My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World

by Margriet Ruurs

Do you get books from a public library in your town or even in your school library? In many remote areas of the world, there are no library buildings. In many countries, books are delivered in unusual way: by bus, boat, elephant, donkey, train, even by wheelbarrow. Why would librarians go to the trouble of packing books on the backs of elephants or driving miles to deliver books by bus? Because, as one librarian in Azerbaijan says, "Books are as important to us as air or water!" This is the intriguing photo essay, a celebration of books, readers, and libraries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Books About Books, Childrens, Geography, Cultural, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Margriet Ruurs is the author of more than 40 children's books, many of them award winners.
Margriet lives on Salt Spring Island where she runs BETWEEN THE COVERS, a booklovers' B & B (see: http://www.betweenthecoversbandb.com/)
She writes regular book reviews of YA and picturebooks here: http://margrietruurs.blogspot.ca/

Margriet visits schools around the world to conduct dynamic author presentations, slideshows of the writing process and poetry writing workshops for students and teachers. She also speaks at many literary conferences each year.
Margriet has a Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University.

She also conducts school talks via Skype.

For more details visit her website and blog: www.margrietruurs.com
Join her Facebook Fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Margrie...

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read about a different country everyday to my students (which each country is a page). This led to great discussions about the privileges that we have and about different cultures. It also gave me the great opportunity to talk about how extremely important reading is.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have time to write an adequate review, and my friends Abigail and Lisa have already written excellent reviews that say so much of what I want to say, so I refer you to those. Suffice it to say, this is an extremely interesting and informative book that really illuminates how lucky most of us are here in the US regarding easy access to a plethora of books (and other materials) from our libraries while spotlighting the great lengths many librarians and patrons must go to in other parts of the world to get their hands on a book. My children also found it interesting and I hope it helps them appreciate how rich we are with our access to library materials. Something I admit I have taken for granted. When the libraries were shuttered due to COVID, it was dreadful. I love libraries and pick up numerous books weekly. So, that's the closest I can approximate to having a lack of library access. But, of course, I am lucky to have a good home library and I even splurged and bought a few books during that time. We are so fortunate! Anyway, my kids' favorites of the delivery services in the book were the camel and elephant, and I was rather intrigued by the library bicycle and I loved the Blackpool Beach library that brings books to beach-goers in a wheelbarrow ;-)
I've not watched these videos yet, but this link might be of interest to those who cannot get this book or who would like to see more of the various types of libraries depicted in the book:
https://behindeveryday.com/bookmobiles/

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margriet Ruurs, whose subsequent title, My School in the Rain Forest: How Children Attend School Around the World , is an exploration of the diverse educational venues to be found around the globe, focuses here on the traveling libraries of the world, and the result is a picture-book that is both educational and inspirational. From the elephant-carried tomes that travel to the people of remote northern Thailand, to the solar-powered truck libraries of rural Australia; from the titular camel-led libraries of Kenya, to the mail-delivered library books of Canada's arctic region, the systems discussed in My Librarian Is a Camel are diverse, but their goal is the same: to put books in the hands of young readers, no matter the logistical difficulties involved!

And boy, do those difficulties put my own library "issues" into perspective! I admit it: when it comes to books, I'm extremely fortunate. One might almost say... spoiled. I belong to one of the country's best public library systems, with the right to borrow titles from any of the (well-endowed) libraries in my county, and the ability to request titles from further afield. I've had rare books come to me from Bangor (Maine), Boulder (Colorado), and, in the case of a book I'm reading right now, Bemidji (Minnesota). I've even had a book come to me from the vaunted Library of Congress! (I admit it, that was a thrill!) I have also, over the years, worked in a college library, and in five bookstores (used and new), and have amassed a pretty incredible collection of my own. Except in fairly rare cases, I can probably put my hands on any book I want...

