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"Librarian on the Roof!" by M.G. King

Author:

M.G. King

Publisher:

Albert Whitman & Company

LIBRARIAN ON THE ROOF!  A TRUE STORY

Written by M.G. King

Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin

Reviewed by Jane Matusinec, St. Leonard School Library, Muskego, WI

Everyone’s heard the phrase, “Don’t mess with Texas!”  Well, don’t mess with RoseAleta Laurell, librarian at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas.  She’ll do whatever it takes to make Texas’ oldest library the cultural center of her town once again.

When Ms. Laurell takes over as director, she discovers the library has become old, dusty and much too quiet.  Lockhart’s children have found other pastimes. To draw the youngsters back to the library, she envisions a children’s section with computers, comfy chairs, colorful artwork and lots of new books.  She writes letters to important people and marches in a parade to draw attention to the library’s plight, but is unsuccessful in raising money. RoseAleta decides to do something drastic to get the town’s attention--she lives on the library roof!  For one week, Ms. Laurell lives “up, up, up, fifty feet up!”  Nothing can bring Ms. Laurell down from the rooftop—not criticism from the town leaders, not even stormy weather. She doesn’t come down until the town raises enough money to fix up the library. In fact, they raise $40,000-- twice as much as her goal.

Children will love the true story of how this determined woman wakes up a sleepy town to the importance of books in children’s lives.  Stephen Gilpin’s lively, colorful and exaggerated artwork depicts Ms. Laurell as the larger-than-life character she truly is.  The double-page spread showing her ascent to the top of the library is enough to make you dizzy.  The author’s simple text will appeal to children ages 6 – 9.    Teachers could use this inspiring and humorous account to get kids thinking about fighting for worthy causes.  And who knows?  The story might motivate cash-strapped librarians everywhere to take to the rooftops!

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