#blogbookaday: If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t!

Summary: “If you see a poster that says “You Can Do Anything at the Library!”, it is NOT giving you permission to put on a circus! But Magnolia doesn’t see any problem with setting up her own big top. She’s got a lot of gusto and one mean human cannonball routine. So what if her greatest show on Earth won’t fit between the bookshelves? Elise Parsley’s boldly expressive illustrations perfectly complement this mostly-librarian-approved guide on how to be everything BUT quiet in the library!” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: Magnolia knows all about the library rules, but she’s sure that her circus won’t be a problem… until there’s no clapping and cheering, no concessions and her human canon seems to not be working. That’s when the booing starts. Can Magnolia find a way to stop the booing and distract her audience? The fun illustrations and change in text font will have the kids paying close attention and giggling throughout this fun story.

Personal Reaction: I can never pass up the chance to read a picture book about libraries and I adored this funny book! First, I love that the children’s librarian at the public library was what looks like a younger guy – not an little old lady with glasses and a cardigan! Plus, I love the way Magnolia learns the library’s rules in her own special way. And I completely appreciated the author info on the inside flap of the dust jacket where she states, “…which just like all libraries, is always the perfect amount of noisy.” Public libraries today aren’t the dusty, dark and silent places most people assume – they’re active, busy, bright places where the community gathers, which means that yes, at times it does get noisy!

Title: If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t!
Author: Elise Parsley
Illustrator: Elise Parsley
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2, 2017

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!