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Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

Gloria Houston,

Susan Condie Lamb (Illustrator)

4.16 · Rating details · 655 ratings · 133 reviews

When Dorothy was a young girl, she loved books, and she loved people, so she decided that she would become a librarian.

Dorothy's dearest wish is to be a librarian in a fine brick library just like the one she visited when she was small, but her new home in North Carolina has valleys and streams but no libraries. So Miss Dorothy and her neighbors decide to start a

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Hardcover, 32 pages

Published January 25th 2011 by HarperCollins

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Average rating 4.16 ·

Rating details

· 655 ratings · 133 reviews

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Jun 29, 2017 Sheri rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens-picture-books, 2017, libraries

Miss Dorothy and her bookmobile bring communities together through the love of reading. Her efforts touched the lives of many and she is remembered with fondness.

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Nov 25, 2019 Calista rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-nonfiction, genre-memoir-biography, histiorical, favorite, bage-children, want-to-own, genre-travel, 2011, groundbreaking, sub-library

This is a story about the past. With TV the way it is today, I don’t see as many people excited over books. It looks like this was back in the 50s or so. Miss Dorothy is from Mass. and she wanted to be a librarian in a nice brick building when she grew up. Her husband moved her to the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC and they didn’t have any building for a library (why is she a miss instead of Mrs then is what I want to know?). So, she collected money for a Bookmobile and she drove all over God’s ...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Manybooks rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: children interested in libraries and librarians

Shelves: historical-fiction, books-on-books, picture-books, women-and-girls, childrens-history-nonfiction, childrens-literature, book-reviews, libraries

When Miss Dorothy graduates from Radcliffe College, she intends to become a librarian in charge of a "fine brick building just like the one ... in her home town in Massachusetts." But when Miss Dorothy marries, she and her husband move to a farm "at the base of high Mount Mitchell in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina" where there are no larger towns and cities and thus, no fine brick libraries. However, Miss Dorothy and the townspeople soon organise a "bookmobile" (a moving library), When Miss Dorothy graduates from Radcliffe College, she intends to become a librarian in charge of a "fine brick building just like the one ... in her home town in Massachusetts." But when Miss Dorothy marries, she and her husband move to a farm "at the base of high Mount Mitchell in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina" where there are no larger towns and cities and thus, no fine brick libraries. However, Miss Dorothy and the townspeople soon organise a "bookmobile" (a moving library), and Miss Dorothy does, indeed, become a librarian, a different type of librarian than she had envisioned, but a bona fide and true librarian nonetheless.

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile (written by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb) is based on the true story of Dorothy Thomas, who operated a green bookmobile in the rural area where author Gloria Houston lived as a child, there being no actual, physical library building (for more information, see the informative author's note, which is as much of a paean, a dedication to Miss Dorothy and her bookmobile as the narrative, the story itself). With a flowing, evocative text (and equally lush and descriptive accompanying illustrations, that capture not only the feel of the time, but the feel of the countryside, as well as the moods, the personalities of the people, the characters) Miss Dorothy and her Bookmobile is not only a glowing general tribute to librarians, it is specifically and especially a tribute to those librarians who did not work and often still do not work in traditional library buildings, but who brought and often still bring the joy of reading, the joy of books to people, to their patrons, using bookmobiles, horses, boats etc., often spending not only many hours, but also many uncomfortable, possibly even dangerous hours out and about to make books, reading, and literacy possible in under and undeveloped areas.

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile also has a wonderful message of community (it takes the whole community to furnish, to provide Miss Dorothy with a bookmobile, and I just love the fact that as soon as the small community where Miss Dorothy and her husband have settled, decides on getting a bookmobile, everyone, and I mean everyone, helps to make said bookmobile a possibility, donating money, time, and of course, books). But even more importantly (at least for me), this story shows that although a person's dreams might have to change, they can still be made a reality, they can still be pursued. Dorothy had wanted to become a librarian, and in the end, she does become a librarian (a different type of librarian than she had originally envisioned for herself, but still a librarian). Her dreams, her aspirations have had to change somewhat, but basically they do remain the same (as the change is, in effect, only cosmetic, and the heart of her dreams, becoming a librarian, has remained the same).

