Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

Winter (Nasreen's Secret School) again roots a heartening and informative story in real life. Festive acrylic paintings transport readers to the lush Colombian jungle, where the wife of an avid reader grumbles that his extensive book collection is cluttering their house ("What are we going to do, eat books with our rice?"). To solve the problem, Luis builds crates and packs them with books that he delivers—via burro—to adults and children in remote parts of the country. During a trip to El Tormento, one of the burros refuses to leave a stream where they've paused ("The children are waiting for us!" Luis coaxes), and a bandit who leaps out from the shadows grudgingly accepts a book instead of silver. Upon his arrival, Luis distributes piglet masks for children to wear as he reads them a tale about three renowned little pigs. Tropical colors ignite Winter's art, which has a pleasant folk art feel and an almost feltlike texture (the pages are rich with songbirds and smiley-faced butterflies). Winter concludes with a brief profile of the actual Luis. Ages 6-9. (June)

Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

K-Gr 2 One person can make a difference, and in this book Luis Soriano makes all the difference in the world. A Colombian schoolteacher with a passion for reading, he had so many books in his house that he decided to take them to children high up in the mountains where no libraries existed. With the help of two burros, Soriano made the mountainous trek each weekend to spread literacy where it was desperately needed. Winter has a gift for creating nonfiction that is accessible to and appeals to very young readers. The story is well told, and the colorful illustrations reflect the flora and fauna of Colombia. Back matter offers a bit more information about this generous and dedicated teacher who got books into the hands of so many people. Pair this title with Margaret Ruurs's "My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World" (Boyds Mills, 2005) for some great conversations. Winter ends the book by saying, "A small corner of the world is enriched." What a terrific way to help children think about their role in doing the same."Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

* Winter's captivating paintings evoke a South American feel in their brilliant palette...Winter's text is spare and streamlined, as usual, and here it has a particularly engaging, repetitive rhythm that builds into a lulling bedtime beat...Both understated and full of life, this satisfying story is a vibrant reminder of the pleasures of books and the difference one individual can make.—Booklist, starred review