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Stella Louella's Runaway Book
Studious Stella Louella is frantic trying to find her missing library book and return it by the due date. She ends up visiting everyone in town, including the people at the fix-it shop and diner, the police officer, the scouts, and everyone in between. Full-color illustrations.
40 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1998
3 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Campbell Ernst
79 books22 followersLisa Campbell Ernst was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1957. She received a Bachelor's degree in art from the University of Oklahoma, and then won an internship as a guest editor for Mademoiselle Magazine in New York City. She has written and illustrated over twenty picture books including Stella Louella's Runaway Book, which won the Children's Choice Award in Kansas, and Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
September 1, 2009
Another "Storytime with Grandma Tash" five star recommendation for my wonderful grandchildren-readers! Jennie, Ethan & Kate discovered this book and insisted that I check it out. They were right - it's a great book!! Stella Louella can't find her library book and it is due by five-o-clock!!! She and her family and friends go on a search that takes them all over town. Will they find it in time? And can you figure out the name of that missing library book from the clues they give you along the way? I'll bet you can!!! Don't forget to check out this book!!
September 26, 2017
A fun story with an important message. I grabbed this book as part of my resource collection and really enjoyed it. Definitely would use this to remind kids to return their library books.
October 26, 2021
2.5. why's there gotta be a cop. cops out of libraries please
September 2, 2009
Stella Louella has lost her library book and it absolutely, positively must be returned by 5pm! My favorite book to read to children as an introduction to the library. Stella's book gets passed around the town and as she chases it (with a growing crowd) each shares their favorite part of the story. A fun guessing game for the listeners who try to figure out the name of the book Stella had checked out from the library.
March 21, 2017
Anyone loving books understands the importance of taking care of their worth, especially while on loan from the library. Stella grasps this notion and gets her neighborhood involved in tracking down a "runaway" book.
Keep watch of your books, kids. They are important. But, don't worry. You won't lose your library card. Recommended.
Keep watch of your books, kids. They are important. But, don't worry. You won't lose your library card. Recommended.
May 28, 2015
Booklist Vol. 94, No. 22 (August 1998)
Ages 4-7. Stella Louella has lost her library book, and the whole town joins in to find it. First, she goes to her brother, who read it--he liked the bears--and left it by the mailbox. The mailman mixed it up with the mail--he liked the part about going for a walk--and left it with another girl. The little girl with golden curls liked the girl in the book, but she passed it on to Officer Tim--he liked the part about the break-in. Soon a crowd of people are barreling into the library with Stella Louella. She must give the awful news of the missing book to the librarian, Mrs. Graham--who has found the book on the bench outside the library. Although Mrs. Graham is perfectly nice, the message that losing a book is a terrifying experience (and one that will personally disappoint librarians) may discourage the very kids librarians want as patrons. The best part of the book is Ernst's hurly-burly pictures that delightfully portray the ever-increasing crowd that follows Stella Louella on her search. Preschoolers will also like adding up the clues--both the visual and those in the text--that reveal the book as Goldilocks.
Horn Book Guide Spring 1999
Stella Louella, her family, and friends search the neighborhood for her missing library book. A cumulative tale, the story gains momentum as a letter carrier, police officer, athlete, and others join the hunt, sharing their own favorite parts of the lost book. Pen-and-ink and pastel illustrations accelerate the somewhat contrived and overlong story, but librarians will welcome this take on overdue books.
Kirkus Reviews 1998
This cumulative tale from Ernst (Duke the Dairy Delight Dog, 1996, etc.) features Stella, who is all in a dither because she has misplaced her library book. Her father starts the ball rolling when he asks, "Think. Where did you have it last?" The hammock, hoots Stella, but when she and her father get there they learn that Stella's brother has left the book on the front porch. The three of them rush to the porch only to find that the mailman gave the book to a girl down the street. The four of them, and all the rest who join them, go on a merry chase around town; Stella gets increasingly frantic, and the crowd grows arithmetically. The book is finally located and Stella's name is still good with Mrs. Graham, the librarian (Stella's fear of her may be the only overworked clement in the story). Treasure hunts are always fun, and this one is made all the more so by the hints that are dropped about the book's identity. Everyone who reads it likes it, for humorously self-serving reasons, e.g., the diner owner likes the bit about porridge, the fix-it woman likes the part about the broken chair, the new mother likes the notion of a nap. As usual, Ernst's big, comic illustrations stage the action beautifully, advancing the text and supplying plenty of funny details to pore over.
