School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-An effervescent librarian welcomes a class, highlights various genres of books along with kid-grabbing titles (about dragon-battling, cake-baking, magic-making, and more), and invites the youngsters to browse. Jaunty rhymes and color-drenched digital illustrations depict a just-right library visit that culminates with a busload of kids who can't wait to get reading. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
In this companion to The Best Place to Read and The Best Time to Read, a boy describes his class trip to the library. The singsongy rhymes sometimes stumble. Synthetic-looking digital illustrations feature the kids' fantasies (e.g., they ward off a dragon) as inspired by the librarian's reading suggestions (such as The Days of the Knights by Lance O'Lot). (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
In Bertram and Bloom's rhymed tale, a librarian introduces a troop of youngsters to books on all sorts of subjects--exploration, science, cooking, pets--that the illustrations interpret by transporting a couple of youngsters into a representative scene. The librarian holds up a cookbook by Martha Muffin on the left-hand page; the full-bleed image on the facing page depicts three of the kids baking a cake, and so on. Garland's distinctive artwork is well known by now, with its combination of soft and sharp elements, its cutout feel and subtle warping. The illustrations' good cheer complements the feel-good message well, although the product-placement of his books irks, even if intended as tongue-in-cheek. The uneven text, however, hurts the most, some of it rolling along, some of it an off-beat mouthful: "Here's a book about being a trainer. / 'Sit!' 'Stay!' and 'Play dead!' / 'Do not jump on Mom's bed!' / Training dogs will become a no-brainer." This well-intentioned celebration of reading is not, alas, the best book for the job. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
During his class trip to the library, a boy discovers that everyone can find a book that appeals to him or her. The welcoming, enthusiastic librarian encourages browsing; shares some library information (kids here can get their own cards); and booktalks titles about dragon adventures, bugs, and outer space. With so many book options, how can kids choose? Finally, after the students have made their selections, the boy concludes: From page one to the end, a good book is a friend. /Now we all have the best book to read! The rhyming text incorporates a little slang (no-brainer) and the librarian's peppy, brief intros to imaginary titles (such as Magic Tricks, by Harry Huckster the boy's choice). The slick, colorful computer art includes fanciful scenarios inspired by the librarian's book descriptions.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2008 Booklist
