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Please, Louise
A library card unlocks a new life for a young girl in this picture book about the power of imagination, from the Nobel Prize–winning author Toni Morrison.
On one gray afternoon, Louise makes a fateful trip to the library. With the help of a new library card and through the transformative power of books, what started out as a dull day turns into one of surprises, ideas, and fun, fun, fun!
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Toni Morrison’s experience working in a library as a young girl, this engaging picture book celebrates the wonders of reading, the enchanting capacity of the imagination, and, of course, the splendor of libraries.
On one gray afternoon, Louise makes a fateful trip to the library. With the help of a new library card and through the transformative power of books, what started out as a dull day turns into one of surprises, ideas, and fun, fun, fun!
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Toni Morrison’s experience working in a library as a young girl, this engaging picture book celebrates the wonders of reading, the enchanting capacity of the imagination, and, of course, the splendor of libraries.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Toni Morrison
242 books24.5k followersChloe Anthony Wofford Morrison, known as Toni Morrison, was an American novelist and editor. Her first novel, The Bluest Eye, was published in 1970. The critically acclaimed Song of Solomon (1977) brought her national attention and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 1988, Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved (1987); she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
Born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a B.A. in English. Morrison earned a master's degree in American Literature from Cornell University in 1955. In 1957 she returned to Howard University, was married, and had two children before divorcing in 1964. Morrison became the first black female editor for fiction at Random House in New York City in the late 1960s. She developed her own reputation as an author in the 1970s and '80s. Her novel Beloved was made into a film in 1998. Morrison's works are praised for addressing the harsh consequences of racism in the United States and the Black American experience.
The National Endowment for the Humanities selected Morrison for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities, in 1996. She was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters the same year. President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 29, 2012. She received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2016. Morrison was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.
Born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a B.A. in English. Morrison earned a master's degree in American Literature from Cornell University in 1955. In 1957 she returned to Howard University, was married, and had two children before divorcing in 1964. Morrison became the first black female editor for fiction at Random House in New York City in the late 1960s. She developed her own reputation as an author in the 1970s and '80s. Her novel Beloved was made into a film in 1998. Morrison's works are praised for addressing the harsh consequences of racism in the United States and the Black American experience.
The National Endowment for the Humanities selected Morrison for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities, in 1996. She was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters the same year. President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 29, 2012. She received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2016. Morrison was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 17, 2021
I understand the message the author was trying to convey, but the execution was all wrong. Too heavy and dark in the beginning and the book ends strangely in my opinion. Also a new library card was not mentioned anywhere in the story, but is mentioned in the description. Really did not care for this one at all.
August 20, 2020
Featured in grandma reads session. . . .
This is about the magic of books, of libraries as keepers of books, and books as the keepers of information. Information that can turn eyes that see a grey day will return to one that is sunny; that can help change fear of something unknown into a love for something that becomes known. Information of all types and stripes come from all kinds of books. . .that has the greatest power in the entire world: how to change your mind.
So much truth.
5 stars.
This is about the magic of books, of libraries as keepers of books, and books as the keepers of information. Information that can turn eyes that see a grey day will return to one that is sunny; that can help change fear of something unknown into a love for something that becomes known. Information of all types and stripes come from all kinds of books. . .that has the greatest power in the entire world: how to change your mind.
So much truth.
5 stars.
October 3, 2014
The illustrations are beautiful, but this story just didn't quite work for me as a whole, even though I really wanted/expected it to because of the author. Parts of it worked well, but the complete overall story arc didn't quite connect enough for me. I appreciate what was trying to be done, but I don't feel like that message came across clearly enough, and I didn't quite get the ending. The repetition almost hindered the story in this case, and the writing at times confused me.
March 6, 2014
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
I wanted to love this book because, hey, Toni Morrison, but there are some...complications. The beginning of the book depicts Louise, a girl dressed in a rain coat heading to an undisclosed location. We are told that she is "sometimes lonely or sometimes sad" but the narrator offers uplifting (but not poetically pleasing) reassurances to her uncertainties with the world. The artwork is dark and oftentimes scary, perhaps allowing the listener to see what Louise sees. However, I think the scary situations layer themselves and might evoke too much fear in the listener, especially with this line, "Is that a bird of prey from which you'd better run?"
