Book's Big Adventure

by Adam Lehrhaupt, Rahele Jomepour Bell (Illustrations)

After getting reshelved less prominently, Book worries it will never be read again. It sits alone and neglected on a library shelf, and one unlucky day, Book falls from its perch and lands behind the shelf out of sight. How will anyone find it now?

Young readers will delight in following Book’s journey and the encounter that saves it from being forgotten.

Genres: Picture Books, Books About Books, Childrens, Storytime, Adventure, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2021

About the author

Adam Lehrhaupt is the award-winning author of Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, Please: Open This Book!, Chicken in Space (A six book series: Book 2 Chicken in School lands June 20, 2017), I Will Not Eat You and the upcoming I Don't Draw, I Color (March 21, 2016), Wordplay (July 2017), Idea Jar (Fall 2017), and This is a Good Story (Spring, 2018). He has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He firmly believes that opening a book is a good thing, even if there are monkeys in it. Adam currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, two sons, and two bizarre dogs. Follow Adam on twitter and Instagram @lehrhaupt for the occasional brilliant thought or picture, and at adamlehrhaupt.com.

Reviews

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, YOU'RE crying and going to hug all of your books, right now. 😭📚💖

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, the book description in Goodreads is incorrect. The book does not belong to a little girl, it is a public library book, and the first little girl may be the first one to check it out. Then other children check out the book. The book lives for several years in the public library until it is worn out, and then it is withdrawn and donated to a book give-away program, where it becomes the beloved treasure of another child. I loved the illustrations! The text was short, to the point, and infused with feeling.
2022 CLEL Bell short list for "Read"

[Dannaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this for our book themed story time. This is a really great book about the journey of a library book from the time it's new till the time it gets a new home at the book sale. There's also a very helpful list in the back for parents about how to donate books to get them into the hands of young readers!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy stories that remind readers about things. Reminding readers that there are many types of books (even ones with ugly, nondescript covers) that are meant to be enjoyed is a good tale to tell. Working in a library, I always try to highlight topics/books that might not be the first thought or expectation.

Inevitably a book's life needs to change. Get off the books shelf but find somewhere new to explore. This book talks that too.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful picture book. I know the year has just begun but this will be one of the top picture books for me. Buying my own copy today!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this title from the publisher for an honest review.

As a new book in the library, Book goes on many adventures. He goes on a picnic and in a car; he is read at bedtime and throughout the day. But one day, Book is no longer placed on the new books shelf. He is moved to a lower, darker shelf. His adventures are fewer and fewer; he feels forgotten and wishes for the adventures he once had. After his fall from grace (or the library shelf), he is found and boxed; all hope is lost for Book. Until one day, when Book finds a new home. He is cherished and loved and taken on many new adventures.

Book’s Big Adventure is a fantastic introduction for children to cleaning and donation. Although the book focuses on Book being weeded from the collection and finding a new home through donation, the connection to children getting new toys and forgetting about older ones or growing out of clothing is easily drawn. The illustrations by Bell enhance the story by giving life to Book and the adventures he goes on. They start out bright and colorful, then grow darker as he is forgotten, and finally become bright and airy again when he finds his new home. This is a wonderful picture book to encourage children to clean and donate items. The author also includes a note at the end about where the idea for Book’s Big Adventure came from and where readers can donate used books.

As a side note, Book is not identified as he, she, or they in the book. I identified Book as a he because I thought the illustrations lent more to a he than a she. Book's title looks like a bowtie to me.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, this children’s book is probably one of the best I’ve ever read. I read this tearjerker aloud to my 4 year old cousin expecting to forget about it seconds after it was done, but now I can’t get it out of my head. The story of being forgotten and depressed for so long, and then finally feeling found and understood by new people is just an incredible metaphor told with a book as the main character. This wasn’t just a story about the importance of remembering books. It was a story about the importance of remembering people, and it was an amazing depiction of loneliness. Easy 10/10 book, and I can’t wait to reread it over and over and over again.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library storytime for library week! I went back and forth on this one - the illustrations are so beautiful, but it's kind of a sad story! The little book goes on all these grand adventures...but then he's moved off the display shelf and languishes. There's ultimately a happy ending where book is purchased in a book sale and loved again, but it's a little bleak! I'm not sure my crowd today really *got* it - but we've been trending young lately, and they don't always have the attention span for 3 long books, so I kept this one because it was short! Maybe one of the parents will check it out to read together.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everywhere I go I see far more books available than wanted. The author's advice to use Little Free Libraries, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., is fine... if the ones in your community have space on their shelves. And don't forget to check your city public library for a Friends of the Library organization as it will probably host book sales. Paperbackswap.com is also wonderful if the books you're done with are on someone's wishlist. Good luck!

