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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Williams | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Jefferson Public Library | P WILLIAMS, S. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Mount Angel Public Library | E WILLIAMS | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Stayton Public Library | E WILLIAMS | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
By the time she was eight, Lil had read every children's book in the library and was working her way through the encyclopedias. So it's no surprise to anyone when she grows up to become the librarian of nearby Chesterville. Unfortunately, folks there haven't opened a book in twentyyears -- they're too busy watching TV.Then one night a storm knocks out all the electricity, and Lil knows it's her one chance to turn these townsfolk into readers. But trouble is ahead when Bust-em-up Bill comes along and can't find a TV on which to watch his favorite show.This original tall tale combined with Steven Kellogg's hilarious illustrations is sure to lure kids away from the TV set and into the world of books.Suzanne Williams has been a children's librarian for twenty years. The author of four previous books, she lives in Washington State. Steven Kellogg is the award-winning author-illustrator of many popular books for Dial, including The Mysterious Tadpole , now in a special 20th anniversary book and toy package. He also illustrated The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash , which has just been published in Spanish.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4A librarian's favorite fantasy. Lil the librarian is discouraged because no one comes to her dynamite storytimes, and no one checks out her terrific new books. The whole town would rather watch TV. Then one happy, stormy night, the power fails and stays off for two solid weeks. Lil pushes (credit her childhood practice lifting encyclopedias) the bookmobile (dead battery) around town andpresto!changes vacant-eyed boob tubers into avid readers. But pretty soon, here comes trouble in the person of Bust-'em--up Bill, the tattooed leader of the (gasp) motorcycle gang. Bill blames Lil because there's no danged TV in the pool hall. Confrontation in the library parking lot! Bill's gang is waiting right where Lil wants to park her bookmobile. Will they move their bikes? Are you kidding? Nobody messes with Big Bad Bill, except of course, our heroine Lil. One by one, she tosses them aside, earning the respect of the not-so-scary desperadoes. The payoff is reading books, and since these guys are not academically gifted, Lil starts them off with Easys (Kellogg titles, natch). Pretty soon Lil has a new assistant. Bust-'em-up Bill is now Bookworm Bill, and the two even watch a little TV now and then. The silliness of both story and pictures are perfectly matched. Kellogg's distinctive toothy kids and laughing cats crowd the pages, fitting right in with the baby-faced biker banditos. A winner for storytimes anywhere.Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
"Lighthearted yet illuminating, this is a volume bound to lure kids from the TV screen," said PW about this story of a bibliophile determined to get her boob tube-loving town reading. Ages 4-8. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Lil is a larger-than-life librarian who manages to turn a town full of television addicts into readers, and even converts members of a tough motorcycle gang into library lovers. Though the tall tale is overly didactic, Kellogg's trademark detailed, exaggerated illustrations suit the outrageous story. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Move over, Paul Bunyan--here comes Library Lil, who can toss a motorbike over her head like an apple core, balance a set of encyclopedias on the palm of one hand, speed-read every book in the children's room, tell a whale of a story, and convert an entire town to reading. Williams (Made in China, 1997, etc.) teams up with Kellogg for an exuberant, tongue-in-cheek adventure that will certainly strike a chord with book lovers. Lil, who always wanted to be a librarian, works in Chesterville, where the people watch too much television (which Lil labels ``the Devil's Invention''). When a horrible storm takes down the power lines, Lil seizes her chance, pushing the bookmobile up and down the darkened streets and making sure that every man, woman, and child has a book to read. By the time electricity is restored two weeks later, the whole town is full of readers. When Bust-'em-up and his motorcycle gang roar into town and park in Lil's spot, there are more changes in the wind: Soon Bust-'em-up Bill becomes Bookworm Bill, and Lil finds time for a little Tuesday night wrestling on television. Great fun, with Kellogg's watercolors working hand-in-glove to put the humor of the tale over the top. (Picture book. 5-8)
Booklist Review
Ages 4^-8. The people of Chesterville don't attend Library Lil's story time or check out books despite her best efforts--they are too busy watching TV. But the indomitable Lil, who combines a passion for reading with the physical strength of a superhero, manages to convert the television watchers, and starts the members of a motorcycle gang squabbling over The Mouse and the Motorcycle. The rollicking story enables Kellogg to add another tall-tale figure to his body of work, as he pictures Lil with an exuberant smile and slips sly jokes and funny details into every picture. When using this great story-hour pick, be sure to show the back of the jacket, which gives the story its happy ending: it shows a bride and groom on top of a wedding cake, reading a book together. --Susan Dove Lempke