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Delilah D. At the Library
A determined (not to say willful) child, Delilah tells everyone she’s the queen of a faraway land where she makes all the rules. When she goes to the library, however, Library Anne is there with her own no climbing, no running, no singing, and above all, no cupcakes. But in the libraries in her land, Delilah says, running and climbing are allowed, and cupcakes and doughnuts are provided. Clearly, Library Anne doesn’t know the first thing about how to run a library!
When this lively battle of wills has run its course, Library Anne is dreaming about becoming an astronaut—and Delilah D. has a library book to take home. In her land, of course, everyone reads upside down.
With bright, comical illustrations, including open-out gatefold pages, this extra-big picture book will captivate any child who has ever considered breaking the rules.
When this lively battle of wills has run its course, Library Anne is dreaming about becoming an astronaut—and Delilah D. has a library book to take home. In her land, of course, everyone reads upside down.
With bright, comical illustrations, including open-out gatefold pages, this extra-big picture book will captivate any child who has ever considered breaking the rules.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2006
70 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Willis
482 books115 followersJeanne Willis was born in St Albans and trained as an advertising copywriter at Watford College. She worked for various agencies creating press adverts and TV, cinema and radio commercials. She is now a full-time writer and has published over 80 books. Her hobbies include gardening, reading (non-fiction), natural history and collecting caterpillars. Jeanne has also worked on scripts for TV, including POLLY POCKET and THE SLOW NORRIS, and a pilot TV series for DR XARGLE. She lives in North London with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 30, 2017
This book seemed to give off mixed messges to me. Delilah is portrayed as a child with a vivid imagination--she thinks she is really from a far away land. Ok, this makes her an individual. Then her babysitter takes her to the library. I guess the author is trying to portray Delilah as being an imaginative individual at the library, but I also see a kid who doesn't know how to behave in the library. Perhaps it's her first time there. Maybe she doesn't know how to read, because she seems to see the library as a playground and a book as a toy (no kid I know of reads a book upside down). I'm just not sure what this author is trying to say. Perhaps I missed something...
February 28, 2008
Delilah D is convinced she is from a faraway land...she simply cannot have been born right here. Right here is boring and plain and common, where Delilah is from (somewhere between Jafrica and Smindia) Delilah is Queen and her life is all together more regal. Take, for instance, the rules of her home library: cupcakes and doughnuts for everyone, books on the 'too high' shelf are retrieved by trapeze, and princesses read stories until everyone falls asleep. Sounds great to me! This is the perfect book for all those little princesses. (Its a sure fire hit with my favorite 5 year old reviewer)
October 29, 2017
Delilah D at the Library by Jeanne Willis was a very cute book. Delilah D has such a great imagination. At times it seemed that the things she was doing were a bit annoying to the librarian, but everyone else at the library definitely enjoyed her quirkiness. Also, even though this library was not like the one in her far away land, she still enjoyed herself and even took home a book which I thought was great.
As a teacher, I think this book could go either good or bad. On one hand, it’s imaginative and could promote the library and reading. On the other hand, Delilah D shows some pretty sporadic behavior and is disruptive in the library. This book could be used as a tool to discuss acceptable and unacceptable behaviors while in the library.
As a teacher, I think this book could go either good or bad. On one hand, it’s imaginative and could promote the library and reading. On the other hand, Delilah D shows some pretty sporadic behavior and is disruptive in the library. This book could be used as a tool to discuss acceptable and unacceptable behaviors while in the library.
November 3, 2018
Read this book at story time having been talking about libraries with the children earlier in in the day, it’s imaginative story line did capture their attention and the occasional humour amused me as I read it but seemed to go over their heads - possibly more for older children so they could enjoy the humour too.
Illustrations are lovely and it does provoke discussion about libraries which is great, particularly in our digital era when books can easily be viewed on e readers and kindles etc! We should promote and continue to promote library visits!
Illustrations are lovely and it does provoke discussion about libraries which is great, particularly in our digital era when books can easily be viewed on e readers and kindles etc! We should promote and continue to promote library visits!
April 27, 2014
This is a song that Delilah sings:
"Hoorray for Queen Delilah,
so beautiful so brave,
Hurrah for Queen Delilah,
the kingdom she will save,
oh shout hoorah! oh shout hooray!
shout out loud and strong
hooray for Queen Delilah D.
who wrote this lovely song!
tra-la!"
Library Anne says "I wish I lived far, far away, Please stop singing!"
I thought this was funny.
"Hoorray for Queen Delilah,
so beautiful so brave,
Hurrah for Queen Delilah,
the kingdom she will save,
oh shout hoorah! oh shout hooray!
shout out loud and strong
hooray for Queen Delilah D.
who wrote this lovely song!
tra-la!"