Like my friends Abigail and Cheryl, I do wonder a tiny bit at the fact that the North Carolina community where Miss Dorothy settles seems surprisingly integrated for the 1930s (personally, I appreciate the fact that the illustrations, especially, show an integrated community, but I do have to wonder how historically accurate this is). That is not to say, that I do not consider an integrated community in 1930s North Carolina a complete and utter impossibility, but I do have to admit that I have some doubts (especially considering the recent history of the Southern States). But other than that minor little caveat, I very much enjoyed Miss Dorothy and her Bookmobile and highly recommend it to and for children interested in books, libraries and librarians. ...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Kathryn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biographies, childrens-picture-books

4.5 STARS
Here is the inspiring true story of "Miss Dorothy" who always dreamed of being a librarian in a fine brick library like the one in the center of her home town in Massachusetts. But when loved beckoned and her husband wanted to move to the mountains of North Carolina, there were no red brick libraries to be found. There were no libraries to be found! But, Miss Dorothy found plenty of people who loved to read. Soon, they raised money to buy a Bookmobile and Miss Dorothy became the ...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Lisa Vegan rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: everybody who loves and appreciates books and libraries

Recommended to Lisa by: Kathryn

Shelves: biography, non-fiction, z2011, childrens, picture-books, readbooks-female-author-or-illust, reviewed, books-about-books, zz-5star

This story touched my heart, and it’s made all the more inspiring because it’s about a real woman and the bookmobile and then the small house library building where she was a librarian, running the only lending library in her adopted North Carolina remote Appalachian area. This book is a wonderful memorial to a special and dedicated woman.

The author was one of the fortunate book borrowers when she was young, and others that are her contemporaries are given places in this (basically) true story. ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Abigail rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Young Bibliophiles & Library Lovers

Shelves: libraries, childrens-biography, picture-books, appalachia, childrens-non-fiction, north-carolina

Author Gloria Houston and illustrator Susan Condie Lamb, who collaborated on the marvelous My Great-Aunt Arizona , join forces once again in Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile, which follows the story of a young woman who longs to become a librarian, and work in a stately red brick building, just like the one in her hometown in Massachusetts. But when Miss Dorothy, all grown up and graduated from college, falls in love and gets married, her life takes her to rural North Carolina, to a town where Author Gloria Houston and illustrator Susan Condie Lamb, who collaborated on the marvelous My Great-Aunt Arizona , join forces once again in Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile, which follows the story of a young woman who longs to become a librarian, and work in a stately red brick building, just like the one in her hometown in Massachusetts. But when Miss Dorothy, all grown up and graduated from college, falls in love and gets married, her life takes her to rural North Carolina, to a town where there is no library. The eventual solution - a bookmobile that she can use to bring books to the people - isn't what she envisioned as a girl, but is just what her new neighbors need...

Like the earlier book about Aunt Arizona, Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile is based on the life story of someone the author knew as a girl - the real Miss Dorothy used to bring her bookmobile to the store operated by Houston's family, stopping by every two weeks with her treasure - and offers a tribute to a very important profession: the librarian. I liked the story itself, with its message of adapting to the circumstances in which one finds oneself, and I liked that it was a real person (something made plain in the author's brief afterword) being depicted. I also greatly enjoyed the artwork, which I thought was just lovely, although the social critic in me couldn't help but wonder, looking at the happily integrated community, whether this was an accurate portrait of how the townspeople looked, in 1930s (I think it was 1930s?) Appalachia.

Still, leaving that issue of historical realism aside - and really, I'm not sure just how I feel about it: whether I think it is better to be inclusive (a good thing, generally) and draw more children into the story, or whether I feel that, by obscuring the realities of segregation in the past, we are doing children a disservice - this is a wonderful book. Recommended to young bibliophiles and library lovers, and to anyone looking for children's stories set in Appalachia. ...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Randie D. Camp, M.S. rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books, biography-memoir, libraries

*Updated review.

