We Want Our Books: Rosa's Fight to Save the Library

by Jake Alexander

A defiant, moving and joyful picture book about the power of protest and the importance of books.From the winner of the Macmillan Prize 2019, We Want Our Books is a stunningly illustrated story that shows how any child has the power to change the world.Rosa wants a book. But when she gets to the library, she finds it is closed. What could be the end of the story is just the beginning, as Rosa and her sister Maria try everything they can think of to bring their community together and fight to get back their precious library.A picture book that features big subjects in a child-friendly way, with beautiful artwork, making this the perfect discussion starter for curious children. From debut author and illustrator, Jake Alexander, winner of the Creative Conscience Gold Medal.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Halina Hetman]

Цікава тема - закриття бібліотек і його вплив на місцеві спільноти, проте саме виконання мене не дуже порадувало. Манера оповіді трохи натужна, стиль - посередньо-пінтерестний, а головне послання актуальне, мабуть, для США, але ніяк не для реалій моєї країни.

[Panda Incognito]

The title makes it sound like this book is based on true events, but this story is just fiction, and it's very oversimplified. I found the abrupt ending unsatisfying, and wanted a more realistic depiction of what it would take to save a library slated for destructed. This book sends a message about the value of libraries and reading, but it's a simple, short story that preaches to the choir without any real depth or detail.

[Alice (Children's Books Librarian)]

3.5 stars

A simple story about saving libraries and bringing communities together, will be a good starting place for a reader who can start to read confidently on their own. More could have been discussed about as the pacing was very quick.

Author note in the back is an important and a informative touch on library closures and systemic racism.

[Alison N]

Two sisters kick off a fight to keep their local library from closing. Will they band the neighborhood together? A timely story about the importance of community and access to books.

[Alice]

3 stars
Disappointing - no back matter or reference as to why exactly their community library was closing