Publishers Weekly August 17, 1998
From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst (Bubba and Trixie) gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars. Cereal spills from an overturned box, macaroni tumbles out of the cupboard and a marmalade-hued cat takes refuge in the arms of Stella Louella's father as the girl feverishly tears apart the kitchen in search of her missing library book--due by five o'clock that day. She consults her brother, Sam, who left it by the mailbox, which leads her to their letter carrier, who picked it up with the mail and left it at the house on the corner. He then joins the growing search party, which continues to increase as each person Stella queries directs her to someone else. The parade eventually winds its way to the library with just five minutes to go, where the kind librarian announces she had already found the book--on a bench outside the building. Aside from the bustling cartoon artwork, what distinguishes this rather predictable tale is the spectrum of voices Ernst works into her narrative. Each character chimes in a reaction to the book based on his or her occupation or interest and simultaneously offers clues to its identity. The back cover and front flap carry a clever rubber stamp-like message: "Whatever you do, don't lose this book!" Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly September 3, 2001
Stella Louella is on a mission to find her missing library book, and gathers all of its various readers in her search (her brother who left it by the mailbox, to the mailman who left it with a neighbor, etc.). "From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars," wrote PW. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal September 1998
K-Gr 2-"On Saturday morning, Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act." So begins this rollicking tale of visual clues and reader anticipation as a cavalcade of characters retrace their steps throughout town in order to locate the child's book. Clues to the name of the missing title are cleverly concealed in the dialogue and pictures, making this a great story for reading out loud. The search party eventually winds up at what appears to be a dead end-a bench at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. However, this happens to be right in front of the library, so Stella and crew walk inside to break the news to the librarian, whom, they discover, has the book. The day is saved. From the front cover of a library card and date-due slips to the fly papers of packed bookshelves to the borders of due-date labels framing each page, this book exudes the familiarities of readers and libraries. Ernst's homey illustrations, rendered in soft pastels and pencils, are in perfect unison with the lively tone of the story. Children will enjoy studying each page for clues and hidden jokes. Order two copies-one for reading out loud (try pairing it with Suzanne Williams's Library Lil [Bantam, 1993] for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
Ages 4-7. Stella Louella has lost her library book, and the whole town joins in to find it. First, she goes to her brother, who read it--he liked the bears--and left it by the mailbox. The mailman mixed it up with the mail--he liked the part about going for a walk--and left it with another girl. The little girl with golden curls liked the girl in the book, but she passed it on to Officer Tim--he liked the part about the break-in. Soon a crowd of people are barreling into the library with Stella Louella. She must give the awful news of the missing book to the librarian, Mrs. Graham--who has found the book on the bench outside the library. Although Mrs. Graham is perfectly nice, the message that losing a book is a terrifying experience (and one that will personally disappoint librarians) may discourage the very kids librarians want as patrons. The best part of the book is Ernst's hurly-burly pictures that delightfully portray the ever-increasing crowd that follows Stella Louella on her search. Preschoolers will also like adding up the clues--both the visual and those in the text--that reveal the book as Goldilocks.
Horn Book Guide Spring 1999
Stella Louella, her family, and friends search the neighborhood for her missing library book. A cumulative tale, the story gains momentum as a letter carrier, police officer, athlete, and others join the hunt, sharing their own favorite parts of the lost book. Pen-and-ink and pastel illustrations accelerate the somewhat contrived and overlong story, but librarians will welcome this take on overdue books.
Kirkus Reviews 1998
This cumulative tale from Ernst (Duke the Dairy Delight Dog, 1996, etc.) features Stella, who is all in a dither because she has misplaced her library book. Her father starts the ball rolling when he asks, "Think. Where did you have it last?" The hammock, hoots Stella, but when she and her father get there they learn that Stella's brother has left the book on the front porch. The three of them rush to the porch only to find that the mailman gave the book to a girl down the street. The four of them, and all the rest who join them, go on a merry chase around town; Stella gets increasingly frantic, and the crowd grows arithmetically. The book is finally located and Stella's name is still good with Mrs. Graham, the librarian (Stella's fear of her may be the only overworked clement in the story). Treasure hunts are always fun, and this one is made all the more so by the hints that are dropped about the book's identity. Everyone who reads it likes it, for humorously self-serving reasons, e.g., the diner owner likes the bit about porridge, the fix-it woman likes the part about the broken chair, the new mother likes the notion of a nap. As usual, Ernst's big, comic illustrations stage the action beautifully, advancing the text and supplying plenty of funny details to pore over.