Houston, G. (2010). Miss Dorothy and her book mobile. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Genre: Memoir/Biography, Children’s Picture Storybook

Loving books and people, a young Dorothy knew right away that she wanted to be a librarian in a fine brick library--just like the one in her hometown. She went to college and library school but married and moved out to the beautiful country before she could be a librarian in a fine brick library. Despite this, Dorothy never stopped loving books ...more

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Oct 30, 2011 Dolly rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: parents reading with their children

Shelves: nonfiction, picture-book-club, other-usa, 2011, library, childrens, new-england, biography-autobiography-memoir

This is a wonderful story, made even more special for me by the coincidences to my own life. I am also a Dorothy who loves books and grew up in Massachusetts, often visiting a fine brick library near the center of the town square in my hometown. I also want to become a librarian when I grow up, but as I'm only in my early 40s, I have a ways to go. :) That's where our story diverges, but still, I felt a kinship to this terrific woman and I love that the story is a true one. The story even ...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Kerry Cerra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pb

Gloria Houston seriously rocks. And so do her books. In fact, all her books are historical and you should check them out. But let’s talk about her newest that’s based on the real-life librarian from her childhood, Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile. Dorothy’s greatest wish is to be a librarian in a fine brick library in the center of town. But, after graduating with her librarian degree, Dorothy falls in love and moves to a small rural community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And, sadly, there’s no ...more

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Nov 11, 2011 Candice rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Sophie - when she is older

A loving tribute to a terrific librarian, this is a story of Dorothy Thomas who drove a bookmobile through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This is not for the very young, as there is a lot of text. It shows how one person can make a difference, and also how the life we had planned isn't always the life we live. As a young girl, Dorothy loved books. She decided that when she grew up she would be in charge of a fine brick library just like the one where she checked out books in ...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-childrens-books, read-reading-libraries

I just had to like this one. After all, the heroine is a librarian who brings books to rural folks in North Carolina who otherwise would have nothing to read. The story starts in what looks like the '50s, when Miss Dorothy creates a bookmobile so she can take books to her neighbors. Over the years she dreams of a red brick library of her very own, but life gives her something on a lesser scale. The story talks about various people who were positively influenced by Miss Dorothy and her books, and ...more

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Feb 04, 2011 Melissa rated it liked it

Shelves: picturebooks, making-a-difference

Although as a librarian I was a little ticked with Miss Dorothy for spending so much time pining for a "real library," it's nice to have a story that shows that it sometimes takes time to really bloom where you're planted and to appreciate what you have.

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Jan 31, 2017 Danette rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books

Perfect for book lovers.

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May 27, 2018 Kris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-books

Charming story of a woman who brought books to those who didn’t have easy access, and the legacy it left in her town and the lives she served.

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Feb 12, 2011 Elisabeth rated it liked it

I thought this was an interesting story - but it might be something only people who work in a library might appreciate - it sat on our new book shelf for quite awhile...

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Oct 07, 2013 Kim rated it it was amazing

A fun children's book about a librarian with a dream. In it's own way, the dream came to be, but no where near as she's expected. A true story!

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Jun 22, 2017 Kathryn rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s-books

A delightful story about a woman who always wanted to be a librarian in a brick building and how that dream turned out.

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Mar 23, 2012 Crystal Marcos rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: booklovers, librarians

I read this book to my toddler and we both enjoyed it. She asked me a few questions about the bookmobile and why the bookmobile was stuck in the mud. I think that children of all ages would enjoy this book especially if they go to the library or if they have a love of books.

This is a story based on the author's life experience with a influential librarian. The librarian influenced the author's life and some of the author's friends. The real librarian must have been a truly amazing woman to have ...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Margo Tanenbaum rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biography, picture-books

Author Gloria Houston and illustrator Susan Condie Lamb, who last teamed up for the beloved award-winning picture book My Great Aunt Arizona, have created another heartwarming and inspiring story about the special people who love books and sharing them with others.

Miss Dorothy decided to be a librarian as a young girl, because she loved books and loved people, so what could be better? But when she fell in love and moved with her husband to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, there was ...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: libraries, books-about-books

Gloria Houston tells the true story of one of her personal heroes, Dorothy Thomas. Dorothy wanted to be a librarian in a big brick library, but instead her husband wanted to live in the country where there was no library. So Dorothy created a bookmobile that traveled from place to place and brought books to people who had no books.

