Too Much Noise in the Library

by Susan Margaret Chapman, Abby Carter (Illustrator)

Alarmed by the loud sounds in a school's library during a librarian's absence, a mayor eliminates each sound until it is silent, prompting the librarian to try and convince him of the error of his decision when she returns.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Storytime, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2010

Reviews

[Anayssa Pulido · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to read aloud in a classroom about going to the library. When people go to the library, they expect a nice quiet place to relax and read. However, this book talks about the appreciation of children in a library and how although the library is loud at times because of children laughing, teachers talking, keyboards typing, and people asking questions,it is always better to have some noise than nothing at all. If things are too quiet it can get lonely, boring, and make people sleepy. This has a twist on a classic folktale and it reminds us of the true spirit of the library and its joyful noise. The illustrations used throughout were simple, but connected well with the story. I'd recommend it to any young reader.

[Allison Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's book could have replaced a good portion of my school library media education. The mayor comes to visit Ms. Reade's lively media center, expecting a nice, quiet place to read. Instead, he finds too much noise, and starts shutting off computers, locking up books, and kicking kids out. But the mayor finally realizes that libraries don't work very well without any noise! My only complaint is that the busy illustrations and text fill too much of each page up, so the book feels crowded and cramped. Any school library media specialist could have suggested that busyness only works with meticulous organization, which this book's design lacks.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mayor visits a school library and finds it very different from the quiet and peaceful space he is used to. He decides that this is too much noise for a library, and changes everything. He soon learns that the noise he was so uncomfortable with, is what MAKES the library.

I have to say, as someone who worked with administrators who believed the same "quiet/peaceful" philosophy, this was a great book to illustrate how libraries truly are. I would recommend it to read at staff development days, actually. LOL Reminding teachers and administrators that a busy library is a working library. Great job.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an elementary school teacher-librarian I definitely appreciate this book's message and agree that libraries should be full of life and learning, which doesn't have to be quiet. The execution of the story fell flat, though, and I found myself skipping over entire pages because the text was repetitive.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and fun read aloud. Logistically I have questions (it's a school library, what is the mayor doing there...and why are these kids just randomly watching DVDs?) but once you set those niggly details aside it's a very sweet book.

[Jodi Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story, would be great for a librarian to use not only to read to students but also for administrators to help understand that libraries are changing!

[Brianna Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to help teach about libraries and library etiquette, but to make sure not to take it too far because a really quite library isn't always the best thing because libraries are meant for reading, soft talking, asking questions, and so much more. I think this is a cute book about what libraries are like and i think this could be a good introduction to students who have not been to a library. Also the pictures help bring to life the actions in the book.

[Caitlynn Melick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations really date this story, but it's a good look at libraries as active spaces.

[Shay Vande · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rhythm and repetition to this one would make it very fun to read aloud to children.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Reade runs a lively school library but it is much too loud for the city Mayor. Ms. Reade steps out of the library for a moment and the Mayor gets to work on making the library peaceful and quiet...but is a quiet library a good library?

Rhythmic, repetitive text is fun to read aloud and the Mayor's character is sure to make young kiddos giggle. Illustrations are lively. Good book!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The library is noisy and the Mayor decides to fix it by locking the book drop and sending the teachers and children away. When the librarian comes back she is shocked and helps the Mayor to see that the library is no good with out people

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's obvious the mayor has not visited a library in quite awhile because he thinks the local school library is way too noisy, so while the school librarian is gone, he makes a few changes until he is the only one left. Good book redefining what a library has become -

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mayor visits Ms. Reade's school library, and when he decides it is too noisy, he turns off the computers and DVD players, locks up all the books, and sends the students and teachers away, but soon realizes that a library is no good if it is not being used.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fantastic story to use with large audiences in an audience participation-type way, especially to promote summer reading.

[Megengelter]

All the noises in the library - without them it's not right - put them back in!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good lesson for librarians who start to think that noise in the library is a bad idea. The repetitiveness would be good for children who want to participate in the telling of the story.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book that could be used to read to the classroom before going to the library. The illustrations are simple but fun. I would recommend this book for all elementary aged students!

[Emily Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graeme's first pick from the school library.

[Katie Fargo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably for 2nd or 3rd graders. Covers all the different activities that go on in the library.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction to what the culture of a school library should be like. Busy, lively, and full of curious kids doing inquiry! It sets an expectation for students and teachers.

I have been sharing this book with first, second, and fourth grade ESL students. They LOVE IT! They especially love the repetitive language as they instantly memorize it and read it aloud with the narrator through each iteration of trying to make the library quiet. They also especially love Adam and his 'million questions.'

This book is useful in communicating how to use the library for children coming from cultures which don't emphasize library excellence. Already though, by first and second grade, children have an opinion about what a school library should be like. It is interesting to hear them debate it. But it's also fun to hear them ask unexpected questions like 'the library has DVDs we can check out?' once they hear about them in the book. I like to ask students what they would like their school library to be like: bustling or quiet?

It would be fun to pair this with 'The Quiet Book' and 'The Loud Book' by Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska for a story time.

I also ask each student after reading this book what books they have enjoyed reading from the library this week and it spurs a knowledge of library culture and library books for that student level.

One criticism I would have of this title is that it would be more appropriate if the authority figure overruling Ms. Reade, the teachers, and their students was the school principal rather than a Mayor. Having a Mayor overrule educators is an inaccurate depiction of institutional hierarchy and accountability. Having a politician overrule a self-governing institution is fascism. Why normalize that to the next generation?