Publishers Weekly August 17, 1998
From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst (Bubba and Trixie) gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars. Cereal spills from an overturned box, macaroni tumbles out of the cupboard and a marmalade-hued cat takes refuge in the arms of Stella Louella's father as the girl feverishly tears apart the kitchen in search of her missing library book--due by five o'clock that day. She consults her brother, Sam, who left it by the mailbox, which leads her to their letter carrier, who picked it up with the mail and left it at the house on the corner. He then joins the growing search party, which continues to increase as each person Stella queries directs her to someone else. The parade eventually winds its way to the library with just five minutes to go, where the kind librarian announces she had already found the book--on a bench outside the building. Aside from the bustling cartoon artwork, what distinguishes this rather predictable tale is the spectrum of voices Ernst works into her narrative. Each character chimes in a reaction to the book based on his or her occupation or interest and simultaneously offers clues to its identity. The back cover and front flap carry a clever rubber stamp-like message: "Whatever you do, don't lose this book!" Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly September 3, 2001
Stella Louella is on a mission to find her missing library book, and gathers all of its various readers in her search (her brother who left it by the mailbox, to the mailman who left it with a neighbor, etc.). "From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars," wrote PW. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal September 1998
K-Gr 2-"On Saturday morning, Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act." So begins this rollicking tale of visual clues and reader anticipation as a cavalcade of characters retrace their steps throughout town in order to locate the child's book. Clues to the name of the missing title are cleverly concealed in the dialogue and pictures, making this a great story for reading out loud. The search party eventually winds up at what appears to be a dead end-a bench at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. However, this happens to be right in front of the library, so Stella and crew walk inside to break the news to the librarian, whom, they discover, has the book. The day is saved. From the front cover of a library card and date-due slips to the fly papers of packed bookshelves to the borders of due-date labels framing each page, this book exudes the familiarities of readers and libraries. Ernst's homey illustrations, rendered in soft pastels and pencils, are in perfect unison with the lively tone of the story. Children will enjoy studying each page for clues and hidden jokes. Order two copies-one for reading out loud (try pairing it with Suzanne Williams's Library Lil [Bantam, 1993] for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2017
Read this for my first lesson as an elementary school librarian. Got really sick of it after having to read it all week. Kids liked the parade of people, I did not like reading the names out loud. The title page was nice because it had Stella reading her book in different places and we talked about good places to read your book (ie not in the bathtub) I do agree with another reviewer that it would be nice if Mrs. Graham the librarian had reassured Stella that she wouldn't be banned from the library for losing a book. Also I have a hard time suspending disbelief that the book got lost so easy from person to person; it had to have been clearly marked and anyone who found it could've easily brought it back to the right library. Still.
I thought it was clever the way you could figure out Stella's book from the clues. Probably my favorite part of the story.
I thought it was clever the way you could figure out Stella's book from the clues. Probably my favorite part of the story.
September 27, 2022
Stella Louella has lost her library book and it absolutely, positively must be returned by 5pm! My favorite book to read to children as an introduction to the library. Stella's book gets passed around the town and as she chases it (with a growing crowd) each shares their favorite part of the story. A fun guessing game for the listeners who try to figure out the name of the book Stella had checked out from the library.
November 15, 2017
Students can learn the importance of taking care of their library books, which would be especially beneficial for the younger students. Stella Louella loses her book, gets stains in it, tries to fix them, and the book turns into a mess. Students can learn to not fall in Stella's footsteps, and they can stay aware of where they should keep their books and how they should handle them with care.
October 27, 2018
Though a tad repetitive, this detective story teaches the value of reading and being responsible for library books, sprinkling clever clues on every page to identify the missing item. The illustrations add momentum to the tale as the search party grows, and the page border of old library checkout cards is a nice nostalgic touch.
November 6, 2019
This book reminded me of The Gingerbread Man: every person that Stella Louella encounters while trying to find her lost book joins the search and the full list is named every time.
I also like the clues to the book that is lost. It starts out pretty subtle but they add together until you're positive you know the answer.
I also like the clues to the book that is lost. It starts out pretty subtle but they add together until you're positive you know the answer.
August 24, 2021
Super bueno, muy cortito especial para niños. Tiene un gran final muy adecuado para niños que están aprendiendo a leer. Un patrón muy repetitivo pero no agotador(almenas para mi y toda al gente que conozco se a leído este libro). Todas las personas que se leyeron este libro que conozco dicen que es buenísimo ¡Gracias por leer mi comentario!😜🤗☺😀😁😃😄😆😉😊😋
May 24, 2018
Cute story about a runaway book which attracts a parade of people searching for the missing book (in the style of the Gingerbread Man). Illustrations are ordinary. Still, this would be a fun story for a library read-aloud.
