Check It Out! Reading, Finding, Helping

Community Heroes

by Patricia Hubbell, Nancy Speir (Illustrator)

Librarians love to read and share books. But they also like to plan book parties and look up fun facts. They help with schoolwork. They tell stories that make people giggle. They even dress up for book parades. Librarians love their jobs and that’s why children love them. This book takes the reader inside the life of a librarian and shows all the wonderful things she does all day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Patricia Hubbell has been writing poetry since she was eleven years old.
In 1998, her Wrapping Paper Romp was selected as a Parents Magazine Book of the Year.
Patricia Hubbell lives with her husband, Harold Hornstein, in Easton, Connecticut, the small town where she was born.
Remembering how much their children and grandchildren loved to bounce when they were very young prompted her to write Bouncing Time. "Bouncing is one of the joyous things little kids do," she says. "It reflects their constant enthusiasm."

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite book about what librarians do! This book does an excellent job of explaining what tasks librarians do from planning programs, to helping with schoolwork, to fixing books. This book would be a fantastic read aloud, especially if a class visits the library or you visit a class at school. The pictures are clear and uncluttered and the text keeps it simple and bounces along. I can't say enough good about this book!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Librarians are far more than "those people who sit behind the desk and check out books". They are planners, readers, finders, fixers, multi-taskers, helpers, researchers, and perhaps most important, lovers of literature willing to share this affection in many ways, from fantastic displays to fun and engaging programs that remind people just how vital a library truly is.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have done without the image on the last page of the stereotypical librarian, going home after work to snuggle with her cat and read.

At least it depicted us doing fun things and using technology though!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short simple rhyming book about what a librarian, specifically a children's librarian, does. It is very modern and displays a wide array of activities. It is my new favorite children's book about librarians, and is perfect for a library storytime!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO READ: During Preschool and Kindergarten class visits, Toddler Time and Preschool Play.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

love all the glasses in this read, i wear them lately to read that is ... so cute. great illustrations. well done!! check it out!! so fun

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebration of librarians, reading and books.

[Cat Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a classic seeming rhyming children's book, but most of my enjoyment inside the book came from its high praise of educators, focusing on librarians. The story talks about how all the children of the neighborhood gather in the library to read, watch movies, and get help on their homework from the nicest person they know, their librarian! The story is average in length, it's not too long and it's not too short, and more importantly it doesn't bombard with information.
The whole book is illustrated by Nancy Speir in darker tones, mostly to convey a calm quiet atmosphere just like a library, and none of the illustrations distract from the story. The last page is an all time favorite of mine now, the story is all about how the librarian teaches and helps the kids, but i the last page the author says 'When it's time to lock the door, she goes right home and reads some more!' As educators, we never stop learning and definitely never stop reading. This book was very nice and appropriate for all students, and hopefully will encourage those stubborn students to visit the library, pick up a book, or even to just get help on schoolwork if they need it.

[Emily Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost regretted picking this book as soon as I got it. My original impression of a charming library-inspired book changed to a fear of a too-technical addition to some misbegotten reading program. But it turns out that first impression was right, because this is one cute book that has more charm and intelligence than the cover reveals.

In simple, sing-song rhyme an anonymous child describes just what his local librarian does for him. It's actually a pretty decent poem that is also educational and takes children through the ins and outs of the library. The illustrations add to the story with familiar references (such as Harry Potter) embedded in.

Yes, this is one of those dreaded "educational" picture books, but I found it quite enjoyable just the same. A fun way to teach the younger ones about the library.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it was clear from the title or cover that this is a book about librarians, as I think it could be easily overlooked without that obvious designation. The book does a decent job of pointing out what librarians do besides read without diminishing the importance of reading to library work. Some will inevitably be offended by the last page where the librarian goes home to read and hang out with her cat, but I don't let things like that bother me.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, rhyming story about librarians, specifically children's librarians. It's a job that I aspire to after I retire from the military, so it was as interesting to me as it was for our girls. It has colorful illustrations and I thought it was very fun to read aloud.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly modern librarian - no bun hairstyle and shhh-ing librarians here. Nice rhyming text describes a lot of what I do each day in the library, especially at the end when she goes home and reads some more!

[Amy Lafleur Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lively and colorful book tells through rhyme many of the different jobs that a librarian does. I liked it a lot until I got to the last page which was became a little too stereotypical for me. Great book nonetheless for helping to explain to kids what it means to be a librarian.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for kindergarten to introduce what a librarian does, although it does simplify it a little bit.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

My recent lay-off had me totally crying through this whole story! Good thing I was not actually doing a storytime at the time!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the illustrations -- text isn't that fantabulous, but I think that kids would enjoy it. Might work well for a book or library story time.

[Lupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how cute. Someone wrote a book about me! Ha ha ha! Seriously though, very cute UP-TO-DATE look at the life of a librarian that is accessible to a very young child.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I love this book- lots of librarian love!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple explanation of what a librarian does.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! Shows the youngest reader what a children's librarian does all day in simple rhyming text. Illustrations are bold with lots of motion. A great book to use for storytime or class visits.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read book about the job of a librarian. Great for young readers.

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

And it's all true!

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for introducing what a librarian does and ways to use the library when working with school groups.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple,rhyming text and bright, colorful illustrations describe what a librarian does. Great to read to a class before a library visit or for a book/library themed story time.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book to read to a PreSchool class visit

[Daisy Plyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for librarians to read to younger children.