Arabella's alphabet adventure by Suzy Zail. Illus. by Christopher Nielsen
On a library shelf in the section designated Especially for children, Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure is unhappy with her lot. Not for her the books around her that have a beginning, middle and end, not for her the stories to entrance children, nor any adult borrowers. Instead she must contend with only being borrowed by the youngest of borrowers, placing their jammy fingers on her pages, scribbling or even worse, tearing pages, while they read one letter at a time. Despite being the most borrowed book in the library, she is unhappy.
She decides to do something and one day while on the returns trolley, she slides herself into the book next to her, a travel guide book about Africa. Here she has the most amazing of adventures: watching lions, viewing crocodiles, sleeping under the twinkling night sky, crossing the river by raft. But not once is she read. What use is a book if no one reads the sentences. She comes to want the comfort of being held by a child, snuggled down in bed, sleeping with the toys and particularly back in the building where she is once again shelved in an area called Especially for children.
Everyone is pleased to see her back: the librarian unsure of where she has been, but pleased she is now in the right place.
Delightful mixed media illustrations show all the great things about books and take readers on an excursion through a library, showing them the shelves, return trolley, toys, sections within the library, especially the one just for younger readers, and seating arrangements. Books of all types take centre stage in Nielsen’s images, showing children the range of books they can expect to see in the library, and what is inside them, the alphabet book a firm favourite.
This wonderful book gives children an introduction to a library and the books held within; it shows what books are about, from alphabet to story books to travel guides. It helps younger readers understand some of the make up of a library, where things are held and why, who borrows and what happens when the books are returned. It shows how books are reshelved and it shows the fun that children can have at the library.
A wholly satisfying look at the library and why it is there, younger readers will thrill at recognising the way books work. And along the way have a marvellous adventure with Arabella, who comes to see that life on the other side of the library is not what she wants after all, that she is happiest just the way she is. Activities are available in Walker Books Story Time kit. A book trailer is also available.
Themes: Contentment, Libraries, Books, Reading, Adventure, Africa.
Fran Knight