April 26, 2020
I used to read this aloud all the time in the library before teachers started to read it. It’s good for inferencing as well as predictions.
The illustrations are lushly detailed and the students love to try to find the dog and the cat in all the illustrations.
The illustrations are lushly detailed and the students love to try to find the dog and the cat in all the illustrations.
November 2, 2021
I'm so glad I didn't have to name all of the scout members because I just had to read this out loud 20 different times in the last week and I definitely got winded at the end. Lol. A great book to help teach kids library skills and how to take care of a library book.
July 12, 2017
great library read for elementary school
July 28, 2017
Great book for the beginning of the year. Book care.
August 23, 2017
good first of the year book to discuss book care and the importance of keeping track of your library books.
November 14, 2018
5yo says, “100 stars and two thumbs up!”
May 6, 2019
Super cute! I love how we see so many people in the community enjoyed the book! The choice of books in the last illustration is really cute, too.
September 26, 2019
My class loved guess what book Stella lost as well as how all the town helped her out.
November 26, 2019
This book is a fun story about a girl who loses her library book and is a great book that teaches kids to cherish reading as well as books.
October 24, 2020
Felt like it went on just a few too many rounds but many different uses for the classroom/librarians.
July 21, 2021
Oh, every student I know loves this cumulative tale.
March 5, 2022
grades 1-4
March 29, 2022
This book is really good and funny.
March 17, 2025
My grandsons enjoyed the overly dramatic silliness.
December 24, 2015
The clever cover caught my eye and immediately drew me into the book. Stella is an avid reader, reading wherever she finds herself, whether it's in the tub, at the table or in the hammock outside. When it comes time to return her current book to the library, it comes up missing. Stella is sure she'll be in big trouble with the librarian, perhaps, GASP, even losing her borrowing rights if she doesn't return it by 5 o'clock, so a frantic search ensues. Her father joins the search, suggesting Stella look in the last place she had the book. This takes them to the backyard where her brother admits he took the book out of the hammock yesterday..."I liked the bears."...and left it near the mailbox. At the mailbox, Stella, her father and her brother encounter the mailman, but no book. He too read the book, especially enjoying,"...when they go on a walk." He in turn, left the book at the house on the corner thinking it might belong to Tiffany Anne. And off they all go, from one person to the next on the trail of the elusive book, each person having read the book and passed it on. The book touches each one in an unique way, reflected in "the part I liked best" reviews they give. Does Stella find her book? Does she get it back to the library in time? Is she forever banned from checking books out of the library? Join the hunt!
The illustrations are fun and they, along with the delightful dialogue, give insight into the varied characters. Those of us who have even temporarily mislaid a library book can't help but share Stella's mounting anxiety as each stop fails to reveal the book. "I'll probably have to turn in my library card!" An added bit of fun is that the title of Stella's book is never mentioned. Can you guess what it is by the clues in the reviews?
The illustrations are fun and they, along with the delightful dialogue, give insight into the varied characters. Those of us who have even temporarily mislaid a library book can't help but share Stella's mounting anxiety as each stop fails to reveal the book. "I'll probably have to turn in my library card!" An added bit of fun is that the title of Stella's book is never mentioned. Can you guess what it is by the clues in the reviews?
February 16, 2017
This is a great read for a classroom library.
October 17, 2013
"Stella Louella's Runaway Book," by Lisa Campbell Ernst, tells the story of Stella Louella's search for her missing library book-- due back at the library at the end of the day. My child's school participates in ROBERTO (Read Or BE Read TO), a book/reading log program, and the theme for October is Mystery/Suspense. This is not a field that's SUPER well represented in pre-k appropriate books, but our local kid librarian suggested this one. With one small exception it leans more heavily on Suspense than Mystery (will she find her book? will she return it on time?) although my kid felt SUPER clever that he figured out what the missing book WAS by the clues people gave as to their favorite parts of the story.
While Stella Louella's concern and anxiety about her missing book are played a bit humorously, I would have appreciated it if the story addressed what happens if a child loses a book. Losing a library book isn't ideal, but it's not the end of the world, and Stella Louella's ramping anxiety and concerns that she'll be banned from the library forever set my kid a bit on edge.
While Stella Louella's concern and anxiety about her missing book are played a bit humorously, I would have appreciated it if the story addressed what happens if a child loses a book. Losing a library book isn't ideal, but it's not the end of the world, and Stella Louella's ramping anxiety and concerns that she'll be banned from the library forever set my kid a bit on edge.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews