The Librarian's Stories

by Lucy Falcone, Anna Wilson (Illustrator)

A village is left in ruins after the bombs fall. The beloved library is burned to ash. Food is scarce. Danger is abundant. Every aspect of daily life is changed. How will home ever feel as it once did?

But then one day, the Librarian emerges in the town square. Seated on a bench in front of the library's remains, she opens a book and begins to read aloud. The village children stop to listen. "Foolish woman," Papa says. "Too dangerous," Mama agrees, hurrying the children away. But day after day the librarian returns to her post, her voice carrying stories above the thunder of tanks and to the broken hearts of the people. Little by little, the persistent Librarian's stories seed hope in the people, and their village begins to mend.

Inspired by the bombing of the National Library of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, and bombing of the library at the University of Mosul in Iraq, The Librarian's Stories is a testament to the enduring connection between stories and hope.

Genres: Picture Books, War, Childrens, Books About Books, Historical Fiction, Juvenile, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2020

About the author

Lucy Falcone (aka L.M. Falcone) is a former children's television writer for such series as The Littlest Hobo and Nickelodeon's hugely popular, Are You Afraid of the Dark? She turned her hand to writing a number of award-winning novels and a junior-fiction detective series. Her debut picture book, I Didn't Stand Up, won the 2019 Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Children's Literature Award.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first desire to read this book was purely the title.

But…

I found myself completely taken in when I began to read it.

Most importantly, were the author’s notes at the end, and how she came to write it. The beauty of stories are how they impact any of us. I’d like to believe that we read because we love to be transported to places. To meet characters in time. To feel feelings. To be captured by the stories being told to us.

And…

In this beautifully illustrated book, we find the role of the librarian immensely influential by her mere presence during a very dark time for this town.

She sits on a bench and she reads out loud. So that the town can hear the stories she is reading.

War surrounds them.

But…

She is brave.

And…

The town listens.

But…

The book also gives a sense of what it is like to live in a town besieged by war…

As well as recovery from it. (A feeling of hope and renewal.)

The author shares that her inspiration for writing this story came after reading “The Cellist of Sarajevo” a book based on the true story of a musician who played his cello for 22 days to mark the deaths of 22 innocent people killed during the Bosnian War.

Her other reason for writing…

The burning of libraries. The banning of books. The senseless violence of war.

This story is lovely.

And…

Inspirational…

And considering the darkness that surrounds us with the many wars being waged – whether they are with weapons of destruction or in our own libraries and schools (via the banning of books), we cannot underestimate the value of our libraries or librarians to our communities.

Interest level: age 4-8 years

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the bombing of a town, a fearless or debatably, foolish librarian, decides to tell stories to uplift the spirits of the townspeople. One child hopes and believes that things will change.

Stellar illustrations and historic honor for similar true-story situations are showcased beautifully here in this book. This was an ideal book for 2021 as it couldn't have been more accurate or true.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by the Cellist of Sarajevo, this is a sweet story of finding light during dark times. A librarian decides to hold daily story times to bring moments of distraction and escape to residents of a war-torn town.

[Launna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the librarian read. Despite everything going on, she read. I love books. :-)

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a librarian whose words bring comfort to the children of a town that was struck by war. Very moving text and illustrations!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple, moving

[Amy Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving and illuminating book. I am not sure which ages I would share it with, and how. Based on the concept of The Cellist of Sarajevo, this story takes place in an unnamed, war-torn city, where people line up for hours for water or bread. The library lady comes out and sits on a bench to read stories to the children hiding in doorways and behind curtains in windows.
Perhaps best to read in one-on-one settings, with children who feel secure with you.

[Ashley Ewert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too complex for the intended reader. More was explained in the authors note and blurb than throughout the book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Falcone tells a fictional story of a librarian who, even in the scary days of war and occupation, continues to read stories in what looks like a courtyard with apartment buildings surrounding. Words fly through the air on the pages illustrated by Anna Wilson. She also adds special scenes from the apartment windows as people listen to the librarian's words. One tiny mouse appears, too. A young boy tells the story, of the scary time when one has little food and must stand in line at one pipe for water. He celebrates his birthday, talks about being scared, then happy when that frightening time ends. One quote from the author's note: "Many rulers in the past, and the present, feel threatened by stories and ideas and knowledge. They know that books can change people. They know that books can change the world." and "They don't want people to learn, to understand, to think for themselves." There is more but I think many of you understand the intent. It's a beautiful book and message.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding books like this one. The ones that are trying to make a point - though perhaps not necessarily the one that the author intended.

Given that censorship and cancel culture has become the in-vogue thing now, while free speech and free expression is beaten down as bigoted and intolerant - it behooves readers and writers to take a step back and wonder what kind of literary world we are creating right now. One where authors are driven to fear the stories they create because the mobs might find something minor to drum up controversy? One where publishers promote only the books of certain hashtag movements that ultimately destroy lives? Ones where a conniving minority silences a large majority simply over politics or religion or some other belief?

To the people who continue to speak - the ones who are mocked daily by the news media and celebrities and on social media, and treated as dangerous extremists for the crime of simply living ordinary lives - this book is one that will give you hope. Whether or not that's what was the intention.

