LOTTIE PARIS AND THE BEST PLACE

Librarians get out your order pads; this picture-book homage to libraries is a charmer.

Lottie Paris’ dad takes her to the library, where she looks for books on planets and stars. Carl’s sister drives him to the library, where he finds dinosaur books. For both, the library is “the best place in the world.” Lottie Paris knows the rules: no dogs, no yelling, no coloring on the pages. Carl knows not to blow bubbles in front of the librarian, not to eat yogurt or to read books under the table while pretending people’s feet are dinosaur snacks. Naturally, Lottie Paris and Carl meet when they are looking for their favorite books and discover that not only is the library the best place to find books, it’s also the best place to be friends. The mixed-media illustrations (gouache, linocuts, stamping and airbrush) inject exuberance into the simple storyline. Carl is redheaded and freckle-faced, and Lottie Paris is African-American with a brown Afro. The scenes extend off the pages, drawing attention to the details that embellish the text.

Bound to be a favorite for storytimes, classroom sharing and pre-library visits. After all, libraries are the best place. (Picture book. 5-8)