The Library

The creators of The Money Tree paint a blithe yet affectionate portrait of a woman whose life centers on reading. Elizabeth Brown's obsession begins in childhood: "She didn't like to play with dolls,/ She didn't like to skate./ She learned to read quite early/ And at an incredible rate." Stewart's nimble verse follows the bibliophile through the years as she fills her home with books. Finally, "when volumes climbed the parlor walls/ And blocked the big front door,/ She had to face the awful fact/ She could not have one more." Elizabeth then decides to share her wealth: she donates her collection to the town, turns her home into a library and-of course-continues to read voraciously. Attuned to the story's humor and period setting, Small's (George Washington's Cows) airy illustrations charm with historical touches and soothing pastel hues. Triple-ruled black borders and filigreed corners suggest a family album of old, while black-and-white spot art highlights details of a singular life. The book's dedication adds a poignant note: "To the memory of the real Mary Elizabeth Brown, Librarian, Reader, Friend 1920-1992." All ages. (Apr.)

K-Gr 4--A story told in witty rhyme, about bookish Elizabeth Brown, who "learned to read quite early/And at an incredible rate." The story follows the young bibliophile from infancy to old age, as she takes her greatest pleasures in life from her literary treats. As an elderly woman, she donates her house and all of her treasures to the town for a library, and moves in with a friend. Framed watercolors give the book an old-fashioned, scrapbooklike appearance, in keeping with the details and dress of a time gone by. Books topple over beds and line her halls and walls, taking over every inch of space in her spacious home. Elizabeth is never seen without a tome, whether vacuuming or exercising. Small black-ink line drawings decorate the verses below and often add an additional touch of humor. This is a funny, heartwarming story about a quirky woman with a not-so-peculiar obsession. Cheers for Elizabeth Brown, a true patron of the arts.--Trev Jones, School Library Journal

"Reading has never looked quite so delicious." —Booklist

"A story told in witty rhyme, about a bookish Elizabeth Brown, who . . . takes her greatest pleasures in life from her literary treats . . . This is a funny, heartwarming story about a quirky woman with a not-so-peculiar obsession. Cheers for Elizabeth Brown, a true patron of the arts." —School Library Journal

"The author and illustrator have created [a] strong, independent, iconoclastic heroine . . . The illustrations of glorious piles of more and more books and of happy, red-headed Elizabeth Brown and a friend reading by the fire . . . depict the acme of utter bliss for bibliomaniacs." —The Horn Book

"A joy to look at." —The New York Times Book Review