THE CHILDREN WHO LOVED BOOKS

The phrase “there’s no such thing as too many books” sums up this whimsical story.

Angus and Lucy don’t have a television set, a car or even a house (the illustrations show a trailer). What they do have is hundreds and hundreds of books. They are piled, propped and stacked everywhere, overwhelming their small home (a humorous cartoon double-page spread shows books pouring out of door and windows, burying the family). The books have to go, and Angus’ dad hauls them off with his bike, with considerable effort. But things aren’t the same without them; bowls slide off the table, and Angus can’t reach the window without piles of books to stand on. Not only is there now physical space inside, but also unwelcome space separating the family members. That is, until the day that Lucy brings home a book from the library, and Mom and Dad read it far into the night: They are all hooked—again. The playful art, set against white backgrounds, furnishes details not mentioned in the text (the trailer, household pets) and conveys the casual lifestyle of the family.

The catchy cover of this Australian import nicely sets up the warm and loving story within.