The Library Tree

by Deborah Cowley

This is the inspiring story of a Canadian woman who transformed a simple afternoon of reading to a group of children in her backyard in Ghana, Africa, into seven large community libraries in poor areas of the country’s capital, support for more than 200 smaller initiatives around Ghana and in other African countries, and a publishing venture that produces children’s books in English and Swahili.

Kathy Knowles now runs her volunteer-based Osu Children`s Library Fund out of her Winnipeg home with twice-yearly trips to Ghana. Her work promoting libraries and literacy continues – construction is now underway on a three-storey library in the area of the capital known as Korle Gonno.

“You are proof that the vision and actions of just one person can make a tremendous difference in so many lives!”
— Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada, following a visit to the Nima Library in November 2006.

Genres: Book Club

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Library Tree follows the journey of Canadian Kathy Knowles who has dedicated over twenty years to building libraries in Ghana. The author of this biography is a personal friend of Mrs.Knowels and that fact is very evident in the writing.

For a biography there wasn't too much smoke being blown. As a avid reader and someone who spends a lot of time at their local library I was very touched by all the work that Kathy has done to ensure that other children have the opportunity to have their own library and discover the magic of reading. Even more impressive is that Mrs. Knowles started all this without even having any experience working in libraries. It was interesting to see all of the obstacles and triumphs that came about.

The only thing that I didn't like was that I felt like some parts of the book were contradictory. The author seems to say what fits in at the time with the general mood that she wants to set and this leads to some issues. One example is when she goes on about how Ghanaians are extremely friendly and loving people but earlier had stated that Ghana has a huge issue with domestic abuse ,and how it is not uncommon to see women with black eyes and marks on their arms. I understand that there is good and bad in every country but there was just too much contradiction in its novel for me.

Overall this is an okay read. The author paints a vivid picture of Ghana and I was very impressed with all of the hard work put forth by Kathy ,but some areas of the book were a little too Kumbaya for me and I found the contradictions in the writing irksome. 2.5/5

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family has been an OCLF supporter since the very beginning (I used to babysit the Knowles children before they moved to Accra!), so this was a very special book for me to read. I'm so proud of Kathy and the incredible work that her Ghanaian and Canadian teams have done over the years. An inspiring story.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an inspiring book about a Winnipeg woman and her tireless efforts to bring books and literacy into the lives of Ghana's children. I highly recommend it, and fully intend to support the Osu Children's Library Fund.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an inspiring, incredible story of how one person can use their skills and privileges to help others.

[Nina Chachu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of the Osu Children's Libraries in Ghana - with emphasis on the role of Kathy Knowles (the founder), and her colleagues. An inspirational story.

[Jaelynne Wormenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading more and learning more about this woman. Her gentle leadership is admirable. I appreciate the ways in which she allows others to empower themselves in their own communities for bettering children's futures through the use of books!!!!

[B. Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Library Tree tells the story of Kathy Knowles, founder of the OSU Children’s Library Fund (www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca). She was named a “Transformational Canadian” in 2012 in recognition of her achievements. To date, the Fund has built seven large libraries and has assisted over 200 community libraries in several African countries. An amazing accomplishment, given that it all started with Kathy as a young mother reading to her children under a tree in her yard in Accra, Ghana. Definitely a case of, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”

Deborah Cowley is able to recount this exciting story because she herself has been to Ghana several times and has spent months volunteering her time in support of Kathy Knowles’ numerous and varied initiatives. She quotes many of Kathy’s friends and collaborators over the years, but it is her first-hand descriptions of Accra and of the efforts involved in accomplishing even the smallest task that bring the story to life. This is a fascinating read and a good gift for anyone interested in development work, literacy or just finding out what one determined and inspiring person can accomplish with patience and hard work.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. The woman in this book is making an incredible difference in the world especially its children through books and reading. It was amazing how it started as reading to her children and some neighborhood children while she was in Ghana and expanded outwards into other areas of Ghana, then Africa and then the world. The writing was however a bit choppy and often at the end of chapters it sounded like a conclusion but then it would continue again in the next chapter. An inspirational book.

[Tracy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being an avid library explorer of books, I found it inspiring that such a small, naturally inducted idea could grow into something so engaging for a vast number of people. I also enjoyed that it was a fellow Canadian. Most of the other 'do good for a community" movement book I've read recently have been inspired by American expats.