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The Lonely Book
by
Kate Bernheimer (Goodreads Author),
Chris Sheban
When a wonderful new book arrives at the library, at first it is loved by all, checked out constantly, and rarely spends a night on the library shelf. But over time it grows old and worn, and the children lose interest in its story. The book is sent to the library's basement where the other faded books live. How it eventually finds an honored place on a little girl's books...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 24th 2012
by Schwartz & Wade
(first published February 14th 2012)
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(showing
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Wow, wow, wow! Think Corduroy, but about a book. The library book is popular at first, but over time becomes worn and spends more time on the shelf than in the hands of a child. Then, one special little girl finds the library book and falls in love with it and treasures it until a new book catches her interest and she forgets to renew the library book and can no longer find it on the shelves of the library. The girl and the book reunite at the book sale and the happily ever after begins.
This st...more
This st...more
In a word - cozy.
The children's love of a new book. We have all seen it. A book new to the library, given the enviable position atop the shelves, and all the kids clamor for their turn to bring the brand-new book home. Until one day, the new book is replaced by other new books (sounds like my own bookshelves). The new book isn't so new, and is placed on a shelf. It doesn't mind its home, but one day Alice finds it and falls in love with the story, as children sometimes do. Unfortunately, the boo...more
The children's love of a new book. We have all seen it. A book new to the library, given the enviable position atop the shelves, and all the kids clamor for their turn to bring the brand-new book home. Until one day, the new book is replaced by other new books (sounds like my own bookshelves). The new book isn't so new, and is placed on a shelf. It doesn't mind its home, but one day Alice finds it and falls in love with the story, as children sometimes do. Unfortunately, the boo...more
I love the way my three-year-old picks books at the library. She runs at a break-neck pace, pulling anything that looks interesting or has substance (and by "substance" I don't mean it in the metaphorical way, I mean in the "it has mass and can be picked up" sort of way) off shelves and plopping them in the basket below the stroller. I rarely even see what the titles are before we get home. Limiting her to ten books or less is often impossible.
Many of these "choices" result in myself being requi...more
Many of these "choices" result in myself being requi...more
Apr 27, 2012
Joella www.cinjoella.com
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
library,
picture-book
The new book at the library sits out front where lots of people can see it and check it out. Eventually it moves to the children's section where it is still checked out, though not as often. Soon this little picture book is sitting at the library "lonely" and unread. Until a little girl comes and loves the book and checks it out. This is the story of many books and their cycle of how they live at the library (although it isn't totally realistic in that any book that is missing pages or has large...more
Apr 08, 2012
Jennifer Peterson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
review-books
I will admit that I teared up while reading this book. When I was a little girl, I often wondered what happened to the books in the library. This story answers that question.
A book is sitting on the shelf, and it is well-loved by all of the kids. However, it eventually falls from popularity. A little girl picks up the book and immediately falls in love with it. As is the case with library books, she has to return it.
The book ends up in the library's basement, dreaming of the little girl who love...more
A book is sitting on the shelf, and it is well-loved by all of the kids. However, it eventually falls from popularity. A little girl picks up the book and immediately falls in love with it. As is the case with library books, she has to return it.
The book ends up in the library's basement, dreaming of the little girl who love...more
May 12, 2012
Connie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012,
easy-picture-book
I love this book! It actually brought a tear to my eye! Probably from a sentimental adult point of view because I've recently been going through my personal books I owned as a child. They're well-loved and as I pick each and every one up I can remember the delight I had reading them as a child.
This story of the life of a library book touches that part of me and as a professional librarian who takes delight in weeding I began to think sadly about all those books I've removed from the shelves ove...more
This story of the life of a library book touches that part of me and as a professional librarian who takes delight in weeding I began to think sadly about all those books I've removed from the shelves ove...more
The magic of imagination and love of reading is captured here in Kate Bernheimer’s The Lonely Book with such warmth, light, and love. A treat for readers of all ages to experience.
I believe books find us in life. When we need them, words and stories find a way to our hearts. Over the years, books have crossed my path with just the right magical mix of words, fun filled adventure, or soul soothing message just when I craved a laugh, distraction, or helping hand. Pure reading kismet!
