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D.W.

D. W.'s Library Card

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D.W. can't wait to get a library card, but first she has to learn how to write her name. She practices and practices, and is finally rewarded with a library card of her very own.

22 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

8 people are currently reading
186 people want to read

About the author

Marc Brown

548 books382 followers
Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

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5 stars
231 (35%)
4 stars
188 (29%)
3 stars
185 (28%)
2 stars
37 (5%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for E Money The Cat.
167 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2024
Important for my kitten to appreciate books and a good public library before the neoliberals cut them all.

Also love that the story discusses the importance of taking proper care of a book as well as shows DW working on writing her name.

My kitten loves it, plus DW is such a cute lil aardvark. 4 meows outta 5 on this one.
Profile Image for Capn.
1,339 reviews
April 2, 2023
Read on OpenLibrary, allowing an English-speaking family in Switzerland to access library books digitally in our own language. Please support OpenLibrary - they need your support now more than ever!

:)
Profile Image for Andrew.
463 reviews
May 2, 2014
You know, it says something when I, as an adult, look forward to reading some Arthur, D.W. Adventures. This is just a simple, true, and wonderful story. I think D.W. and her brother Arthur are some of the most developed and relatable characters in children's literature (similar to the Berenstein Bears, yet more subtle with the message). It's the nuance that I like about Marc Brown. He understands the art of the understated. When D.W. takes it upon herself to learn how to write her name, we empathize with her determination and struggle. It's hard when you first learn that. I still remember it taking me forever to learn how to write my name. That was hard! Couldn't get the W on the end. I should've used my mashed potatoes the way she did in the book. When D.W. gets the library book, and Timmy and Tommy Tibble scare her into thinking that she may get her library card taken, we feel her internal tumult, her anxiety over the issue. As adults, we've mostly forgotten about childhood episodes of anxiety, so we trivialize it, don't acknowledge it when it's happening to a child currently. Marc Brown is able to capture those moments honestly. Those moments when we're being bullied, being successful, or silly, or scared, or just uncomfortable; that's what makes these books amazing. We've all gone through some of the situations or emotions that this aardvark family, and their animal friends, go through.
Profile Image for Nick James.
84 reviews7 followers
January 8, 2013
Ah, Arthur. A TV classic and book series that I practically grew up with! I always used to get Arthur books at the library whenever I could, and I really remember this one, D.W.'s Library Card. D.W. was Arthur's pesky sister who always was kinda a nuisance to both Arthur and the reader, but I guess she was such a big hit that she got her own series of books that didn't last too long.
In this one, D.W. wants the childrens book "Hop Along Frog" but Arthur doesn't want to be seen getting her a "baby book" with his own library card, so he convinces her to get her own. She tries to, but must write her name first which she doesn't know how to do yet. She's 6 or 7, but still can't write her own name? Anyway, after she finally writes her name and gets her library card, the Tibble Twins, two of D.W.'s friends, have already gotten the book since she took so long writing her name! So she finally gets it in the end and Arthur reads the book to her, the end.
I never really thought DW was that funny, so I didn't like this ine as much as the other Arthur books. Still, it's not terrible and it's a fairly decent book with a good message for kids.
50 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2018
After reading D.W.'s Library Card, I found that the moral story was very cute, and easy to understand for kids. D.W. has to learn to write her name before getting one to check out a book she wants to read. When she finally learns, she finds out the Tibble brothers already checked it out for a week. When she finally gets to check it out the brothers scare her saying if she ruins it she will lose her car forever. She ends up not reading the book in fear of ruining it but Arthur explains how it works and in turn she decides she will read it for another week.
Profile Image for Meredith.
4,202 reviews73 followers
July 3, 2023
Arthur’s little sister D.W. gets her first library card.

In the story, a child has to be able to write his/her full name in order to be issued a library card. In reality (in the US), a child’s parent or guardian must show a photo ID, present proof of residence within the taxing district, and sign an agreement granting the child permission to use the library and accepting financial responsibility for any lost or damaged materials.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,297 reviews
June 29, 2018
My children love these little books. They thoroughly enjoy each and every story, as if they are all unique and individual without any cause for similarity among them. Even though sometimes, they might seem tedious and repetitive to me as a parent, I do enjoy being able to read short-stories to my children that are clean and respective.
40 reviews
Read
March 31, 2021
This picture book has bright fun colors and is all about a little girl's experiences with the library and having a library card. The book can encourage students to read more and get a library card. It is also a great book because it is available in Spanish as well.
Age level: 4-8
Lexile Level: AD500L
Profile Image for Shaylee.
35 reviews
January 12, 2018
Picture book: I enjoyed this book a lot. It's fun to see D.W.'s experience trying to learn how to use a library card. She hopes to take such good care of the book, and when she finally opens it, she loves it so much she wants to renew it over and over again.
Profile Image for RJ.
Author 8 books66 followers
February 6, 2019
I love D.W. but I was waiting for someone to tell her, "no, you will not get your library card taken away forever if you damage a book". And it didn't happen!! If I was a kiddo of a certain age, I for sure would have missed the humor and taken this literally.
Profile Image for Meg.
1,739 reviews
May 3, 2019
A cute little story that addresses what may be common concerns that new library card holders may have. I like this book as a safe way of helping to introduce library-card-holding responsibilities to young readers and discussing potential fears openly!
40 reviews
April 20, 2024
This was one of my childhood favorite books. I loved that it taught me how to get a library card and what to do with it and the books etc., it was a very cute story and I loved the pictures. I'd read this to younger kids who are getting interested in reading and getting their own library card.
54 reviews
January 17, 2019
As a mom I am never a big fan of Arthur but this book really was great. We enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Karol.
826 reviews20 followers
February 9, 2019
Shows the maturity and responsibility it takes to have a library card in addition to having patience and the excitement of borrowing books.
Profile Image for Lynn.
3,045 reviews84 followers
August 27, 2020
D.W. practices forEVER writing her name, because she wants a library card! Then, when she finally gets the card, the book she wanted is already checked out! Good introduction to use of libraries.
Profile Image for Meharma Khan.
6 reviews
February 17, 2020
It was exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Laurie.
880 reviews
May 28, 2015
Horn Book Guide Spring, 2002
When D.W. learns to write her own name and checks out a library book of her own, she worries what will happen to her if the book gets damaged. Though the library policies seem a bit out of date, this pleasant addition to the familiar series is a solid book about accomplishments and new responsibility.