Not so with so many of the world's children! It's a sobering thought that I probably own more books (children's books, mind) than some of the young readers' in Ruurs' book will see in their entire lives! Obviously, despite my occasional griping, I'm very, very rich. And so are many of my fellow Americans, whether they realize it or not. It's really good to be reminded of the fact that, for most people, books are an incredible luxury, something (like education) to be treasured. Something so important and valuable that people are willing to go to great lengths to provide them, to haul them up mountains and through forests, to carry them down rivers, and across long stretches of land. Book are treasure. It seems incredible that I, with a life devoted to and surrounded by books, might occasionally forget that... but fortunately Margriet Ruurs is there to remind me (and young readers), with this highly recommended little book!

[Jim Sibigtroth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good nonfiction research book describing the many different ways books are brought to children (and adults) where a normal library in a fixed building is not practical. Of course many people are aware of book mobiles in buses or trucks, but some people live where there are no roads. Many of these traveling libraries are very unusual and interesting such as camels in Kenya, elephants in Thailand, and boats in Finland and Indonesia.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me that it’s time to stop kvetching when certain books I want to read aren’t available for borrowing from any of my libraries. They have a huge selection and I have a large number of owned books too. I thought this book was inspiring and educational and fun.

I just finished reading the book That Book Woman , which is a fiction book based on the Pack Horse Librarians, who delivered books to children living in the Appalachian Mountains. My Goodreads friend Abigail noticed that book on my shelves and recommended this book to me, and I am so grateful.

There’s an initial map that shows all the featured countries, and then each page has a map with information (including languages spoken) about each country and its inhabitants, and photographs of the libraries, the children, the books, and the librarians. I was surprised and pleased to see all the different types of libraries there are.

Every school library should have this book, available to both classrooms and individual students. Every public library should also have at least one copy of this book available for borrowing. Kids will really enjoy seeing how kids in other parts of the world get their library books!

The library that most broke my heart was the one in Pakistan, where the children get to keep the books for just one hour. The library I got the biggest kick out of was the Blackpool Beach Library, bringing books via wheelbarrow.

My only quibble was that there weren’t even more places and examples.

Another book by this author, My School in the Rain Forest How Children Attend School Around the World is a book I have on reserve. I’m interested because of this book and because of my currently reading book Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time . Given how much I love libraries and books, I can’t imagine I’ll be as excited to read it as I was to read this book, but it sounds interesting too.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

We rarely realize how easy we have it in the developed world. Even something as simple as borrowing a book can be an arduous process in some parts of the globe. Readers will be astounded to learn of the many ways books reach children, and the near-universal love children have of books.

I will say that after watching the documentary "How I Became an Elephant", Thailand's elephant-back library bothered me, however. It's a difficult issue.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for opening our eyes about how things are different in other countries. This time, how books get to children! Everything from buses, to boats, to bikes, to camels, to elephants. Really really interesting.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an older book filled with information and pictures of happy people checking out books! Not everyone in the US has immediate access to books, but many of us do, and all of us should. Thirteen countries' "bookmobiles" are shared, including pictures, brief text about the way the check out for each one works, and additional information about the countries and the unique geography that demands a different dispersal of books. One also delivers mail! For example, In Papua, New Guinea, a non-profit organization is dedicated to bringing books to a remote area in that country. Books are brought in a truck up a winding mountain road and then many are carried on volunteers' backs for a four-hour hike further up the mountain. And, on one of England's beaches, a librarian carried a wheelbarrow of books to beach tourists for check-out as they vacation. I was amazed and inspired by the dedication of these librarians.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informational and multicultural, this book shows different ways books get to children in remote areas of different countries. Information is given about each country, in addition to showing its location on a map. Great photographs.

I liked this book because of the information provided and the photographs. I think the children could appreciate how easy it is for them to get their hands on books after reading this story. I would recommend this book for children third grade and up. Third graders may prefer to have this book read aloud.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margriet Ruurs was inspired by a newspaper article that highlighted the fact that camels were used to bring children books in Kenya...she was curious about how children in other parts of the world came into contact with books. Ruurs researched the following countries (Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, England, Finland, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Thailand, and Zimbabwe) and shares their unique library practices in this book.