This tale hold...more
4 likes · like · see review
Apr 08, 2013
Karina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
finding-motivation-through-books,
imagination
Have you ever wondered what a book goes through in its lifetime? Well, in the story "The Lonely Book" a little girl named Alice discovers what happens to books in the library. She comes across a brand new book when she is little and instantly falls in love with it. Later on though, when she wants to relive her childhood memories, she can't find the book anywhere. This story goes to show just how special books can be and how much of an impact they can have on our lives. The story also shows reade...more
Mr. Schu sent this along as a bonus book when I won Hello! Hello! I'm so glad he did! It's about a new book who was loved and borrowed all the time from the library. As years passed, it was taken from the shelf less and less until it became lonely. Eventually, after it was dropped, it was lost in the library until a little girl found it and loved it. She mistakenly leaves it at the library when returning some other books, but when she goes back to get it, it's gone. Time passed and the little gi...more
Jul 27, 2012
Linda
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
read-2112
This newly published book grabbed me immediately because of the wonderful cover and the intriguing title. I love books about books and this is one to add to your collection. It’s about a sweet book that happens to be a little shabby and missing its last page, but a little girl falls in love with the story and makes up her own ending. It’s not quite as simple as that, for the plot takes a few paths before the book finds its own happy ending. This can invite such good conversation and/or writing a...more
Bernheimer, Kate - The Lonely Book - illustrated by Chris Sheban - Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012.
**A little girl finds an old book that was once a favorite, but is now forgotten. She loves this book and it has a special place in her heart. The last page is missing, but Alice doesn’t mind. She makes up the ending herself. One day she cannot find it at the library and she is very sad, but she goes on to check out many more wonderful books. Her favorite book has been mistakenly put into the basem...more
**A little girl finds an old book that was once a favorite, but is now forgotten. She loves this book and it has a special place in her heart. The last page is missing, but Alice doesn’t mind. She makes up the ending herself. One day she cannot find it at the library and she is very sad, but she goes on to check out many more wonderful books. Her favorite book has been mistakenly put into the basem...more
Jun 08, 2012
Lisa Vegan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
readers who love old books, and all books, with a bit of a caveat for certain sensitive kids
I have mixed feelings about this book. As I read it today, I loved it. I love old books, and books in general.
But, (view spoiler) there is a deep melancholy feel to this book.
Also, the story could be particularly emotionally difficult for children who are that the developmental stage of believing their beloved inanimate objects have sentience and feelings. The lonely book does suffer quite a bit. I’d have been quite perturbed and sad if I’d had...more
But, (view spoiler) there is a deep melancholy feel to this book.
Also, the story could be particularly emotionally difficult for children who are that the developmental stage of believing their beloved inanimate objects have sentience and feelings. The lonely book does suffer quite a bit. I’d have been quite perturbed and sad if I’d had...more
Oct 18, 2012
Samantha DuPree
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
dupree-digital-bookshelf
Once a brand new book came to the library and was checked out for days and days. The book had a little girl under a toadstool on the cover and many children were drawn to its bright cover and fresh pages. As time wore on, the book was moved to the bookshelf but it was still happy because children still checked it out. But then as the years passed, children forgot about the book and it became lonely. When one day, a little girl named Alice found the book hidden under a rocking chair and took it...more
First off this book made me tear up... The main character name is Alice...a nice name if I say so myself. It is about a book that everyone for year loved. It got checked out a lot. The after some time it gets checked out less and less and then rarely. Then one day it gets lost in a corner and a girl named Alice, picks it up and reads it. She checks it out over and over again. Then one day the book accidentally gets taken to the basement for a book sale. Alice is very sad. Then years later she fi...more
Full review at Cracking the Cover
“The Lonely Book” is a delightful idea. It really makes one think about the lives books in the library lead. It’s beautifully illustrated with the soft feel to it that feels as homey and comfortable as a treasured book. The story, however, is quite long, and might be hard for beginning readers to sit through. I would suggest it for children who have longer attention spans. That aside, it’s a sweet picture book that’s a refreshing change from all the bells and whi...more
“The Lonely Book” is a delightful idea. It really makes one think about the lives books in the library lead. It’s beautifully illustrated with the soft feel to it that feels as homey and comfortable as a treasured book. The story, however, is quite long, and might be hard for beginning readers to sit through. I would suggest it for children who have longer attention spans. That aside, it’s a sweet picture book that’s a refreshing change from all the bells and whi...more
Beautifully illustrated little book. A new book is placed in the library, but as time goes by and the newness wears off, the book is cast aside and becomes sad and lonely. A little girl comes across it by accident and the book is happy again for a short time, until it is returned and sent to the cast off pile. Eventually the book winds up at an outdoor book sale, overlooked on the tables, until the rain starts and the staff starts frantically clearing things away. "Wait!" a voice cries. "I'm sur...more
I'm so glad that my friend, Alyson Beecher, introduced me to this little gem about a girl named Alice who "adopts" a lonely book. When they part ways--as often happens with our books sometimes--she goes to try to find it again.
I guess this story resonates with me because I spent some time last year trying to identify a book from my own childhood. With some searching, I was able to find the very edition I had as a nine-year-old living in n. Michigan.
Librarians especially will love this little boo...more
I guess this story resonates with me because I spent some time last year trying to identify a book from my own childhood. With some searching, I was able to find the very edition I had as a nine-year-old living in n. Michigan.