(btw, I fixed the blurb in the default description)

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK is the main character in this adventure. After being reshelved, will BOOK be forgotten forever?

Of course, as a Goodreads Author, when such thing happen, the one I feel sorry for is the unfortunate AUTHOR. Meanwhile, back at the storybook in question...

Granted the plot involves conflict. Yet this book is mainly upbeat, even while BOOK is suffering from neglect.

"It wondered if its travels were over.
It longed for one last adventure."

Not coincidentally, BOOK did get to go on MANY NEW ADVENTURES.

This tale deserves FIVE STARS, surely.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of a book essentially. I never thought I'd read a book about what eventually becomes a weeded library book put on a library sale. The book itself has nice illustrations. Book isn't a super loveable or funny character or even one with a lot of personality. However, this is a super unique book due to the subject of a weeded book. There is a little bit of back matter that gives some suggestions on where to donate books you no longer want.

[Amy Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joyous, wonderful, realistic depiction of the life of a book! It makes me sad that so many of the lovies for whom I buy books have aged out of picture books, for the most part (well, for purposes of gift-giving. Actually, no one who reads ever completely outgrows excellent picture books!).

The author's notes at the back are worthwhile for grown-ups. Fond memories of running "Book Swaps" in June so that kids without books at home would have some of their own for summer reading.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing kindergarten students browsing in the library, selecting books of their choice, and checking them out for the first time never grows old. Their pride and excitement in this accomplishment fills your soul with happiness. When they gather to hear a story read from a book, they get as close to you as possible. They (and many older students) lean in as if to absorb every line. They relish the cadence of the words. After that story time, the book's popularity is assured.

Later, they will check out the book, to share it with others or retell the story in their own words. Book to book, person to person, stories live. Book's Big Adventure (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, February 9, 2021) written by Adam Lehrhaupt with illustrations by Rahele Jomepour Bell is a tribute to the lasting power of books and the story inside each one.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Debbie Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book for children and adults alike. Tells the story of a book's adventures while living at his library and how his life is later renewed after he is discarded from the stacks. Love that the author included a list of places at the back of the book where you can donate or send your books so that they too may enjoy a second life.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers see what happens when a book is new and the adventures begin. Then, slowly the adventures become less until they stop. Finally, we see what happens when a book is donated and given new life in a child's home. All told from the book's perspective. Bold and bright illustrations capture the book's expressions on this journey.
Love the end with information on where to donate books.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is no longer being read at the library and gets lost, forgotten, and eventually weeded. Then, he is sold or donated, getting a new lease on life.

This is a great book to explain why books are weeded and to introduce a library used book sale to children. The book's back matter includes places to donate books.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrons of all ages often ask librarians, "What happens to 'old' books?" This tender-hearted story, told from the book's perspective, introduces young listeners and readers to consider how giving keeps a well-loved tale "alive."

Publication Date: 2021
Elements: Personification, point of view
Connection/Topics: Book care, giving

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this picture book about the life of a book, and I especially appreciated the back-matter, that shares a few places where you can donate old books, in order to give them a new life & new adventures. The art was a good fit for the book too.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of a library book in a children's format. Honestly, this books should be given to adult book-lovers most of all haha. So many have trouble accepting that books can't always stay in the library and must go on to forever homes.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me nostalgic for the library books that smelled so distinctively musty and sweet when I was little and the giant ancient creaking rocking horse that used to reign over the children's section.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 2 out of 5]

7/9/2022 ~ The audience for this book is really more adults, not kids, even though it's a picture book. Also, there are fairly serious equity issues if we think of donating only the tired, sad, faded books to kids in poverty.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is cute -- very of a certain ilk, books about books. My favorite part is perhaps the author's note and suggestions of places to donate loved books for a second life.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing adventure about the love of reading! All kids librarians will love this book! One of my new favorites! Loved it! Can’t wait to read it again & again! Love this author!

[Jennifer Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with a great message.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one would be perfect to read before doing a book donation drive or if you're adding a Little Free Library!

[Elizabeth]

I have never felt so much love and sadness for a book as I did while reading this one.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about library books finding new life.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had Toy Story and The Velveteen Rabbit flashbacks from this book---definitely inspired feels as a book lover! <3

[Beverly Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me sad in a good way.