Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library

by Barb Rosenstock, John O'Brien (Illustrator)

As soon as Thomas Jefferson learned to read, he found his passion: books, books, and more books! Before, during, and after the American Revolution, Jefferson collected thousands of books on hundreds of subjects. In fact, his massive collection eventually helped rebuild the Library of Congress—now the largest library in the world. Barb Rosenstock’s rhythmic words and John O’Brien’s whimsical illustrations capture Jefferson’s passion for the written word as well as little-known details about book collecting. Author and artist worked closely with experts to create the first picture book on Jefferson’s love of reading, writing, and books. An author’s note, bibliography, and source notes for quotations are also included.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Books About Books, American History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely nonfiction book on Thomas Jefferson’s library with little boxes shaped like books all over the pages with interesting little facts. Did you know that Thomas read his father’s entire library of 49 books (a lot back in colonial times) by the time he was age 6 and these were adult books about history and law. That impressed me. He spent his life reading.

He did help our country get it’s library started. I don’t know if you have seen this building, but it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in DC. The artwork is worthy of anywhere in the world. I have seen the display they set up of the books that he did donate to the library after the original building burned down. It is an impressive collection from one person and there really is a lot in there. I think they have scanned it in to an online program and since it’s old, I would guess the public can read it on goggle now.

His whole family were readers. He and Martha read together and spent time writing out their favorite passages. His children and grandchildren loved to read as well and that’s what you did in that household. He collected more than 2 books a day on average at one point. He spent about 15,000$ on books which is equivalent to 250,000$ by today’s money. That’s a nice little sum on books.

My dad had his own little library of about 1,000+ books in his study. It is a wall to wall room of bookshelves with his desk. I always loved that room. I didn’t read his books like Jefferson did, but I heard the call of books and I love them too. There is never enough time to read all the books that I want.

The nephew thought this was a bit dry. He does like books though. He gave this 2 stars. The niece loves little fact books like this and she thought this was interesting. She is now interested in seeing the Jefferson Library in DC and I would love to take her someday. It is a wonderful place. She gave this 4 stars.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a passionate bibliophile like me not love a book about another passionate bibliophile like Thomas Jefferson?

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for the adult, or child, I suppose, who cannot live without books Bonus points for addressing the difficult issue of slavery in a sensitive way.

Library copy, natch.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Thomas Jefferson learned to read. And then, he never stopped.”
When my son heard this line, he laughed out loud at the absurdity of such a statement but then wanted to read on to see how the author would support a grand claim like that!

With this opening line to Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library, Barb Rosenstock recounts the strong role that reading and books played in Thomas Jefferson’s life. While many biographies use dates to create a logical chronology, Rosenstock uses Thomas Jefferson’s engagement with books to tell his life and the birth of the many libraries Jefferson created. For example, readers will learn about how “Tom” consumed the books from his father’s library “the way a starving man eats.” On each page, the reader will see how reading and the ideas of books influenced Jefferson’s life, his thinking and his values. Students, especially those who love to read, will identify with Jefferson.

The story format of this informational picture book will support student understanding. The playful pictures compliment the information in the text, making the story accessible for a variety of reading levels. Rather than drawing realistic pictures of Thomas Jefferson reading, the illustrator, John O’Brien, exaggerates Jefferson’s interactions with books in humorous ways that students will enjoy. When Jefferson needs to put a book on the top shelf in his library, he simply builds a set of stairs with books. When moving overseas, Jefferson appears to take only books with him. These illustrations reinforce the central theme of the story, Thomas Jefferson was constantly interacting with his cherished friends – books! Additional facts and quotes from Jefferson are cleverly put into side boxes that resemble open books. The text in these boxes, as well as many of the details in the drawings, are small. This book will serve students better as a private read than one to be read to a large group.

The author provides readers with an “Author’s Note” commentary about Thomas Jefferson’s role as a slaveholder and an impressive bibliography that includes many primary sources. These elements of an informational text not only provide a way for readers to consider the issue of authenticity, but also provide the means to check the author’s interpretation of those sources. Most importantly, students interested in exploring Jefferson’s life in more depth can look to those sources for further research.

The content of this text is appropriate for all students and can be adapted to fit the information threshold for particular students. For older students, this text could be used as a springboard for discussions about how private collections of books, historic documents or art can be donated for the use and enjoyment of the public. Students can think about how libraries are used, how they are funded or the communities they serve.