My favorite is the book-boat of Finland.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring to find so many creative ways of getting books out there, and so many people who care about it.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows how countries around the world see the importance of reading. They put so much importance on reading that they are using all means of transportation including trucks, vans, camels, boats, and even by mail. Some countries I’m sure you have heard of before, others not so much. Kenya, Canada, Indonesia, and Thailand and common, while Azerbaijan is less common. The area Ruurs wrote about in Canada is Nunavut which is part of the Northwest Territories and is very remote. In this area, the people order their books online and the library sends the children the books using the postal service. Included in their package is a self-addressed label so the children are able to return the books with no cost to them. This book introduces children to the different libraries around the world and the importance each country puts on reading. The reader will learn about the country and its location but the way they get the books to the people who live in remote areas of each country. This book would be good for third through fifth grade. A teacher could put the children in pairs and have each pair learn about a certain countries library system and then have them teach what they learned to the class. A teacher could also have the children turn and talk to a neighbor about their own experiences with visiting a library.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept for this book is wonderful, how children around the world visit the library even when they live in isolated and sometimes dangerous places. However, I did not think it was very well organized. Each page is a different country and the reader is provided with a few photos, a basic map of the country, a blurp of basic information regarding that country, and a synopsis of what makes their library different> For example, in Kenya librarians arrive on camel and set up tents to hand out books which can be kept and then exchanged when the camels return.

The problem is that many of the modes of transportation became repetitive with serval mentions or boats, herd animals, and trucks and some were just plain boring (in Northern Canada they pick up books at the post office because the library uses a mailing system).

I think it would have been more interesting if it was organized by method instead of country.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool book about the way books are brought to children around the world. I'm not sure if I feel glad or sad that I don't go to work every day on a camel!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great reminder that we have more in common with people around the world than we might think. Children everywhere love books! We take books and libraries for granted in the USA, but in many other countries people are going to great efforts to promote literacy and get books to kids! The methods described in this book include bookmobiles, books by mail, boats, bicycles, camels, elephants, horses, and donkeys! I love how it quoted kids in Monogolia as saying that books are sweeter than candy. 😻

[Ivy Wesner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot:
Do you realize how lucky you are to be surrounded by books and libraries? Did you ever wonder what it would be like not to have books available to you when you wanted them? Margriet Ruurs invites you into her scrapbook of mobile libraries around the world where literature is not easy to get a hold of.
Some children around the world do not have the conveniences of selecting any book they wish. They can only receive books from libraries that are brought to them, books from mobile libraries. Some of these libraries are in the form of buses, boats, camels, horses, donkeys, elephants, and even wheel barrels. Some even provide more than just books. But the one thing these libraries have in common is the happiness they bring to children around the world!
What about some of those remote areas where transportation is almost impossible you ask? Volunteers actually walk for miles, carrying hundreds of books on their backs just to bring forms of literature and happiness to those who want and need these resources.
Organizations are limited to their funding, but that does not stop them. We so easily take for granted some of the simplest forms of enjoyment and don’t realize how lucky we are. So the next time you purchase or check out a book at your local library, remember how fortunate you are to have the world of literature at your fingertips!

Literary Merit:
This nonfiction photo documentary takes you on a real journey showing you how certain cultures and regions have limited access not only to books, but transportation and resources as well. The colorful words, pictures and maps allow you to take a trip across the world to learn about other cultures. While this book may not be suited for young children to read because of the lengthy text, it would capture the hearts of all ages if it was read to them, preferably not all at once. The maps allow the reader to envision the area in which these mobile libraries reach remote civilizations. And, the reader doesn’t even have to look at the pictures to feel the passion in which Ruurs is trying to emphasize. You can envision the world through the words on each page, “The smile of a child holding a book is enough reward for the volunteers who carry boxes of books into the jungle of Papua New Guinea.” This sentence allows you to envision children running to those volunteers and embracing a new world through literature. Her words create an atmosphere in reach some may never see on their own. Children will be able to connect to other cultures through the love of reading. As it is stated by a librarian in Azerbaijan, “For us, the mobile library is as important as air or water.” How could any reader not feel empathy with this statement!
This book received several award distinctions including the Notable Social Studies Trade Book list and the Notable Books for Global Society.


