Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't)

An extremely grouchy first-grader, with no interest in reading or books, Missy tolerates (just barely) her librarian's colorful reading circle, but resists any effort to convince her of the charms of story, and of the written word. "I want you to get as excited about books as I am," says Miss Brooks at one point, dressed up as the caterpillar from Eric Carle's classic picture-book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. "I think Miss Brooks gets a little too excited,' is Missy's silent response. But when the dreaded Book Week, in which each student must choose a book and act it out for the other children, draws near, Missy finds herself, despite her expressed reluctance, sent home with plenty of books. Will any of them succeed in cracking her shell, or will she go on being a bibliophobe?

I enjoyed this tale of an extremely enthusiastic and committed librarian, and the young patron who poses such a challenge to her. I liked the message, delivered with no didactic display, that different stories appeal to different readers, and thought that Michael Emberley's cartoonish illustrations really captured the humor and fun of the story. Miss Brooks' costumes were all quite amusing, although the aforementioned caterpillar was probably my favorite! I also really appreciated the brief scenes involving Missy's artist mother, whose succinct responses to her daughters complaints and requests - "I've already been in the first grade," she says, when requested to do the assignment for Missy - had me chuckling.

All in all, Miss Brooks Loves Books! (And I Don't) is a most engaging book, full of humor and fun, and with a very satisfactory ending that is robbed of none of its appeal by being not entirely unexpected. ( )

Missy is convinced that she will never love books the way her librarian does. As Miss Brooks offers up one book after another, Missy resists them all. Ultimately, it is Missy's mother who comes up with the idea for "Shrek" after Missy decides she wants to read a book involving warts, but Miss Brooks is there to celebrate right along with her. Michael Emberly's lively illustrations are just right, and kids will appreciate the humor throughout. Sure to break through to even the most reluctant young readers. ( )

A librarian with an infectious enthusiasm for reading. ( )

Beginning readers will love this book about a girl who is sure that she will never love books as much as her librarian, Miss Brooks. She finally finds one she does like, to the delight of all. Beginning readers who don't like to read will be able to relate to the main character and will enjoy the book immensely.

The theme of this book centers on building a lifelong love of reading. It reminds both young and old readers alike that reading is for everyone. It also emphasizes to younger students that book selection is key. Books that are a "good fit" should be not too easy and not too hard to read and also should be of personal interest to the reader. This book could easily be used in correlation with a lesson in how to select a "good fit" book for independent reading. It could also prompt classroom discussions about our favorite books we like to read and why.