Each paragraph is like a small poem. Each illustration is like a small poem. A beautiful little story of service.

“If her readers could not come
to the bookmobile,
Miss ...more

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May 17, 2011 Karen Arendt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-books, library

What a great story about libraries. This book shows that a library does not have to be four walls. THe library is the heart of the community. Dorothy earned her library degree and had planned to work in the brick library in her home town. But life had other plans for her and she moved to a rural mountainous region with her husband. She starts a bookmobile and then eventually a library. This book is a loving tribute to a woman who made a difference to the members of her community through her love ...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Jenny rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books, children-s-books

This is a sweet story of a woman, Dorothy, who had always dreamed of being a librarian in a nice library in the center of town. But instead, she moves with her husband to a rural area and drives a bookmobile so that everyone gets the chance to check out books. Great story with great illustrations, and I got tears in my eyes when I read the letters to Dorothy from some of those who she had loved and shared books with. Then to read the author's note and find that this was a true story just added ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Tatiana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kids-picture-books

From the title alone, I was partial to this book because when I was young, a bookmobile came to our rural cul-de-sac. As a voracious reader, it was a beacon every two weeks. So I can identify with the happy recipients in Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile. It was also wonderful to find out in the author’s note that there was a real Miss Dorothy, who brought so much joy to readers in her small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Even though a bookmobile wasn’t her ideal location to carry out her ...more

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Mar 29, 2016 Alexandria rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens-books, favorites, library-setting

I have a weak spot for books that extol the wonders of access to books... and this book most certainly fits the bill!

Dorothy is a young woman who loves books. She spends her life reading and bringing the joy of reading to people who hadn't had access to a library before through her bookmobile. Her compassion changes her life, their lives, and brings a sense of community and compassion into her corner of the world.

It's a sweet and inspiring story for anyone who loves books, or loves those who ...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Julie Esanu rated it liked it

Shelves: picture-book, libraries, books

A loving tribute to Miss Dorothy, who loved books and was trained as a librarian. She longed for a brick and mortar library. However, she leaves behind her preconceptions of providing traditional library services when she moves to the mountains of North Carolina. Through pure determination, she starts a bookmobile to share her love of books. She travels far and wide to deliver books, friendship, and a smile.

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Aug 09, 2010 Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, picture-book, book-a-day, arc

This book tells the story of Dorothy who leaves Boston after marrying her husband and moving to a small rural location without the library that she is so use to. With the support of her community, she begins a mobile library and sees how books transform the lives of the people around her. A wonderful biographical picture book.

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May 12, 2015 Mrs. Tongate rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-book-biographies-for-older

Touching read for all book lovers. Driving a bookmobile is my dream job! I would so love to be like Miss Dorothy Thomas and deliver great reads in a green bookmobile to folks in their community. Love this sweet story and great illustrations.

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Mar 27, 2015 Elaine rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-book, 2015-picture-book-challenge

I enjoyed this sweet book about Miss Dorothy. She wanted to be a librarian in a big town, but life didn't turn out just like she expected it to. She made the best of it and blessed many people in the process...one of those people being Gloria Houston, the author!

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May 02, 2012 Rachel rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books, favorites

A sweet treat for anyone who shares a love of reading, the thrill of libraries and has romantic sensibilities about small towns and country living. The illustrations are ideallic and happy and made me contented and cozy. Based on a true story, which gave it added charm.

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Dec 14, 2011 Sally rated it really liked it

Recommended to Sally by: Holly E. Newton (Meridian Magazine)

Shelves: children-picture-books

This non-fiction picture book chronicles the life of a would-be librarian in North Carolina and her impact on many with her traveling "library". Lovely illustrations and another great addition to my bookshelf of books about books.

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About Gloria Houston

Gloria Houston

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Gloria Houston was a teacher and a native of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Houston taught students of all ages. Ms. Houston wrote several books for children, including the best-selling My Great-Aunt Arizona, illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb; The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, illustrated by Barbara Cooney; and LittleJim. She lived in Asheville, North Carolina.