian in the story, says her favorite part of the book is the same as with every book, "when someone READS it!"

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for both children and adults, December 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Stella Louella's Runaway Book (Hardcover)

It's always a treat to find a children's book that combines good writing, wonderful illustrations, and an entertaining story. So often, the books children go for are lacking in both plot and writing quality. Children will never grow up to read good books if they're not exposed to good writing early on!! On the other hand, visually beautiful books that parents love often leave kids cold. This book combines all the best qualities in children's books. My 6-year-old daughter and I both loved Stella Louella. It is sure to become a family favorite. This book would make a great gift, especially if there is a librarian in the family!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Runaway booky, March 8, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stella Louella's Runaway Book (Hardcover)

You'd be surprised at the amount of library-related agonizing a child can go through when he or she is given the awesome responsibility of their first library card. As a children's librarian I use a variety of picture books to draw on these fears and then put them safely to rest. Books like "D.W.'s Library Card" and "Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book" are invaluable for this purpose. "Stella Louella's Runaway Book" is a bit different from these, but not by much. Harping on the ability some children's books have of moving about seemingly of their own free will, the story follows Stella Louella's quest to track down her elusive book and return to the library before it is TOO LATE.

In the first few pages we see a montage of Stella Louella reading her book everywhere. In bed, on the floor, with breakfast, in the tub (oog), and so on. But as we're told right off the bat, "On Saturday morning Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act". What ensues is a frantic search for the missing item, due that day at five o' clock. Each person that Stella and her slowly growing capadres ask about the story, makes some kind of a comment on its plot. As we meet more and more people, we slowly figure out that Stella's book was undoubtedly Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Finally, after questioning the police, chair repair shops and even mattress dealers, Stella and company discover the book's final satisfying location.

It's hard to dislike a book where the endpapers show all the characters we've met in the story triumphantly marching through the library, books to check out in hand. The story's nice enough, though nothing special. The idea that each person Stella asks has a personal connection to her story (for example, the police officer calls it a classic case of breaking and entering) is nice, but it gets strained. I was a little surprised we didn't meet a bear trainer at some point. But the cumulative frenzy builds nicely and the huge crowd at the end is a wonderful audience to hear about where the book at last meets its final destination. As for the illustrations, they are sweet and serve their purpose well.

To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that I'm a librarian and this book plays to my sympathies, I might easily give it only three stars. But because it does encourage kids to go to the library, I give a fine healthy four. Reading this book to your child will go particularly well if they're familiar enough with Goldilocks to understand the references to it without help. As it is, it's a fun story with a cute twist. A fine welcome-to-the-library-type-book.