Genre Considerations:
This is a nonfiction photo documentary that takes you on a trip around the world to see how other cultures view literature and how it is not so easy for them to receive the privileges of words. On every page your heart is captured with real photos of volunteers delivering a priceless opportunity to others. Many of these photos were taken by the volunteers and librarians themselves. The stories about each country/region are so specific; you can almost feel as though you are on the journey with them. Not only is this book entertaining, it is educational as well. The pages of this book are filled with unique and educational facts about each of the thirteen countries visited. A map is provided so you can see where these regions are located along with the flag; estimated population, capital, and the spoken language are just some of the facts that are supplied to the reader.

Reader Response:
The message that Ruur implies within this book is an insight into human behaviors in other cultures and allows the reader to empathize with a certain privilege we way too often take for granted. This book could be read to children in PK classrooms along with children in a fourth grade classroom. While it is a lengthy book with some long words, and may not be suitable for certain ages to read on their own, it still could be applied into lessons on diversity, culture and could be used in a variety of social studies lessons. As the teacher reads the book to the class, the students could be asked to find each country/region on a world map to see how far away or how close these areas are to the United States. The students could also access the locations on a computer. This would allow them to see more pictures and information about each area. A classroom could also do a little investigating and find a local organization that participates in supplying books to children that are less fortunate. It could also be a great way to incorporate writing their own books to send to children across the globe.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living in Portland, I’m definitely familiar with and spoiled by library love. Whether it’s the magnificent buildings of the Multnomah County Library, a bicycle-powered mobile library for the homeless, or mini lending libraries popping up all over the city, there are no shortages of access to books here. Because they are seemingly everywhere, it can be easy to take for granted this one of many (many, many) services libraries provide. In other countries, libraries can be rarities, which in turn means loss opportunities to enhance one’s mind, one’s self, and one’s community. Luckily, there are resourceful people who understand the power of books and are determined to reach these unserved populations.

“My Librarian Is a Camel” (2005) by Margriet Ruurs is a children’s non-fiction picture book that showcases the ingenuity of librarians, reading promoters, volunteers, and other literacy-minded individuals who do just that. From Australia to Zimbabwe, by boat, bus, camels, and practically any other mode of transportation you can think of, we see the value libraries bring to communities.

Recently you may have heard about Luis Soriano, a teacher who travels with his donkeys (Alfa and Beto) to bring books to children in his native Columbia. He was chosen as a CNN Hero in 2010 and the subject of a PBS documentary for his efforts. Last year alone, two children’s picture books were published about him and his Biblioburro or Donkey Library.

“My Librarian Is a Camel” introduced me to and reminded me of people like Luis Soriano who do these incredible things to ensure books get in the hands of children.

Other Noteworthy Non-fiction (or Based on True Stories) Children's Picture Books about Libraries and Librarians (and Other People who Give out Books!)
*The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq- Jeanette Winter
*Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq: Inspired by a True Story- Mark Alan Stamaty
[The above two books are about Alia Muhammad Baker, an Iraqi librarian who saved the books in her country during wartime. You can read more about her here: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/27/wor... ]
*Biblioburro- Jeanette Winter: A True Story from Colombia
*Waiting for the Biblioburro- Monica Brown
[The above two books are about Luis Soriano. More information about the documentary can be found here: http://www.pbs.org/pov/biblioburro/ ]

[Annie Zuckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Librarian is a Camel is a book filled with different excerpts about how books are brought to children around the world. Margriet Ruurs includes research from Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, England, Finland, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Thailand, and Zimbabwe. Ruurs felt inclined to write this book because years ago she read an article about the use of camels to bring books to children who were residing in small, remote villages. She was inspired by the articled and decided to do her own research on a variety of countries around the world. Each excerpt on the different countries includes some background information such as the quality of life, population, capital, and some other basic facts. The author then goes on to describe the type of “mobile libraries” that are used throughout the country and how it affects the children residing there. The mobile libraries are unique to the country and allow the reader to gain an even deeper understanding of what the country is really like.