This book is recommended by the National Council of Teachers of English.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Thomas Jefferson was a reader after my own heart. His book-buying was as compulsive as mine is. I love the quote on page 30 (Thomas Jefferson, 1788): "I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, with my books, my family, and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post which any human power can give." Ah, that's retirement for me! He must have loved his country a great deal to give up his library to it. I know how hard it is to part with carefully collected treasures. Just think how pleased he'd be if he saw the Library of Congress today--he'd never want to leave! Rosenstock portrays Jefferson as a special person whose obsession with books and reading benefited us all.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought I wasn't going to like this book because every page is so busy. There is not a ton of white space used in this book, almost every inch of the page is filled in with lines or dots. And beside the main text, there are facts and quotes scattered around the pages. All of this visual stimuli was jarring at first, but by the end I was used to the style. And being a librarian, how could I not be inspired by the story! I actually got misty-eyed at the end when the author wrote about the modern-day Library of Congress.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was especially enjoyable to read since I bought it in the Library of Congress book store after seeing Jefferson's collection! I love the story of Jefferson's obsession with books and reading and the legacy he left to the Library of Congress. And who wouldn't want a table that revolves so that you could read several books at once?! I enjoyed O'Brien's lively illustrations, also.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson had his faults but this book focuses on his love for reading and collecting of books. I learned a lot about Jefferson's contribution to the Library of Congress' collection (basically starting/rebuilding it).

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to own this one. My sweet daughter Chrisy found it at the library. We read it as a family.

[Lyubina Litsova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Много са ми интересни детските книги, които разказват за реални хора и събития.
Барб Розенсток е написала няколко такива.

Тази специално разказва за Томас Джеферсън (един от бащите основатели и трети президент на САЩ), който е ненаситен читател от дете и страстен колекционер на книги като възрастен.
Книжните приключения на този талантлив и противоречив човек са изпълнени с много трудности и незабравими моменти.

През 1814 г. Библиотеката на Конгреса е подпалена и унищожена, 3 000 книги са изгорени.
Джеферсън решава да продаде на Конгреса своята колекция от 6 500 книги (събирани 50 години) на цена, много по-ниска от реалната им стойност.
Така библиотеката е възстановена и в следващите десетилетия обогатена.
Тя не спира да се обогатява и до днес - всеки ден се добавят по 9 000 нови библиотечни единици.
В наши дни Библиотеката на Конгреса е най-голямата библиотека в света.

Ето как любовта на един човек към четенето и книгите полага основите на нещо толкова мащабно и дълговечно.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing man! He read constantly in all subjects, in 7 different languages, & bought on average more than a book a day 😲

But he used all that knowledge he’d gathered to invent things, help others, get the U.S. off to a good start, & publish 2 books of his own.

“After 50 years of collecting, Tom owned more books than just about anyone else in America. He couldn’t let his country go without a library.” So he started the Library of Congress with 6500 of his books…& now it has more than 155 million items in 470 languages 🙌

Fun & informative book ❤️ Definitely 5 stars ⭐️

[Pumkin pie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this book a three-and-a-half star rating. It was very informative and interesting to learn about how America's 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, built such a massive library through his lifetime. Throughout the book, there were also many interesting facts, including approximately how much money Thomas Jefferson spent on books in his lifetime (hint: it was a lot). The illustrations were also very fun and creative. I really enjoyed this book.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text: 5 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars

Picture book biography of Thomas Jefferson that focuses mainly on his love of reading and books. Text is engaging and flows well. Illustrations incorporate books in many inventive ways. The distinctive art style combines mosaic-like watercolors with pen-and-ink drawings. Layout includes small book insets containing supplemental facts and images on many of the pages. Nice period details reflect the historical setting. Includes an author's note and bibliography.

I especially appreciate the brief but meaningful discussion within the author's note about Jefferson owning slaves, whose unpaid labor allowed him all that time and financial support to collect thousands of books, avidly pursue his intellectual interests, and serve various political positions that helped found and form this country. Though he wrote compelling arguments, and even drafted legislation, against slavery, Jefferson "owned about six hundred [African American] individuals throughout his life."

