The Little Street Library

By Amy Adeney & Erin McClean

Reviewed by  Mia Macrossan

Street libraries have become very popular in Australia and they are a common sight in the major cities. In Australia there is an organisation where you can buy a little library to set up in your street or get instructions on how to build your own. They even provide a map which shows other street libraries in your area, (provided it has been registered). So it is no surprise that here is a story about two friends, Rafi and Leo who have their very own street library, built by Leo out of an old birdhouse.

When Leo moves away Rafi wonders who will now share her love of reading and who will contribute to the library? She has an idea and while it takes a bit of effort, a lot of patience and some parental help, the little birdhouse library is transformed into the Library of Amazingness, ready for sharing with the whole neighbourhood. Practically everyone in the street responds with something different to add to the library. When Rafi goes to choose a book for story time, ‘most of the ones she had put inside were gone, and in their place was a new collection. Fables of adventure and friendship, tales of the past and the future’.

Erin McClean has created appealling characters appearing in many different scenes, each expressing an instantly recognizable emotion. A  bright colour palette and traditional textures combine with Amy Adeneys restrained and simple text to make the story immediately accessible to readers.

Young children reading this charming paean to reading and libraries will learn about many different kinds of books which can include gardening manuals, romance novels, fairytales, cookbooks, picture books, comics, mysteries, pet guides, board books and teen magazines – all of which appeared in Rafi’s Library of Amazingness.

Affirm Press 2024

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