Library Anne says "I wish I lived far, far away, Please stop singing!"
I thought this was funny.
February 28, 2016
A picture book with jokes for the adults, hooray! Loved how au pair became 'Old Pear' and librarian became 'Library Anne'. The heroine has spunk and the illustrations of her reminded me of Tony Ross's similarly feisty princess in I Want My Potty!. Puts the magic back in libraries.
August 27, 2016
Imaginative yet annoying girl. I wouldn't want to be in the library at the same time as her.
October 20, 2025
I loved this book! It was so cute, the illustrations were fun, and the rhyme scheme throughout the book was amazing. I would definitely put this in my classroom library for my kids to read and would absolutely use this as a read aloud in my classroom. I would put this book in a 2nd-5th grade library.
April 7, 2021
Best part of it was the ongoing "Library Anne" joke. Going to use that one once I'm officially a librarian!
March 30, 2022
Delightfully silly.
September 30, 2025
I thought this book was so interesting and the storyline was very cute when Delilah has her own imagination and I think kids would really like this book because of the imagination and illustrations.
October 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book
May 28, 2015
Booklist February 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 11)
Delilah likes to tell everyone that she is from a land far, far away. When she is at the library, "Library Anne"tries to help her find a book about this mystical place, which Delilah reveals is somewhere between Jafrica and Smindia. This British import starts off well enough, but Delilah, an Eloise-like character, eventually grows a bit wearying, and it's too bad Library Anne veers off into stereotype mode as she continually admonishes Delilah to stop shouting and running. On the other hand, anyone who has ever worked in a children's room can see where Anne is coming from. What will attract kids are the candy-colored pages showing children reading books and using computers and Delilah's love of books. Michelle Knudsen also takes children to the library in her Library Lion (2006).
Horn Book Guide Fall 2007
On a trip to the library, book-loving Delilah explains how things are different in the faraway (make-believe) land she rules. There the library offers free cupcakes, and a trapeze helps patrons reach too-high books. The wordy text is accompanied by pink- and purple-heavy colored-pencil, ink, and collage illustrations. Delilah's antics get a bit wearying, but her observations are imaginative.
Kirkus Reviews March 1, 2007
Delilah D., a precocious preschooler, insists that she's the queen of a distant country. Despite her mother's denials, Delilah firmly asserts that where she comes from, things are different. Just how different is detailed during Delilah's trip to the library with her younger brother and her babysitter. A land where libraries feature free doughnuts doesn't sound half bad, but Delilah's disruptive behavior will undoubtedly bring adult readers back to earth with a thud. From climbing up the bookshelves to singing very loudly, Delilah draws attention, but the patient "Library Anne" continues to cope. The babysitter, by the way, is exceedingly true to life--she spends her time at the library emailing her boyfriend. Sprawling colored pencil, ink and collage illustrations keep the focus squarely on Delilah, whether she's parading through her spacious home, sharing a made-up map of her country in a fold-out page or cavorting in the bright, cheerful library. While her antics may be amusingly familiar for parents and librarians, it's less clear how much kids will enjoy the arch humor. (Picture book. 5-8)
School Library Journal March 1, 2007
K-Gr 2-Delilah D. is convinced that she is the queen of a faraway land. Her prosaic mother insists that she is from "here," whereas her father is too busy to ask. When the new au pair takes Delilah and her little brother to the library, Gigi parks herself at a computer, leaving "Library Anne" to supervise the children. Delilah shouts, runs, climbs shelves, etc., all the while insisting that that's what's done in the libraries where she is truly from. Library Anne is depicted as part babysitter, part rule-making spoiler, and although Reeve puts her in pink polka dots and fishnet stockings, she is merely a slightly updated version of the old stereotype. Exuberant, quirky children are better captured by Lauren Child's "Charlie and Lola" titles (Dial), and there are any number of picture books that depict libraries as exciting places that don't need unsupervised children to enliven them.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Delilah likes to tell everyone that she is from a land far, far away. When she is at the library, "Library Anne"tries to help her find a book about this mystical place, which Delilah reveals is somewhere between Jafrica and Smindia. This British import starts off well enough, but Delilah, an Eloise-like character, eventually grows a bit wearying, and it's too bad Library Anne veers off into stereotype mode as she continually admonishes Delilah to stop shouting and running. On the other hand, anyone who has ever worked in a children's room can see where Anne is coming from. What will attract kids are the candy-colored pages showing children reading books and using computers and Delilah's love of books. Michelle Knudsen also takes children to the library in her Library Lion (2006).