This book is set up more as a textbook than a storybook simply because of the separate excerpts on each page. However, I believe this would be a book that young readers would thoroughly enjoy and benefit from because they are able to connect with the “characters” (children) in the excerpts.

Using this book in a classroom would hopefully not only inspire reading but also teach students the idea of multiculturalism. Because there are so many different countries included in this book, students are able to gain a basic understanding of the different cultures that reside in the world and the various lifestyles that people work through each day.
Not only are the stories of this book inspiring, but the pictures promote education as well. Young readers will likely be intrigued by the abundance of real-life photographs throughout the pages. This allows students to again get a better idea of the various cultures they are reading about.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margriet Ruurs shares how children who live in rural areas and communities across the world get access to books. In some places, books arrive in mobile libraries on wheels but in others like in Kenya, cars cannot cross the desert so camels carry about five hundred books on their backs. In each place we learn how excited and eager the children are for the books and libraries to arrive.

Ruurs combines sharing how the books are brought to children who do not have access to permanent libraries with beautiful photographs of the children receiving and reading the books, as well as brief facts and information about the country. She informs readers that in Omkoi, Thailand there are not any schools and the villagers cannot read or write but the government is trying to change that with literacy programs. This book should be shared with students so they can see both how fortunate we are to have schools and easy access to books, as well as the dedication many have to make sure children can have books to read.

I would pair this book with Waiting for the Bilblioburro by Monica Brown. This narrative story shares a young girl's excitement when the burros arrive in her village with books to read, which can also inspire her to create her own.

"These children live in poverty, but the blue library truck brings a surge of happiness and curiosity. "It's a big event when the library comes to town. It's a bit of happiness for children who normally don't have much to look forward to.""

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. Remind me to stop complaining when the AC is my building isn't keeping the temp within one degree of my preferred temp! Because, seriously! If I had to take my library out on elephants or camels or donkeys...yeah. Let's just call me a lazy librarian! That being said, I adore the wheelbarrow library idea. It's like a Little Free Library on wheels! Might propose this one to my director! lol

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea behind this book is really interesting. The author contacted librarians around the world and asked them for information about their libraries. In this book we see how people, especially kids receive books all over the world. We see that in Indonesian villages along the river, a floating library boat greets children. In Thailand, books are delivered to children by way of elephants. In the far North area of Canada, the Inuit people receive books from the library through the mail. In America, libraries are so common that most children probably take going to the library for granted but this book will help children not only learn about different mobile libraries around the world but should help them appreciate their next trip to the library. Engaging photographs of all of the featured libraries are also included in this book.

[Jaclyn Kruljac · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Librarian is a Came compares libraries in several other countries. In Australia, libraries are mobile vehicles. In England, the Blackpool Beach Library is a wheelbarrow. In Finland and Indonesia, libraries are by boat and in Kenya books are delivered by camel. These countries value the delivery of the books and look forward to it.

This book is a great way to teach compare/contrast as well as exploring other cultures and countries. A library is something that is well known to many students. A fun activity to use with this book could be to have students draw a picture of their vision of a library before reading the book and write a description and a picture of a library after reading the book describing their knew perception of a library. I would recommend this book as a read aloud for younger readers K-2 or guided reading groups for grades 3-6.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A selection of this book in the basal we use with students in fourth grade in my school district. As for informational text, this is okay. I also have a copy of the actual book on my bookshelf. And while I have displayed it previously when we read the book, it wasn't until today that I actually read all of it. I figure we read about half of it in our basal.

