Yours in Books: A Picture Book

by Julie Falatko, Gabriel Alborozo (Illustrations)

A picture book (love?) story told in letters between a furry bookshop owner, an avid, if a bit cranky, feathered reader, and their forest friends

Owl just wants some peace and quiet to read his books—alone. But when the forest youngsters ruffle his feathers, he enlists the local bookshop owner to send him handpicked books to help cope with the chaos and the mess. It’s not long before Owl discovers Squirrel and learns that just as important as solitude are companionship and community. Told entirely in letters, this charming picture book celebrates books and bookshops, letter writing, and love.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Humor, Books About Books, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Julie Falatko is the award-winning author of picture books and novels, including Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat series, The Great Indoors, Yours in Books, and many more.

Originally from New Jersey, Julie now lives in Maine with her family.

Reviews

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum]

Children's books that celebrate a love of reading will get me every time, and I couldn't resist purchasing a copy of Yours In Books by Julie Falatko. Our main character is Owl T. Fencepost and all he wants is to be left alone in his tree house to read his books in peace.

Owl lives at the top of an old oak tree and is bothered by noisy animals. Frustrated, he writes a letter to a bookshop after perusing their marvellous catalog and a friendship slowly develops. The entire book is told in a series of letters and book recommendations (two of my favourite things), and Owl begins to make a new friend in the owner of the bookshop, Bessie Squirrel.

Illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo, the book is full of cheerful and charming illustrations and I heartily enjoyed reading the letters and observing the relationship growing between the two characters with each letter they wrote, sent and received. The book recommendations were amusing too and I think older readers will enjoy the titles.

It was immediately clear - to me anyway - that Yours In Books is a different take on 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. For those who haven't had the pleasure, 84, Charing Cross Road is a non fiction collection of letters initiated by Helene Hanff living in New York to a second hand bookshop in London called Messrs Marks and Co. The letters were part of a 20 year correspondence between Hanff and Frank Doel and while it was published in 1970, I thoroughly enjoyed it in 2012.

Perhaps it's a coincidence that ten years later I'm reading a children's book that seems to be inspired by 84 Charing Cross Road or the 1987 movie starring Judi Dench and Anthony Hopkins.

The choice to present this delightful read for a new generation of little readers in a dust jacket is once again an interesting choice for a children's book. When reviewing Farmhouse I observed that this was an odd choice for a children's book, but you tell me. Is this the trend in children's books? Do parents, librarians and teachers think it's a good idea?

Yours In Books by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo is an engaging little story and I look forward to sharing it with my niece and nephew.

[Shiloah]

Delightful! Must own!

[Jennifer]

This fun book is reminiscent of 84 Charing Cross Road. Cute, fun, worth reading, this was the highlight of tonight's reads!

[Hallie Faden]

Clara’s library book.

[Amy Hesterman]

I have always been a firm believer that relationships grow and deepen over books. I've experienced it first hand and I've watched it happen. This book tells the story of an owl who would just like some peace and quiet so he can read! He contacts Squirrel's bookshop by letter to see if there might be a book on the subject of "soundproofing your forest dwelling." From that point on, a constant stream of letters between the two animals ensues. Squirrel gives wonderful customer service to Owl, going the extra mile to meet his literary needs. The progression of Owl and Squirrel's relationship within the letters is absolutely precious. The letters go from formal to personal and their relationship is a delight to watch grow. An absolute must for any library! What is milk toast by the way? ;)

[Cynthia Egbert]

Another rare five star rating from me. This one felt like 84 Charing Cross Road for children. I adore an epistolary book for children. And the way this one unfolds is simply priceless. A grumpy old owl becoming the favorite home for the forest neighborhood children, all through books. My 2022 reading focus is on books about books as well as revisiting old favorites and this one felt like a little bit of both.

[Sarah BT]

If The Shop Around the Corner or You've Got Mail was a picture book featuring forest animals, it would be this adorable love letter to booksellers, librarians, and book lovers of all ages.