Louise finally reaches her destination: a library! The illustrations brighten and we finally see a relaxed smile on Louise. This next observation is truly picky, but I was a little confused to see Louise first looking at the older kids section, but then we see her lying on the ground with picture books. How old is she? That being said, the perspective audience of this book is a little hard to pin down. The repetition in the beginning is lovely, but better suited for a younger audience. But the scary scenes are best suited to an older audience.
The book has a sweet ending with horribly executed writing, leaving you with an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Oh, Toni, I know this was dedicated to librarians and I wish there weren't these shortcomings! But, alas.
One final note: she does not receive a new library card, as the description says. Perhaps there was a lot of (unfortunate) editing with this picture book...
I wanted to love this book because, hey, Toni Morrison, but there are some...complications. The beginning of the book depicts Louise, a girl dressed in a rain coat heading to an undisclosed location. We are told that she is "sometimes lonely or sometimes sad" but the narrator offers uplifting (but not poetically pleasing) reassurances to her uncertainties with the world. The artwork is dark and oftentimes scary, perhaps allowing the listener to see what Louise sees. However, I think the scary situations layer themselves and might evoke too much fear in the listener, especially with this line, "Is that a bird of prey from which you'd better run?"
Louise finally reaches her destination: a library! The illustrations brighten and we finally see a relaxed smile on Louise. This next observation is truly picky, but I was a little confused to see Louise first looking at the older kids section, but then we see her lying on the ground with picture books. How old is she? That being said, the perspective audience of this book is a little hard to pin down. The repetition in the beginning is lovely, but better suited for a younger audience. But the scary scenes are best suited to an older audience.
The book has a sweet ending with horribly executed writing, leaving you with an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Oh, Toni, I know this was dedicated to librarians and I wish there weren't these shortcomings! But, alas.
One final note: she does not receive a new library card, as the description says. Perhaps there was a lot of (unfortunate) editing with this picture book...
August 22, 2014
What a 'meh' story. The text has the potential to be of interest, but focuses on details that I can't imagine most children finding fascinating. "Scary thoughts are your creation/ When you have no information." The rhymes don't feel at all poetic, we don't know why Louise would be lonely or sad, and while any librarian can support the premise of finding refuge and joy in books and libraries, there are so many books that do this better. The illustrations serve the text - no fault there, and they show how Louise sees her world differently as her outlook improves, but they can't really lift the book beyond mediocre.
October 5, 2023
“Imagination is an open door.
Step in here and let it soar.”
“These books are loyal friends, helping you explore, dream, discover, think, learn, and know much, much more”
Children’s books will fill me with a warm feeling, and I am always grateful for them.
I always knew that Toni Morrison is an excellent writer so the writing in this book was what made it good!!
This book has a great message about the power of books, and the illustrations were full of imagination. I am sure children and adults will have a lovely journey with Louise.
Step in here and let it soar.”
“These books are loyal friends, helping you explore, dream, discover, think, learn, and know much, much more”
Children’s books will fill me with a warm feeling, and I am always grateful for them.
I always knew that Toni Morrison is an excellent writer so the writing in this book was what made it good!!
This book has a great message about the power of books, and the illustrations were full of imagination. I am sure children and adults will have a lovely journey with Louise.
August 8, 2018
Beautiful book about the magic of reading.
March 15, 2014
A little girl, afraid of the world and with an imagination that leaves her feeling scared, visits a library. She discovers the joy of reading and sees the world as a bright and joyful place. "She can understand what she feels, since books can teach and please Louise."
I know a lot of people are excited about a picture book by Toni Morrison. This is a good but not outstanding picture book that's best for preschool through first grade.
I know a lot of people are excited about a picture book by Toni Morrison. This is a good but not outstanding picture book that's best for preschool through first grade.
March 3, 2014
A good message in an unfortunately poorly written book. Strickland's appealing illustrations provide some relief.
August 5, 2016
What is not to love about this book? An ode to reading and libraries that uplifted the sagging corners of my cynical heart.
February 2, 2017
Cute picture book. My kids loved it.
March 20, 2023
Geeze Louise is more like it. Just read to my grandson, and sorry, I don’t get it. You SHOULD be wary of strangers, especially a little girl whose passing by alone where a homeless man, abandoned cars, junkyards, run-down houses, stray dogs, etc. are! I get what the authors are trying to convey, don’t be so afraid that you can’t enjoy life, but GEEZE LOUISE!, she’s a little girl alone in an obviously super sketchy neighborhood!!!! She should be cautious and NOT walk to the library alone! Reads like a manual on how to get kidnapped/mauled/worse.
October 4, 2023
I know I know “children's book” aren’t you old enough for that? That’s what I thought too. But it touched my heart sooo hard and I just fell in love with everything about it: the illustration, the words, the idea!! I would go back in time and let shouq the child read it; she would be grateful for that.
April 7, 2020
A beautiful love story about the magic and wonder of libraries. TM dedicated this to librarians everywhere.
The line "Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information" made me put the book down and think. Even in her children's stories, TM is brilliant and thought-provoking.
The line "Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information" made me put the book down and think. Even in her children's stories, TM is brilliant and thought-provoking.
October 27, 2019
"scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information" - this to me is a message to the white community and how they need to work on their fear of Blackness. This makes the argument that through books maybe you could learn to understand what you are feeling. loved seeing the reviews below and how most folks did not get the memo...
July 26, 2014
One comes to this book with high expectations given the mother/son author team combined with the wonderful artistic talents of illustrator Shadra Strickland. It was only the illustrations, however, that didn’t disappoint me.
Louise is a little girl who gets some advice from an unnamed adult, who assures her that “If you are sometimes lonely or sometimes sad, know that the world is big but not so bad.” Louise may be frightened, but “Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information.”
Louise is directed to a place she can count on to find out about the world - the public library: “Here is shelter from any storm. In this place you are never alone. These books are loyal friends, helping you explore, dream, discover, think, learn, and know much, much more.”
Louise leaves the library with a wagon full of books and she is smiling:
"Fear and sadness - where did they go?
Louise doesn’t care. Louise doesn’t know.”
Evaluation: I found the quality of the verse to be very disappointing. In addition, the message conveyed won’t please all parents, who might like their children to exercise caution when they don’t know if, for example, a dog or a person on the street or an abandoned car or house - all of which Louise passes by on her journey - may in fact represent dangers that should not be explored. But the watercolor-and-gouache paintings by Shadra Strickland are adorable.
Rating: 2.5/5
Louise is a little girl who gets some advice from an unnamed adult, who assures her that “If you are sometimes lonely or sometimes sad, know that the world is big but not so bad.” Louise may be frightened, but “Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information.”
Louise is directed to a place she can count on to find out about the world - the public library: “Here is shelter from any storm. In this place you are never alone. These books are loyal friends, helping you explore, dream, discover, think, learn, and know much, much more.”
Louise leaves the library with a wagon full of books and she is smiling:
"Fear and sadness - where did they go?
Louise doesn’t care. Louise doesn’t know.”
Evaluation: I found the quality of the verse to be very disappointing. In addition, the message conveyed won’t please all parents, who might like their children to exercise caution when they don’t know if, for example, a dog or a person on the street or an abandoned car or house - all of which Louise passes by on her journey - may in fact represent dangers that should not be explored. But the watercolor-and-gouache paintings by Shadra Strickland are adorable.
Rating: 2.5/5
March 11, 2014
I wanted to like this book more because, hey! Libraries! but this book starts out with such scary, dark undertones. I get what the author/illustrator is trying to do, to showcase the library as a vessel for escaping and for knowledge, but I feel like this type of sentiment could be expressed in a better way, in a different story.
And also, it's in the dreaded half-rhyme scheme, which doesn't make sense to me. Some stanzas rhyme, and some don't, and it throws the whole rhythm off.
Also, the description above, not at all reflective of the story this book tells.
And also, it's in the dreaded half-rhyme scheme, which doesn't make sense to me. Some stanzas rhyme, and some don't, and it throws the whole rhythm off.