That is true resistance.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful message of hope in the midst of war's destruction. The story begins wordless as readers see a young boy celebrate at a birthday party. This scene segues into one of war. Readers see tanks destroy the town library on the same page spread. The text begins on the next pages. The story is told in first person from the child's perspective. Life is incredibly difficult in this village and we see this through the text and artwork. One person continues to defy their enemy as she sits on a bench in the middle of the village and reads out loud. The librarian boldly encourages hope in others by stepping up to continue to share stories with the town families.
Falcone offers a message of hope for all in difficult situations. Even in dark times, we can escape through stories and share the gift of hope.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very touching. A little boy lives in a town that is filled with scared people-like him. There's no lights or water and not much food. There is a war going on. Everything looks dark and stormy but the air is filled with letters. The buildings are crumbling but a librarian sits on a bench and reads aloud. Her words make the child remember the better times like his birthday. Tanks move through the square, and soldiers march through the town. The librarian keeps reading aloud. She quotes MLK Jr. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that". Finally the child says the town I live in is filled with hope. And the people in the town start to rebuild.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impulse Pima.

Lovely. Not too terribly scary, and has a happy ending, but do preview it if you child is young and sensitive. Not in re' a specific war or military state, but inspired, according to the author's note, by (either) The Cellist of Sarajevo or The Cellist of Sarajevo: Level 3.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and interesting story. The theme is the destruction of libraries and a librarian who continues to read books in the local square. The author based the book on the Cellist of Sarajevo story about a cellist who plays on the town square for 22 days after 22 people died in a bombing of a bakery. Interesting story and illustrations but the story doesn’t quite come together. Not intended to be concrete but it’s confusing enough I had to check the author’s notes to understand even a little bit.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It won't surprise anyone that I love stories about librarians. This story, inspired by a true story during the Bosnian War, is heartbreaking and heartwarming. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine happening right now, I couldn't help but think about the thousands (possibly millions) of Ukrainian children who are facing the terrifying reality of war and its disruptions to everyday life. This is an important story and one that I will be using to create a lesson plan for next school year.

Story: 5
Illustrations: 4
Read-aloud: 4

[Shannon Green-Kingery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falcone wrote this potent little children's book after reading Steven Galloway's novel "The Cellist of Sarajevo". She shows us that it is up to everyday people just like us to stand up for what is right and to speak out against tyranny in its many forms. In this story, the town librarian bravely sits in front of her bombed-out library reading books to whoever will listen. Hers is a voice of reason in a wildly chaotic world. Falcone reminds us that bravery is often found in the simplest of acts. Our self-centered world needs to be reminded of this right now. Very timely...

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the story of war and how words and stories can bring hope and light. I really liked the theme of the story as well as the backmatter. Although it is close to true, it is still a fictional story. I this is one of it's strengths because this could be any war, in any place, making it something readers everywhere can identify with.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so heartwarming an inspiring. A city's librarian continues to read aloud from a bench in the square during a time of political upheaval and uncertainty. The details of lining up to get water were so tangible and immersive (and anxiety-inducing!). Definitely a book that makes you feel hopeful!

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love picture books about resisting in your own ways.

Library burnings and the fear of books is something that has been attacked time and time again, past, present, and most likely future. I love this story of a librarian reading in the square so the people huddled in their homes from the soldiers and war can hear stories.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a village set in the midst of war, people are full of fear and hunger. So they see the young librarian sitting on a bench every day reading stories as foolish and dangerous. It doesn’t take long, however, for the librarian’s daily presence in the village square to become a source of joy and hope.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a fictional place and time, this book explores the universal horror and hardships of war but celebrates the power of books and words and knowledge to help people heal and move forward. I love the story of the librarian courageously reading every day in the town square and the story the illustrations tell.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very topical picture book (e.g. Ukraine conflict) as a small village is destroyed and occupied and everything feels dangerous. But the librarian sits in the town square every day and reads aloud, slowly bringing hope back first to the children and then the families. Powerful in many ways, and another example of a complete book with the text backed by illustrations and design elements.

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by the Cellist of Sarajevo, but feels very topical to the current invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Life has changed for the children of a small war-torn town, but the daily stories read by the librarian in the square help them remember what life was like before the conflict and bring them hope for the future.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a war-torn village left in ruin, the library is burned to ash, food is scarce, and danger is abundant.
One day, the Librarian begins a daily ritual, sitting eated on a bench in front of the library's remains reading aloud. The persistent Librarian's stories seed hope in the people, and their village slowly begins to mend. An earnest tale about the healing power of story.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book touched me deeply. Inspired by the Cellist of Sarajevo, it's about a librarian who continues to read in public in a town under occupation, giving respite to the inhabitants for their lack of food, water, and civil life. With all that's happening in the world right now, this is a perfect book to share with kids who are rightly terrified of the world outside their door.

[Laura (Librarian) Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A town is left in ruins after a bomb falls upon it, but the librarian sits in the square every day to read stories to the towns residents. A gentle, but powerful look into how destructive war can be, but with light and truth can help people rebuild and heal.

Reiterates the importance of the freedom to read any and all books.

[L.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a great idea, but the summary on the book cover is the sum and substance of the book. The story didn’t even let us know where it was happening or exactly why, so we spent most of it asking and answering a million unanswerable questions. It led to some research and a good discussion based on the author’s inspiration for the book. But I wouldn’t pick this one up again on purpose.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a upper elementary/middle school teacher talking about current events could benefit reading this historical fiction picture book. Beautiful and inspired by The Cellist of Sarajevo. Beautiful. It would definitely open up kids eyes to other parts of the world.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful tale of how war brings fear to a neighborhood and how one person can bring comfort through destruction. The final page includes examples of how war and violence have destroyed libraries in history and why people would want to prevent access to literature to gain power.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the true story of "The Cellist of Sarajevo," this picture book tells the story of a librarian who reads stories outside the bombed library in her war torn city bringing comfort, hope and healing to her community. A beautiful tribute to the power of stories even in the worst of times.