When two young readers reach for the same book at the library, they set off on a charming romp through the stacks in this rambunctious and endearing picture book.
Sunny and Aarush both love to read. In fact, it is their favorite thing. For Aarush, a book is like a refuge for when you want to be alone. For Sunny, a book is like a companion that keeps you from being lonely. There is only one problem: they are best friends with the same book, and neither wants to share.
Clearly, one of them will have to find something else to read—but maybe they’ll discover something even better along the way. Could it be sharing is the best part of reading and friendship?
Robin Robinson makes picture books and graphic novels for kids while living in a house that looks like someone threw a Halloween party in a library but forgot to clean up afterward. Robin likes both robots and rodents very much.
Robin Robinson makes picture books and graphic novels for kids while living in a house that looks like someone threw a Halloween party in a library but forgot to clean up afterward. Robin likes both robots and rodents very much.
"Robinson, in words and art, shows the children taking apart just how the book makes them feel, and through communication, they discover that the friendship at the heart of the book is something they can share in real life. This sigh-worthy ending is one that every reader will cheer for, and the illustrations, showing absolute wall after wall of bookshelves, are an endless delight.
VERDICT The comfort of books is well known but perhaps never tackled so resolutely. The children here are relatable and never precocious, keeping the argument civilized, sincere, and for readers, too, win-win."
— School Library Journal
"This picture book is an obvious homage to the ways literature can fulfill and inspire us, but the narrative’s resolution and setting within a bustling public library lend nuance to this theme, suggesting that, beyond its individual attributes, a book can also serve as a gateway to new communities and connections. The story’s parallel structure—the developing friendship between the protagonists mirroring their favorite book’s plot—thoughtfully demonstrates that what appeals to readers can often reflect the social and emotional needs not being met in our day-to-day lives. Robinson’s iconic character design and crisp digital illustrations grant a sleek, modern feel to an otherwise quaint story, and young children will delight in the lively pace and endearing characters."
— BCCB
"Each child’s efforts to persuade the other to choose a different tome are in vain, but a bookish epiphany brings about a shared happy ending for all. Sprightly digital illustrations capture the bustling activity in a public library, with families gathering for storytime, students studying, and people of all ages browsing the shelves. Check out this sweetly astute story about the deep connections readers make with books and with kindred readers."
— Booklist
"The gracefully composed illustrations—peppered with speech bubbles, rendered in a muted palette, and alternating effectively between full spreads and vignettes...[offer] warm looks at the two characters’ worlds, which are so different and yet each child is seeking the same thing—a friend."
— Kirkus ReviewsÂ
"As the kids suggest alternate titles for each other, empathy and friendship blossom, and the two realize they can share the book during their library visit. Earnest and moving, with thin-lined scenes in green, orange, and teal that affirm the variously diverse library-going community, the story underscores the many roles that books can play, including modeling compassion, understanding, and connection."
— Publishers Weekly