The book chronicles how books are delivered to children in various parts of the world, most notably those in remote areas. For instance, in the arctic regions of Canada, books are mailed to children. In other places, boats, bicycles, and bookmobiles are used to deliver books. In Kenya, camels are used, thus the title of the book.

It's an interesting enough read. I like this far more than many of the informational texts we are assigned to read.

[Kermit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had recently read the novel, The Camel Bookmobile, by Masha Hamilton. So I had go find out more about the program that uses camels to to African small villages. This nonfiction book describes what REAL bookmobiles are like (many urban children have never even heard of a bookmobile). It also describes how books are delivered to remote Native American villages in Canada (via the postal service as children request books on the internet and then the books are mailed to them and they are also returned via the postal system), to small islands in Finland (via boat), to small islands in Indonesia (via boats called floating libraries), to Mongolia (via a horse-drawn wagon), to Thailand (via elephants), etc.

[Ken Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Librarian Is a Camel, was a great one of a kind book. This book will really pull children in, students will be intrigued by every page within. The book explains to students how other children all around the world get books just like they do. This book would be great for 1st grade to 4th grade, anything before that I think would have too much text for younger children. The pictures are wonderful though. I think that this book would really be helpful to make kids understand how other cultures are. It is important for our students to grow up with good knowledge about diverse cultures. This would also be great if you had a student within the class that was from another area of the world and would help them feel welcomed.

[Deborah White · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Librarian Is a Camel is a book that encourages the reader to look at what a library is and can be. In other parts of the world it may not be housed in a building around the corner, but may be on the back of a Camel, or maybe on a boat. This photo essay takes you on a trip around the world and gives you a peek into other ways of life. The photos are outstanding in this very informative book about something we take for granted in the United States - libraries. We are very fortunate in our country to have libraries, but in other parts of the world libraries are not as accessible. A treasure of a book. Engaging photographs and interesting stories about others parts of the world and the power and desire for literacy even in the most difficult of situations.

[Abigail Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We think of a library as a building where we can go and find almost any book we can think of and check it out. However, for some countries a library is a mobile thing. Whether it is by bus, boat or even camel these remote places are receiving books when they otherwise would not. Without the hard work of dedicated librarians, some places would have no books at all.

This book can be used to expose students to different cultures and cause them to realize how lucky they truly are. Also, it can be used to educate them about different places around the world that they may have never heard of. My students could start collecting books for students in other countries to send to them so that they may be able to enjoy great books like us!

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly excellent. It's so easy to forget, sitting here as a middle class citizen in the grand U.S.A. that there are people who might not have books. Not have books? Thanks to Material World and Hungry Planet, I've been thinking more lately about where people around the world live (housing), what possessions they have and their lack or abundance of food.

This book was about how children get books to read. Camels, elephants, boats, book trains, bookmobiles etc. It was cheering to read. I was happy each time I read about children getting books to read.

Now, I've got to read it to my kids!

[Katy Jean Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I like this book because I like seeing all the different ways that mobile libraries work around the world. However, I feel like this book does, to a degree, reinforce the idea that "foreign places" are backwards and different. It might have been nice to inset of a photo of a major library in each country as well. After all, Canadians do not all live in the frozen netherlands and one of my favorite libraries growing up was in Sydney, Nova Scotia. I never entered this library in anything other than shorts and a t-shirt. Of course, the Canadian sitting next to me asked if they heat the igloo there?

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty 90s-looking design, but I absolutely loved seeing all the different ways that dedicated people get books to children in the most remote places, and to other people just for fun. They use elephants, donkeys, camels, bicycles, boats, trucks, and even wheelbarrows on the beach. The mobile library in Australia was definitely the coolest and most high-tech, but I think the story in Papua New Guinea is the most heartwarming: Those volunteers drive as far as they can in their truck, then carry the boxes of books on their shoulders for four hours over hills and log bridges. Most of the libraries need more books, too, and it made me want to find out how I can help them.