Librarians especially will love this little boo...more
When the book first arrived at the library, it was shiny and new. It was placed on display and a long list of children waited to read it. Then the book was moved to the regular children’s shelves with other books that were not so new too. It was still happy, since it got checked out often. But as the book grew older, it got checked out less and less. It had a tear and was missing its last page. Then one day, a girl found the book, read it and loved it. She took it home, carried it to school with...more
Sep 29, 2012
Jeanette Johnson
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books
Certainly my kind of book. Who can resist a well loved book. This is a story about a book that got a lot of attention when it was new, some attention when put on the regular shelves and then after being neglected for some time a little girl finds it. She gives it much love and attention and then leaves it at the library. She never saw it again until the library has a book sale and she finds it and takes it home. Beautiful watercolor, graphite and colored pencil illustration compliment this lovel...more
So, here I am tearing up at this one like a goofball, and Hugh, my reader, is all intrigued and listening intently. I finish and think, wow, that was a great book! And Hugh says, "That was a good one, Mama." And CC says, "Ugh, that was long." :-/ So, maybe not a book for the four and under set, but great for older. I will say that when I wished her sweet dreams, she said, "I'm going to dream about living with fairies like that girl in the book." So maybe she didn't think it was too bad. ;)
This book eloquently expresses the relationship kindled between a reader and the "right book at the right time". It poignantly follows the life of a book in all its fresh newness to its final, bedraggled state. Nonetheless it is remembered, loved, and ultimately treasured by one special child. This is a perfect title for anyone who has found a true connection to a special book. As a children's librarian, I couldn't ask for more for any of my readers. (Reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit...)
Jan 17, 2012
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-books,
library-books
This is the book for all my coworkers who do not want to get rid of that last tattered copy of that book they loved when they were a child, because it keeps checking out--even though it is missing a whole page and the pages are torn, and it may have been out in the rain, or under a chair. Well this book has a happily ever after for them--sadly if I was that librarian I probably would have discarded the book with the missing page when the page first was torn out.
Every adult who grew up with a favored book will love this sweet story because they will relate to the concept of an old book as an old treasured friend. I'm not sure what the picture book audience will think of it, though. The crowd that is reading picture books seems too young to relate to the story. But, picture books do seem to have a large and varied audience, so hopefully this one will find a home. Just like "The Lonely Book".
Touching story of a library book that gets checked out less and less over time. Becoming tattered and damaged but still desiring to be read and enjoyed. Books like this always amazing me. Why is it that I am tearing up over an objects that feels unloved and discarded??? Same feeling i'm sure many people had after watching Toy Story. Thinking twice, for at least a time, before discarding those once loved toys.
It was the drawing of the little mop top on the cover. I know someone who looked like that a while ago. Charming story about a lost book and a little girl who held a special place in her heart even after she lost track of the book.
Quote: "Over time, Alice forgot about the book. Though she never really stopped loving it."
Lovely book for anyone who truly loves books and treasures them with great zeal.
Quote: "Over time, Alice forgot about the book. Though she never really stopped loving it."
Lovely book for anyone who truly loves books and treasures them with great zeal.
The life cycle of a library book! From much sought after "new" status, to regular old shelfer, to hidden gem... to forgotten, beat-up old book, this storybook gets a second chance at the library booksale, to go home with a little girl who cherishes the book, even though it's worn-out and dusty, with the final page ripped out. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations have a softly smudged gentle quality.
This is a melancholy story of a forgotten library book, but is so touching, too. I love how the little girl, Alice, grows to love the book despite its imperfections, possibly because of its imperfections. This illustrtions are wonderful and have subtle shading, with an almost pointilistic feel. The story just seems magical and has a heartwarming ending. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
I love books, I truly do, but I can't imagine a child enjoying this one. It reads like an older adult's nostalgic view of classic books. And really, "a hardworking library volunteer?!?" I do not dispute that library volunteers work very, very hard, but using that clunky language in a children's book? So the volunteers are the ones to blame for the book being mislaid? Not a favorite.
May 28, 2012
Michael
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
daily-five-read-to-self,
picture-books
Bernheimer has written the ultimate "good fit" book tale. If it is all about relationships, she captures a great story about a lasting relationship between a book and a young girl that ebbs and flos (a little like the Velveteen Rabbit and Edward Tulane). Reading teachers should have it on their shelves. The illustrations are by Sheban who did the cover for Because of Winn Dixie.
I loved this story. Even wanted to tear up. I loved how this little girl loved this particular beat up book that no one else would love or even pay attention to. In the end the little girl is reunited with her beloved book and the librarian mentioned it was her favorite book as a child also. I felt the emotions throughout this book. The author did well!
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Kate Bernheimer is the author of three novels and the story collection Horse, Flower, Bird, as well as children's books. Among other books, she edited the World Fantasy Award winning My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales and the forthcoming xo Orpheus: 50 New Myths.
More about Kate Bernheimer...
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Sep 24, 2012 10:25am