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon first look at the overall appearance of the illustrations, my mind said I wasn't going to like this title. I had already read and loved Kalman's Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything which was an entertaining way to learn biographical information.
However, Rosenstock's title focuses only on Jefferson's love of books and his contribution to the beginning of America's library, The Library of Congress. Not every child or adult will be interested in this aspect of Jefferson/s life, but this is a good title to use in conjunction with the Kalman title.
One illustration technique of presenting facts in little sidebars or bubbles usually annoys me. The extra facts in this title are presented in illustrations of open books, as if one is reading them in an actual book. A unique and very appropriate illustration for this title.
Actually I really like this title.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson was quite a reader and one of his collections of books became the basis for the Library of Congress. This nonfiction text is packed with information about Jefferson and his love of books. The format makes for a friendly, though longer, read aloud; this is the kind of book that lends itself to only reading select text boxes to make for a shorter read. Recommended for grades 2 - 4, the pages are a bit busy, though students will enjoy the narrative that emphasizes key points and asks leading questions.

Nonfiction text features include an author's note, information about Jefferson as a slaveholder, acknowledgments, selected bibliography and source notes, and attribution for each quote used in the book.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a book lover, I really enjoyed learning about Thomas Jefferson's love of books and his lifetime of collecting them. I learned a lot right along with my children about how he seeded the Library of Congress with his own books.

The downfall of this book is how busy each page is. There are multiple illustrations inset in larger ones, and tidbits of information that aren't part of the story, but contain quite a bit that a reader would want to know. One is left scanning the spread to see what one missed before they turned the page.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the inserted quote by one of Jefferson's slaves (Isaac Jefferson, blacksmith and tinsmith) and the inserted reference to political opponents who disapproved of Jefferson's books and did not want the US to buy them, saying that some were immoral and that people should not read them(!). I appreciate the generous back matter. I like the design of the pictures. But I do not like the style and medium of them at all, and so, despite the value of the book, cannot give it a personal rating of more than three stars.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson loved to read. He bought books all over the world, more than tripled the Library of Congress, and then gave the Library of Congress his own personal library when it burned down during the War of 1812. That was a fact I didn't know.

This book is full of facts and shows Thomas Jefferson's life as it was connected to books. Very colorful, with short text, and interesting fact/quote bubbles along the illustrations make it a quick, fun read for an ELL.

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a couple of times myself and once to my 5th grade class. Every time I read it, I found more books hidden and not-so-hidden in the illustrations! This worked well as a read-aloud, although I didn't read every one of the extra fact blurbs. I found them interesting, but picked out just the most interesting to read to the class. My students especially loved finding the hidden books in the illustrations.

[Deborah Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your young ones like to read grab this book next time you are at the library! What a great history lesson on Thomas Jefferson and how he was an avid reader!

Jefferson helped build the Library of Congress which now has over 155 million items, 800 miles of shelves, in 470 languages! The crazy part to me is it adds close to 12,000 new items each day!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for my birthday and I loved it!!! I read it out loud to Shawn and Archie. I may not be teaching 4th grade anymore, but I still love this content. I love how there are hidden or creatively rendered books on every page!!!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whimsical illustrations and the added fun facts on most pages make this a fun read for sure. The topics of Jefferson, his love of reading, and the Library of Congress are covered in beautiful detail and this a fabulous read for history lovers of all ages.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's picture book all about the madness of a renowned individual's love of books. A different perspective on history. A bit wordy for a picture book but definitely not too wordy. And not the view of Jefferson I'm used to seeing. Probably not for everyone, but good for any bibliophile.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent children's book on the life of Thomas Jefferson told from the point of view of his massive library. If you love books and reading, share this with a child in your life.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson was passionate about books! This book is filled with wonderful facts about his reading life. I love sharing this book with my third graders!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read about how Thomas Jefferson was bananas for books! So much so he started the library of Congress with his own book collection!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED reading about Jefferson's library...the books he collected, the letters he wrote about books, the donation he made to the Library of Congress.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost decided not to read this book with my children. However, I was glad I did, because it leads into the most important part, the fact that he was instrumental in building the Library of Congress. And despite the contradictions of his life - owning so many slaves and even fathering some of them, yet writing about inalienable human rights - the Library of Congress is a monumental national resource. The author has a note about this contradiction that I read to my kids, and we had a discussion about how complicated people can be, how people can do great things but also have terrible flaws.

It's also worth it to read the little facts on each page, they are very interesting.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished a Brad Thor thriller in which the history of Thomas Jefferson played a huge part. As a result, I decided to read everything written about Jefferson. Naturally I started with kid's books. This was a fun read, I learned a lot and it fed my books addiction. What more could I ask?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focuses on Jefferson's passion for reading and collecting books.