[Melanie Dulaney]

Julie Falatko (various picture books such as Snappsy the Alligator and the oh so funny upper elementary Two Dogs and a Trenchcoat series) introduces readers/listeners to a somewhat cranky owl who is desperately searching for a book that will help him find the peace and quiet he is longing for. He repeatedly writes letters to the bookstore looking for books that will help him soundproof his home, build a fence, etc., but the savvy squirrel store owner replies with letters of his own and replacement titles that teach him to cook (and the wonderful smells draw neighborhood kids to his house) and similar. Mr. Owl continues to acquire books that draw young forest creatures to his home and, no surprise, eventually realizes that he loves having them visit and create using the books that Mr. Squirrel has wisely substituted. The letters/books that flow between bookstore and home in the tree are filled with humor and irony that will be lost on some but the storyline will be entertaining to all and the characterization and prediction opportunities will please any elementary teacher. Excellent, “first choice” selection for libraries serving K-4 and could even be used as a creative activity with older students as they invent titles asked for and received by Mr. Owl! Loved it.

[Margaret]

Stitched in librarians' hearts are the words

the right book for the right reader at the right time.

When this happens, the world of that reader and those around them changes. In their excitement at reading this book, they read it to others or speak about it with others. These others in turn do the same. Words are powerful. They are even more transformative in books.

It is also said this purpose is shared by all those devoted to books and reading. It is a gift happily given again and again. Yours In Books (Cameron Kids, September 21, 2021) written by Julie Falatko with illustrations by Gabriel Alborozo is an endearing correspondence between two individuals, One is a bookshop owner. The other is someone seeking solitude to read. During the course of their written conversations, we grow in understanding of the power of words lovingly written and illustrated in books.


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

[Tara Sypien]

I don't review or even track all the books I read my youngest son....but this one was so adorable! The illustrations of the woodland creatures are so cute. Plus all the books in the background 😍 Then the story is written as a series of letters back and forth between two characters. Lastly it gave me so many Winnie-the-Pooh vibes in the best way and we just loved it. After we finished it I basically took a picture of each page with my phone!

[Gloria]

Love love love this picture book in letters between a crotchety owl who just wants some peace and quiet and the bookstore-owning squirrel who sends just the right books for every occasion 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Arvia Maharhani]

Lucu banget konsepnya surat-suratan gituuu. Terus ilustrasinya cakep :''

[Kirsti]

Epistolary story about a peevish, polysyllabic owl and the bookselling squirrel who helps him. Also, there's a party. Contains some challenging vocabulary, so it's probably best as a read-aloud.

[Edward Sullivan]

A charming tribute to books and friendship framed as an amusing parody of epistolary stories.

[Erin]

This book is so sweet! A great one to add to your list of epistolary picture books and your books-about-books list.

[Peacegal]

This is a cute little book that demonstrates how correspondence between two characters can be used to tell a story. I felt a little bad for introvert Owl--he just wanted some quiet reading time!

[Bentala]

Oh this is super cuteee.

[Edith]

84 Charing Cross Road for little people. Charming and enjoyable.

[April May Read It]

I don’t normally post children’s book reviews, but I do have five children and a fairly large book collection I’ve collected over the last twenty years with them. Also, my mom went back to school when I was in junior high to finish her degree in education. She taught elementary school and read children’s books with us regularly even when we were too old for them. I have great memories of this and believe childrens books can teach great lessons in just a few pages.

So, I visited the cutest bookshop in San Antonio yesterday @thetwigbookshop and I found this adorable book. It spoke to my heart and was the very thing I have realized over the past couple of years. Friendship and community are so special. ❤️

[Carol Doeringer]

In this story told entirely in letters, an owl and squirrel are correspondents. They write letters about books and kid-induced mayhem that Owl attracts like a magnet. I laughed at every page. The book’s premise is funny and it’s full of little jokes. But it’s big on heart, too. The story celebrates the love of books, connections made when we share books, and books as problem-solvers. The art is beautiful and funny, too. You’ll want to read this book with your littles, maybe taking turns reading the letters. Some vocabulary is a bit challenging. The publisher recommends the book for ages 3-5, but I think even older kids will enjoy the story.

[Linda]

This is the cutest story by Julie Falatko with charming illustrations by Gabriel Alboroza is about an Owl T. Fencepost who I think protests too much. All told in letters, Owl keeps sending letters to Bessie Squirrel, a bookstore owner with requests for titles like How to Soundproof Your Forest Dwelling. Bessie replies that it's out of stock, so how about Yes You Do Want to Live in the Woods: Why Life in the Trees Is the Bee's Knees? Change slowly happens as we see Owl continue to be welcoming to young forest animals and they later, in turn, plan a nice surprise. Don't miss the endpapers by Alboroza!