Horn Book Guide Fall 2007
On a trip to the library, book-loving Delilah explains how things are different in the faraway (make-believe) land she rules. There the library offers free cupcakes, and a trapeze helps patrons reach too-high books. The wordy text is accompanied by pink- and purple-heavy colored-pencil, ink, and collage illustrations. Delilah's antics get a bit wearying, but her observations are imaginative.
Kirkus Reviews March 1, 2007
Delilah D., a precocious preschooler, insists that she's the queen of a distant country. Despite her mother's denials, Delilah firmly asserts that where she comes from, things are different. Just how different is detailed during Delilah's trip to the library with her younger brother and her babysitter. A land where libraries feature free doughnuts doesn't sound half bad, but Delilah's disruptive behavior will undoubtedly bring adult readers back to earth with a thud. From climbing up the bookshelves to singing very loudly, Delilah draws attention, but the patient "Library Anne" continues to cope. The babysitter, by the way, is exceedingly true to life--she spends her time at the library emailing her boyfriend. Sprawling colored pencil, ink and collage illustrations keep the focus squarely on Delilah, whether she's parading through her spacious home, sharing a made-up map of her country in a fold-out page or cavorting in the bright, cheerful library. While her antics may be amusingly familiar for parents and librarians, it's less clear how much kids will enjoy the arch humor. (Picture book. 5-8)
School Library Journal March 1, 2007
K-Gr 2-Delilah D. is convinced that she is the queen of a faraway land. Her prosaic mother insists that she is from "here," whereas her father is too busy to ask. When the new au pair takes Delilah and her little brother to the library, Gigi parks herself at a computer, leaving "Library Anne" to supervise the children. Delilah shouts, runs, climbs shelves, etc., all the while insisting that that's what's done in the libraries where she is truly from. Library Anne is depicted as part babysitter, part rule-making spoiler, and although Reeve puts her in pink polka dots and fishnet stockings, she is merely a slightly updated version of the old stereotype. Exuberant, quirky children are better captured by Lauren Child's "Charlie and Lola" titles (Dial), and there are any number of picture books that depict libraries as exciting places that don't need unsupervised children to enliven them.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2012
This is a fun story about a little girl with a big imagination who is unafraid to express her opinions. While her behavior in the library was less than stellar, it isn't all that uncommon for a young child to want to climb or sing or eat, etc. and this is a good way to help demonstrate proper and improper behavior. It would be a great story to read aloud to a young crowd at a library storytime and we also enjoyed reading it together.
Read
September 8, 2014Willis, J. (2006). Delilah. d at the library. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Picture Book Soak
This book follows Delilah who is a self proclaimed queen as she goes to the library with her babysitter. She learns that you cannot eat, shout, or run in the library. I think this book has wonderful illustrations that show the different rules of the library (being broken). I would use this book this book at the beginning of the year to set library expectations with my students.
Picture Book Soak
This book follows Delilah who is a self proclaimed queen as she goes to the library with her babysitter. She learns that you cannot eat, shout, or run in the library. I think this book has wonderful illustrations that show the different rules of the library (being broken). I would use this book this book at the beginning of the year to set library expectations with my students.
January 19, 2012
This book includes wonderful pictures that grabs any readers attention. The story line also is very intriguing discovering where exactly Delilah believes she comes from all while learning different ways in which we should behave when we visit places that are not our homes.
October 22, 2007
This is a humorous book that kids as well as adults will enjoy. "Cupcakes! Blankets! Toys! That's how to run a library." Who doesn't agree with that?
October 23, 2007
I enjoyed this book too!!
What a great idea.
What a great idea.
April 8, 2008
Jeanne Willis had me at Tadpole's Promise. Seriously. But Delilah D. is a lovely little story that is really fun to read!
September 27, 2008
I don't like the way that librarians and libraries are portrayed in this book. Delilah D. is a spunky, spoiled child with a wild imagination.
March 2, 2010
Deliah D is convinced that she is from somewhere "far far away" although all of the adults around her try to tell her otherwise. (silly adults)
Read
November 17, 2022I work at a pre-school and I have no idea how many times I have been asked to read this. The kids love it!
March 27, 2011
Not sure that I want to encourage this in Annalise, but she loves it.
August 20, 2011
info lit class
kind of - bizarrely, dreamy "how to act" at the library
fun colors, variety of text
kind of - bizarrely, dreamy "how to act" at the library
fun colors, variety of text
August 11, 2011
Delilah thinks the library should have cupcakes and a trapeze.
September 9, 2012
Delilah likes to pretend that she is the queen from far, far away and her sister takes her to the library. A.R.
July 6, 2013
A little strange but love how much Delilah celebrates the idea of the library as a place for whimsy and play and magical moments.
June 2, 2015
a book about a girl and her great imagination
Want to read
January 22, 2016girls, reading , imagination
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews