The Boy Who Was Raised By Librarians

by Carla Morris, Brad Sneed (Illustrator)

Every day after school Melvin goes to the library. Everything has its place in the library and Melvin likes it that way. And his favorite people—Marge, Betty, and Leola—are always in their place, behind the reference desk. When a subject interests Melvin, his librarian friends help him find lots and lots of books on the subject. When he collects creepy bugs in a jar, they help him identify, classify and catalog the insects. When he is cast as an Enormous Eggplant in the school play Betty reads aloud from Organic Gardening Magazine to help him find his motivation. As the years pass, Melvin can always find the answers to his questions and a lot of fun in the library. Then one day he goes off to college to learn new things and read new books. Will he leave the library and his friends behind forever? Readers will enjoy Brad Sneed's delightful illustrations that colorfully capture the fun-loving spirit of Carla Morris's story about the contagious enthusiasm of learning.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Books About Books, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Storytime, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now while Carla Morris' The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians is indeed sweetly humorous to a point, it is also rather frustratingly and majorly predictable (and often overly if not even downright silly). For while the author does indeed paint an engaging and fun portrait of a curious boy who loves books and who practically lives at his local public library, as well as the librarians, who not only continuously inspire and re-inspire Melvin's curiosity, but also help the boy with research, rehearse for a play, and even attend his high school graduation, I do have to admit that for me personally, some if not actually even many of Melvin's antics and the amount of especially research guidance he is constantly being given by the librarians seem more than a bit unrealistic and far-fetched, unbelievable to and for me. For honestly, I do not think that I have ever met librarians who were that patient and that committed to their patrons as is depicted in The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians (and albeit that I do find it sweet that the librarians seem genuinely and emotionally interested in and comitted to Melvin, I still and actually consider their unending, unwavering helpfulness somewhat much exaggerated and overdone). And I also pretty well know for a fact that the librarians at my local branch (even those who work primarily with children) would not be all that pleased if they had to collect a bunch of creepy, crawly bugs from the carpet (Melvin spilling his jar of collected insects on the floor is perhaps amusing, I just do not consider that the reaction of the librarians to this mishap is even remotely realistic and normal). And as to Brad Sneed's illustrations, I have to admit that I did not and do not find them all that enjoyable (and actually quite visually grating at times). The bright colours, as well as the depictions of books, buildings and the like are perhaps appealing enough, but the human figures (and especially the facial expressions of said human figures) always seem overly exaggerated (to the point of being almost creepily distorted, somewhat akin to cartoon caricatures). Now my personal lack of enthusiasm for Bad Sneed's illustrations notwithstanding, I do think that they work well with Carla Morris' featured narrative, as the illustrations certainly manage to tenderly and evocatively mirror the fun, the sense of humour, the sense of discovery portrayed in and by the text (but while I do thus recommend The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians, judging from my own reaction and enjoyment of the latter, I can and will personally only consider a two star ranking).

[Reyhaneh.r · Rating 4 out of 5]

『هو النور』
کتاب‌ها پناه‌گاه امن و تسلی‌بخش من هستند‌.
این کتاب داستان دل‌انگیز "Melvin"، پسری است که هر سال و هر روز بعد از مدرسه به کتابخانه می‌رود و آرامش خود رو در آنجا می‌یابد.

این کتاب روابطی که ملوین با سه کتابدار مشتاق و متعهد آنجا ایجاد کرده رو به زیبایی نشان می‌ده. آن‌ها ملوین رو در طول سفرش راهنمایی و حمایت کردند و مشوق و محرک پسرک بودند.

گویا خود شخص نویسنده کتابداره و گرما و عشقی که در صفحات گنجانده شده، اشتیاق نویسنده رو به کتاب، کتابخانه و کتابداری نشان می‌ده.

اگر به جادوی کتاب‌ها، کتابخانه‌ها و ارتباطاتی که به واسطه آن‌ها شکل می‌گیره اعتقاد دارید، حتما نیم نگاهی به این کتاب تصویری کوچک بندازید.

پ.ن: فایل زبان اصلی کتاب را داخل کانال تلگرامم قرار دادم.
زمزمهٔ کلماتِ مکتوب
-پنج‌شنبه ۲۵ بهمن ۱۴۰۳

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. (I wasn't really a fan of the illustration style, although they were well-done and apt.) Wonderful story about the power of friendship (especially from adult mentors) the joys that result in a quest for knowledge, and the wonders that can be found in the library!

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you go wrong when the second page goes like this?

"He wanted to know a little...no...alot about everything. He was curious. And the library is a wonderful place to be if a person is curious.

"Everything had its place in the library and Melvin liked it that way. His favorite books were always in their places, lined up on the shelves like soldiers. And his favorite people were always in their places, behind the reference desk."

Is that not a description of heaven? I got happy all over reading that.

This is a sweet story about a boy that goes to the library every day after school, and the three librarians that help him answer his every question and learn more about every interest.

The kids and I have talked about how fun it would be to sleep over at the library, so I was a bit jealous that his library had a "Spend the Night at the Library" party. "Melvin curled up in his sleeping bag near the encyclopedias. Surrounded by thousands of books, he felt rich and happy."

I'm sure all my reading friends here can sympathize, even a little bit. :)

[Nicole Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Aunt wrote this book!!! Way to go Aunt Carla!!

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I thought the "librarians are amazing" message was a bit blatant, we seem to need the reminder these days. I was raised by librarians myself!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melvin spent so much time at the library as a young boy, that you might say it was his second home, and he interacted with the three librarians - Marge, Betty, and Leeola - so often, that they became surrogate mothers to him. Always ready to help him with his projects, from identifying various insect species to practicing for his role in a school play, the three indefatigable lovers of learning imparted many important lessons to their young patron, inspiring in him a love of books, and of knowledge, and leading him to his eventual choice of profession...

One of our March selections, over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is the "Library," The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians is a glowing paean to that noble profession - something that is not all that surprising, given that Carla Morris is a librarian herself. Although I wouldn't classify it as a new favorite, I did enjoy Melvin's story, despite (perhaps partly because?) I saw the conclusion coming from the beginning. The artwork, done by Brad Sneed - whose illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina favorably impressed me - didn't really move me here, but I can see young children finding it engaging. All in all, I found this a pleasant, though by no means outstanding picture-book. I recommend it, although perhaps not as strongly as some other library-centric titles, like Library Lion and Tell Me Some More...

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen this in the children's room of the library for months, if not years (time moves differently in a library). I finally decided to read it today, while I was sitting at the desk in the empty children's section..

I've got chills. I may have sniffled. I almost cried! This book, this simple, short, little picture book gave me all the feels. I was this kid. I was raised by librarians. They helped me when I was confused in school. They helped me when I couldn't find just the right book to read. And after college.. I came right back to this library, this time as an employee. And here I am now, a librarian myself. Now I get to help kids find just the right book to read. I get to encourage adults to continue their education, whether it means pick up a new book or try out a new class.

100% awesome. Or maybe I'm just weird sentimental.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

A whole book full of stereotypes and pigeonholes. A silly fantasyland that is so saccharine it hurts.

There is a little cottage industry based on writing children's books with pandering librarian-appeal and selling them to librarians. How I wish it would stop.

Hated the illustrations. Hated them!

And where were this kid's parents, anyway? Just absolutely never mentioned. More of the nonsense that family is of no value and the state (village) will raise your child.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

01 January 2008

Having a warm fuzzy place in my heart for librarians, I thought the book was charming. Yeah, and I daydream about being locked in the library overnight.

***

14 February 2023

It seems like only yesterday...

Library copy, natch

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love stories about libraries and this was such a sweet story. I love the different ways that the librarians could help the young boy learn and satisfy his curiosity. And I certainly loved the ending. The illustrations remind me strongly of C.F. Payne's style and complemented the story nicely, if a bit abstractly. I liked to see how the librarians aged throughout the book, still as happy and helpful as ever. We really enjoyed reading this story together.

This story was selected as one of the books for the March 2012 - Library reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Crystal Marcos · Rating 4 out of 5]

My little one really liked this book and so did I. It is a bit lengthy for younger children but she could relate having spent time at the library. It is a heart-warming story about a little boy who grows up getting to know his librarians through spending many days after school at the library. Though the story is somewhat predictable it is still a treat to watch all the characters grow older together. I liked how interested the librarians were in him and vice versa. The illustrations were very expressive. It was also fun to find out the author is a librarian.

This was another great selection from the Children's Picture Book Club found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, you knew where this book was leading to right from the start. What kind of career is a nerdy kid who likes to learn and practically lives in the library going to choose? I wish the librarians in my library when I was growing up had been as much fun as these three were! I would have LOVED a sleepover at the library. Melvin was sure a lucky kid. I enjoyed the illustrations--I noticed that Betty was wearing an "I love cats" button in most of the pictures. I do think, however, that the librarians aged way too fast, especially in the first picture where Melvin is graduating from high school. Aside from that, great story, even if predicatable.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! I read it before signing it to my niece and putting it in the box going to Joplin for Christmas. Oh my, it really is a lovely story, but particularly for this librarian and daughter of a librarian. Nice that my niece will get a little idea what her grandfather did for a living.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melvin and the 3 delightful librarians will warm your hearts and inspire both readers and librarians alike in this message.
Melvin practically lives in the library, learning everything about insects, eggplants, performing, spelling, science and unique things that librarians somehow "magically" know how to find.

The illustrations are caricature-style humans to say the least, but the writing/vocabulary is simple and fast.
There is some good humor and some great heart to this library story.

Great for a storytime read aloud, perfect for any public or academic library!

[Erika Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Book Summary in your own words
Every day Melvin visits the Public Library after school. Melvin loves how everything has its place. His favorite people are the librarians behind the reference desk—Marge, Betty, and Leola. When something catches his attention, he gets help from his friends to find the information. As the years pass, Melvin gets older but still visits the library for everything. One day he leaves for college to learn new things and read new books. Will he return to his friends? Or will he leave them behind forever?
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile
Grades K-3
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area)
Discovery, Curiosity, Helping Others
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading
Students who have a curiosity about something new and want to know where they can go and who they can ask for help.
5. Small group use (literature circles)
In small groups, students will pick their favorite book and talk about why they like it and what it is about.
6. Whole class use (read aloud)
As a whole class, we will visit the library and talk about the characteristics of the books. Authors, illustrators, how to find the book in the library, who they can ask if they cannot find a book.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area
Genre: Comedy
8. Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available
This gives insight into a book creator and is not directly tied to a specific book.
https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronoun...

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I deeply appreciate any children's book that praises books, reading, libraries, and/or librarians, this one is a bit over the top. Melvin seems to excel at everything and, with the tireless help of three reference librarians, he wins every contest he enters. I also wonder why a child is interacting with the reference librarians. Where is the children's librarian? And since the three librarians never help any other patrons, it feels like they dispense favoritism to Melvin over everyone else.

The illustrations are too cartoonish, considering this is not a humorous story. But I love the heartwarming twist at the end.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melvin's second home is the Livingston Library! He is embraced by three fun-loving, intelligent and spunky librarians who help him with research projects, guide him, welcome him and encourage his love of knowledge.

Illustrated by Brad Sneed, the images are crisp, clear with lovely facial images.

If you, like me, were raised by a librarian, or a series of librarians, you will appreciate this lovely book.

Personally, Miss Alice Blake, former Bangor, PA librarian is one of the people who had a profound impact on my life. A skinny, shy, introverted child entered the stone structure and was forever changed by a caring, loving woman who saw a spark of intelligence and gave confidence and encouragement which has forever helped to shape the person I am today. Hats off to unsung heroes...the librarians!
http://bangorlibrary.org/about

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The illustrations and conversations are so heart-warming and touching. Melvin loved the library so much, he felt like he lived there...all facts, figures and information were at his fingertips, and he grew to love the three librarians, Leeola, Betty, and Marge, who all looked forward to his visit every day after school. Throughout his school years, up until he left for college, the library was his special place. He missed it terribly when he was away, as the librarians missed him. But, in the years to come, Leeola, Betty and Marge grew to love a new special person who loved the library, who had a very special connection to the library.
Used for Library Fun Storytime.

[Mom (Tash) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great picture book! Your children will love it, and you will too! I KNOW you all take your children to the library, (you are such great parents) and this is yet another book to reinforce what a wonderful place that is, and what endearing people librarians can be. Definately a "Storytime With Grandma Tash Gold Star Winner"!!
(In case you may be wondering if I promote every children's book about libraries, not true...do not check out "The Library Dragon". It is a total disappointment.)

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, the title is misleading. I had anticipated a story about a boy actually living in the library and being raised by librarians and was disappointed by the first line in the book. The boy is actually a bookworm who spends all his time in the library and forms a family-like bond with the three librarians at his local library.

Second of all, despite my disappointment, the story was actually pretty good and inspiring. The illustrations are incredible and could stand alone as a wordless book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, what a sweet children's book! It's about a boy named Melvin who spends a lot of time in his public library and the friendship he develops with the librarians. The story is written by a children's librarian, and it does a good job of highlighting all the different services that libraries offer today. I would recommend the book to any parents who want to get their children excited about the library.

[Rachel Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians" is about a little boy who loves learning and reading so much. One day he went to the library after school everyday and basically was raised by the librarians. The librarians were always loving and excited and encouraging to him.
I love this book, because it can make children excited about the library and make them want to read. I would have this book in my classroom, and I think it would be a great book to read to your children.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book I read to K-2 grade students the week of September 15, 2008. We had 175 votes for really liked it, 18 votes for just okay, and 26 votes for didn't like it. I'm in the just okay category, so I would have only given it 2 stars on my own. I liked the illustrations, and the story, but it just wasn't one of my favorites.

[Colleen Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melvin is a curious boy who loves the library, and as the author, Carla Morris, observes, "the library is a wonderful place to be if a person is curious." The librarians and Melvin share a loving relationship as they provide a welcoming, nurturing, learning environment for Melvin at the library, inspiring him and helping him learn about the world around him.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teared up by the end of this sweet picture book. It is such a touching story about a boy who loves and uses the library throughout his life. The illustrations are vibrant and fun. Really, this is the story every children's librarian wants to turn into reality...

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book, great for elementary level. The story of a young boy who loved the library. He didn't really live there but spent much of his time there. The librarians knew him and helped him with questions from grade school until he graduated from college. Very good.

[April Thompson Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story portrays my love for books and libraries. My mom worked at the local library when I was eight, and I remember loving everything about it day after day. The feeling hasn't worn off and I hope to one day retire and work at a library!

[Michelle (driftingsong) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5

Even though I've never met librarians quite like this / quite as helpful as this the story was cute cute CUTE. <3 I love the librarians helping the main character to grow and helping him in his evolving interests.

[Salena · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best children's books dealing with libraries and librarians. This is one of my favorites.