By Kazuno Kohara
Roaring Brook Press, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59643-985-6
This is a story about a library that opens only at night. A little librarian works there with three assistant owls, helping animals find the perfect book. It's a quiet library, except when a band of squirrels decided to play their music. Thankfully, the little librarian showed them the activity room, where they could play their music without disturbing everyone. Then, the little librarian had to deal with rain in the library! It turns out it was just wolf crying so much because her book was sad. The little librarian took her to the story time room where they read a happy book. When the sun came up, it was time for the library to close. There is always a straggler, and tortoise didn't want to leave because he hadn't finished his book. Being a good librarian, the little librarian signed tortoise up for a library card, checked out his book to him, and he left very happy. After closing the library, the little librarian and her three owls read a bedtime story just perfect for drifting off to sleep.
This book is wonderful, and I'm not just saying that because it's about a library and librarian (although, it does give this book high bonus points, in my humble opinion). The story is cute, and would work great in a number of story time themes (library/books, nighttime/bedtime, or animals). What really makes this book distinctive are the illustrations. I'm a big fan of Kazuno Kohara and read her book Ghosts in the House! every year at my library Halloween Party. Her illustrations employ a delightful color palette, which enrich the story and represent the midnight setting perfectly. From the goldenrod color of the animals and background, to the dark blue for the books and sky, to the bold black outlines, they blend together beautifully. A cozy story, The Midnight Library is a great pick to share with your little ones.
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