[Janet]

Charming title this is written in letters between an owl who needs to purchase some books from a bookstore owned by a squirrel. Lots of subtle humor within the fairly short letters and plenty of book substitutions need to be made, but all ends well with Mr. Owl making a trip to the bookstore.
I would choose to read this title to first through third graders as the humor is too subtle for the younger children in my opinion. The illustrations enhance the title and have lots of book and reading influence.

Funniest thing this title is by the author Falatko, whose title HelpWanted:One Rooster I just finished and gave a very poor review to, but Iadored this one and thankfully they had different illustrators.

[Elayne Crain]

I am sure I don't need to tell you, Goodreads book review reader, that the Book Loving Community is the best community. If you've ever longed for a book buddy--someone who just "gets" you (your taste, what would enrich your life)--this story of an owl seeking answers and a squirrel sharing opportunities will resonate. Written as a series of back-and-forth letters and illustrated with charm to spare, this lovely picture book is both a celebration of books but also the community they can bring together (sometimes in unexpected ways). Lovely and sweet without being saccharine; highly recommend.

[Mary]

All Owl wants is to be left alone to read in peace and quiet, but it's not happening in his joyfully noisy neighborhood. So how does Owl deal with his problem? Why he reaches out to the local bookstore, Pine: A Bookshop, for books, of course. This is an engaging epistolary picture book about making friends, enjoying new experiences, using books to solve problems, and the delight of having your own personal readers advisor. An enchanting book themed story that will leave the reader yearning for an afternoon at the local bookstore. A must read for bookstore fans!

[Rachel]

I found this one on one of my book review newsletters, and it sounded adorable. The entire book is told in letters sent between the introverted Owl T. Fencepost and Bessie the Squirrel, owner of the local bookshop. Owl wants to get rid of his noisy neighbors (mostly children) and build a fence around his property to keep them out, but they keep finding ways to come in and "annoy" him, by making him do things like read to them. Bessie the Squirrel will not fill his book requests, and keeps suggesting books that will help him interact with the kids instead. In the end, the kids plan a surprise tea party and invite both of the shy adults to finally meet each other. I thought this book would make a great family storytime book about Tea Time (might have to skip a couple letters just so it isn't so long) and would pair great with "Tea Rex" by Molly Idle. I liked that the farther into the book we got the less formal the letters became as Owl and Bessie became friends. Highly recommended for ages 4-8, 5 stars. 

[Kelly Knits]

A series of letters between the bookstore, owning chipmunk, and a flustered owl, who just wants a cup of tea and can’t get rid of all the woodland creatures who keep coming to visit. The story is told as a series of correspondence letters between the two main characters. And the chipmunk continues to send recommendations that get the owl socializing and playing with all of the little creatures who keep showing up. Basically the owl learns to be a good friend. It was a really sweet story.

[Dannaca]

We read this for our book themed story time. Owl is frustrated with the noise level in his tree and writes to a bookshop owning squirrel for help. Help arrives over the course of several letters, but it's not exactly what Owl was expecting. This is a sweet story about getting out of one's comfort zone and making new friends along the way. I'd recommend it for older kids, as it was hard to keep the little one's interest, but this is a fantastic book for the right audience!

[Susan]

A delightful picture books starring a curmudgeonly owl writing back and forth with a bookselling squirrel. It has the timeless feel of a classic epistolary novel and yet the detail about books being out of stock feels very current for these times. I think kids will love seeing Owl gradually let his guard down and warm up to those around him.

[Morgan]

I'm a sucker for books written in letters, especially when one of the letter writers is a curmudgeonly owl with a reluctant heart of gold and the other is a sweet and wise book-slinging squirrel. If anybody finds a copy of "Disguises to Make Owls Look Boring, Invisible, or Somewhat Menacing" plz let me know.

[Christie Kaaland]

When the cranky owl (of course, it's an owl) owner of a bookstore receives a catalog in the mail, he begins to order books to rid himself of the pesky little critters outside. One after another is "unavailable, however, and soon he learns to live with...and love all those sweet young friends. How cute!