OUR LIBRARY

Bunting wastes no time getting started in this energetic story about a small-town library in jeopardy. On the first page, a group of assorted woodland creatures are told by their librarian that the library needs too many repairs and must close. The enterprising animals decide to take out books on roof repairs and painting, and they get the library spiffed up in no time. Miss Goose (the librarian) is pleased, but says they still need more money to stay open, so after a few more books, they solve this problem—and others that crop up. The story’s simple plot moves along, but the animals solve their problems so quickly that the tension disappears before it has a chance to build. This might be comforting to younger readers, but a bit boring to older ones. No surprises here and not billed to be a future classic, but entertaining and useful, with Smith’s lively watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations providing a happy, small-town context. Librarians will probably find it hard to pass up. (Picture book. 4-7)