Kirkus Reviews September 1, 2001
D.W. has to learn to write her full name before she can check out library books with her very own card. She begs her big brother, Arthur, to check out a book for her, but he refuses, saying that it is a "baby book." So she practices writing "Dora Winifred Read" constantly, even spelling out the letters in her mashed potatoes, until she gets it right. When she is finally allowed to check something out, she discovers that the book she wants has been borrowed and she has to wait a whole week before it is returned. When she finally does get her hands on it, the previous borrowers convince her that if she damages it, she might lose her library privileges forever. Arthur to the rescue and she learns that she'll be able to enjoy it over and over; "it's called 'renewing.' " D.W.'s precocious antics and the familiar cast of characters introduce the responsibility of a library card to a whole new generation of readers. A great one for class visits. "(Picture book. 3-6)"

School Library Journal December 1, 2001
PreS-Gr 2-Arthur the aardvark's little sister can't wait until she can write her full name (Dora Winifred Read) so that she can get a library card. However, when she finally gets it, she is so afraid of damaging the book she checks out and having her borrowing privileges taken away that instead of reading it, she puts it in a safe place until it is due. Luckily, her big brother is around to show her that she can take good care of her library books and enjoy them at the same time. This title will be great during National Library Card Sign-up Month in September or just about anytime at all. Brown's ever-familiar crayon sketches have the same appeal as those in all of the previous books.-Rachel Fox, Port Washington Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,140 reviews
December 17, 2011
D.W.'s Library Card (D.W. Series) by Marc Brown follows the anticipation, excitement, and humorous worries D.W. has over getting her library card.

After practicing writing her name, D.W. finally gets her library card. She obsesses over waiting a whole week to get the book she really wants, then gets so worried that the book will get damaged that she keeps it safe but doesn't even read it. When it's finally read to her, she is sad over having to return it, until Arthur explains somethng.

Humorous dialog is featured, including some mis-information from Tommy Tibble about losing library priviledges.

Brown's illustrations extend the humor with some funny expressions captured on Arthur's and D.W.'s faces. My favorites images include the cover, D.W. practicing at the kitchen table, D.W. worried over losing library priviledges, and the last picture.

This presents a fairly positive image of libraries and librarians, and the message about taking care of library books is great. I wish Brown hadn't used the phrase "baby books". I'm glad more libraries don't enforce the "writing your name" rule these days, so that more kids can have their own library cards - it's a great feeling to have one!

For ages 3 to 6, books, libraries, library card, reading, and fans of Arthur, D.W., and Marc Brown.
Profile Image for Rosa Cline.
3,328 reviews44 followers
June 15, 2016
This was a really good "Arthur" book. DW usually is very annoying and irritating...but in this one she sets a good example for young readers. While Arthur is a good brother and has her with him at the library, he doesn't want to check her books out on her card. The librarian tells her when she can write her full name she can get a card of her own. So she goes home and works very hard at writing her name. When she gets it down she goes and gets her very own library card! The book she wanted was checked out so she had to learn to wait a week until it was returned. Then it looked 'broken' but her friends explain to her that it's an old book. Her friends tell her if she tears up a library book that her card will be taken away forever...Arthur explains to her later that it's not true but you still need to care for borrowed books. And he sits and read the book to her. I really liked this book so much positive influences in it.
Profile Image for Kirsten Mellin.
97 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book with my girls. I like that it gives an excellent look at what is expected of children in order to have the responsibility of having a library card and caring for books. Plus, there was a funny twist that Arthur had checked out the "baby book" that he did not want to check out for D.W. to begin with. I will have to say though that I felt like their were two stories in one, so it seemed kind of strange or a little dragged out.
Profile Image for Shannon.
94 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2008
Gaby picked this one up at the library, solely because she watches the Arthur series on PBS. It was good, not great. Nice message to take care of library books.
One thing about kids' books I absolutely hate: When they're writing dialogue and they write "said" when it should be "asked." Why do children's authors do that? It makes me stumble when I'm reading.
Profile Image for Destiny Dawn Long.
496 reviews35 followers
November 18, 2013
It's a cute story, and my daughter was excited to read a D.W. book. I liked the idea of a kid eager to get a library card--but with an older sibling, I was a bit surprised that she would be as scared of hurting her library book as she was. And, as usual, I'm really not a fan of Brown's text.

Still, it was an enjoyable enough story and easy for my toddler to follow.
8 reviews
November 14, 2016
An early elementary book with great illustrations to help enhance the story that is being told. This book is great for emerging readers. It tells the story of one that students will be able to relate to quite well, getting their first library card and all the responsibilities that follow. This has easy to follow sentences and allows for early readers to fall into reading.
Profile Image for Dawn.
103 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2008
With warm humor, author Marc Brown introduces library privileges through the character of D.W. This is a great story to share with K/1 students at the beginning of the year. The story portrays libraries and librarians in a positive light.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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