Also, the description above, not at all reflective of the story this book tells.
August 26, 2018
The story begins with a small girl who is frightened of shadows and has a glass half empty perspective. Then, as she arrives at her local Public Library, her small dark lonely world is gloriously expanded by the world of books, and her perspective changes to one of wonder and delight. After all, books make the best companions, expand our thinking, deepen our knowledge, encourage us to dream and provide an escape from reality, through the boundless imagination of others.
July 13, 2014
Loved the illustrations, but the plot arc and use of title phrase was not satisfying. The final page really didn't work for me. Sad, because I love the theme, the illustrations.
April 27, 2018
The main character a little girl Louise begins to go on an adventure. As the book continues it is really gloomy and Louise needs somewhere to go so she pops into the library. Louise picks up a book and starts to read and read, before she knows it the rain has stopped.
This book is a great way to show that the library and books are a great thing. Sometimes it is hard to get students to read so it makes it easier for students to see reading as fun. This book's illustrations and rhymes creates an irresistible atmosphere for children and for these reasons I gave this a 4 star rating.
This book is a great way to show that the library and books are a great thing. Sometimes it is hard to get students to read so it makes it easier for students to see reading as fun. This book's illustrations and rhymes creates an irresistible atmosphere for children and for these reasons I gave this a 4 star rating.
October 23, 2021
Challenge: Reading Goal Posts/21 in 2021 - Project Two/Reading Toni Morrison. One of four collaborations by mother and son. For the inner child who fondly remembers the purpose that the library and reading fulfilled when young. Books were friends; books chased the blues away; books informed, and were the ticket to other places. Soothing art of Shadra Strickland in watercolor, gouache, pencil and crayon; especially appreciable are the up-close strokes using the simple crayon.
May 29, 2023
This picture book by Toni Morrison is packed with wisdom.
Moreover, the language is a match for that superb wisdom. Here's just one sample:
"Is that house really haunted? Or does it just need care?
Why not imagine the joy that used to be there?"
IMAGINATION CAN BE USED FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL
Libraries, of course, can open the gateway to imagination that makes every other kind of good thing possible.
FIVE STARS, plus I'm shelving this magnificent book under HIGHEST PRAISE.
Moreover, the language is a match for that superb wisdom. Here's just one sample:
"Is that house really haunted? Or does it just need care?
Why not imagine the joy that used to be there?"
IMAGINATION CAN BE USED FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL
Libraries, of course, can open the gateway to imagination that makes every other kind of good thing possible.
FIVE STARS, plus I'm shelving this magnificent book under HIGHEST PRAISE.
August 10, 2020
Just kind of...oddly written? The voice and rhythm are 🤷🏻♀️ in places, especially the last sentence. For example, the unidentified narrator says “Here is the shelter from any storm. In this place you are never alone” and more as if to explain/welcome Louise to the library, but she was clearly going somewhere planned from the start...so it didn’t make sense.
June 20, 2022
6/20/2022 ~ Beautiful poem about books and libraries as safe spaces, however, it didn't quite work for the intended audience. Shadra Strickland's illustrations are luminescent and clearly convey the change in mood from gloomy to optimistic as the child transitions from the rainy day to the sanctuary in the library.
November 27, 2022
Toni was the only reason why I wanted to dive into this book because this is one of those rare children's books that she has authored. It is a simple yet beautiful story about what reading and books does to the imagination and confidence of a child. The charm and allure of books and library is captured very well into the story.
August 17, 2019
Until Toni Morrison died, I didn't realize she had written children's books, so I ordered a couple for our son. This one arrived yesterday. The book does two things: shows how reading books can be an escape and also how to handle sadness and loneliness.
December 17, 2021
This was on display as a Chinese translated version. Loved the portrayal of diversity. And the story of how a library is a true refuge for those who are lonely. And how books are a source of comfort in hard times.
October 16, 2023
I wanted to like it, but somehow it just doesn't work for me. I do love the intent, and the art, and the fact that *non-fiction* books are treasured by the young reader, as well as fantasy and adventure.
June 27, 2017
Love the message in this book--imagination, beauty and happiness in reading
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews