Alfonso and Abuela love to spend Saturday afternoons finding books at the library and reading them together beneath their favorite oak tree. But when their beloved tree is cut down, can Alfonso transform the stump into something magical for their whole community—their very own neighborhood library?
This uplifting story from award-winning poet Lissette Norman and illustrator Jayri Gómez shows us how to turn an unexpected setback into a happy ending: one with a beautiful sky-blue door and shelves filled with books for everyone to enjoy.---from the publisher
32 pages 978-0063067530 Ages 4-8
Keywords: library, reading, books, trees, grandmother, community, Hispanic and Latino, power of positive thinking, Little Free Library, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old
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Alfonso goes to the library every week with Abuela (his grandmother). She loves books, and was, in fact, a librarian. She believes that there is no such thing as too many books. Abuela and Alfonso sit under their favorite tree and read each week.
The power company must cut down their tree as it is leaning and will cause major problems. Both of them are sad to see their tree go until...Alfonso asks if they can use the tree stump to build a library inside. The entire family helps and soon, there is a cute library where neighborhood kids can come and take or leave books.
Making something positive for the good of the community out of what could have been a dismal experience is Alfonso's superpower. When he sees all the kids reading, he decides he will become a librarian, too.
A sweet story about a grandmother's love of reading and the time she spends with her grandson is wonderful. There is no mention of Little Free Libraries or the program or how to build one in your neighborhood. I feel this is a page that needed to be included, and the publisher clearly missed an opportunity to support a wonderful program.
32 pages 978-0063067530 Ages 4-8
Recommended by: Pamela Thompson McLeod, Teacher Librarian, Blogger, Florida USA
See more of her recommendations:
http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/