Such a Library

by Jill Ross Nadler, Esther van den Berg (Illustrator)

An old Yiddish folktale in a modern-day library . . . with a magical librarian! Stevie craves quiet until Miss Understood, a magical librarian, wreaks havoc in this modern-day twist on an old Yiddish folktale.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Jewish, Humor, Retellings, Storytime, Books About Books

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2020

Reviews

[M.L. Tarpley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming tale that will have you marching and juggling, stepping and swinging, flopping and hopping in this zany library full of noise and fun! Nadler's colorful prose and van den Berg's whimsical illustrations intertwine in the perfect combination for a memorable picture book. But the true heart of the story is its profound message to be happy with what you have. A lesson for the ages!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

a tad stereotypical, and not what most libraries are today. I'm a librarian and our public library is seldom quiet. Quiet and shhhing libraries are a thing of the past, I'm afraid. But I did like the creative use of the Yiddish folktale.

As a public librarian, I do wish we could make space for both types of customers.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful tale based on an old Yiddish folktale and published by a new children’s publisher focusing on Jewish literature for children. It begins with a short double-page retelling of the traditional folktale and then retells the story, placing it in a library. The gist of the story is this: a young boy seeks escape from the noise in the library and feels it is too noisy (the typing of the keyboard, the storyteller talking) and he complains to the librarian Miss Understood. Clever name, yes? For she doesn’t get when he says it sounds like a party, or a circus, or a zoo in the library and each time conjures those things from a book until the young boy can’t take the noise. At the end, it all goes away until he is left with the original noises that he thought was loud, but appreciates for being quiet. There is a wonderful end page explaining the re-imagining of this folktale and what it has to say - what makes it quintessentially Jewish in its theme. This is absolutely excellent for storytimes, with great rhythm and the ability to establish laughter while incorporating diversity. Highly recommend.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story, subtitled as an Old Yiddish tale reimagined...it is a reimagined tale, but why specifically stating that its Yiddish, I didn't see it's relevancy...
Regardless, the story and illustrations are cute and its moral of "Being thankful for what you have" is enduring, as one little boy strives for some peace and quiet in the library....but things go awry.

The illustrations are the shining beacon of this picture book, showcasing the young boy's increasing frustration, the Amelia Bedelia literal librarian, and the colorful misunderstandings.

[Donna Gephart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful picture book builds to a hilarious and perfect conclusion -- appreciate what you have because it could always be worse. The language, the illustrations, the concept and the hilarious hidden chickens all work together to make this a story that will be read and re-read and beloved by children and adults.

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this was super-cute! I love how the librarian is Miss Understood. ;) This is a fun book about libraries. I'm definitely putting this in my storytime bank.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Young Stevie just wants to find some piece and quiet. The library will be the perfect place! But when he gets there, he is distracted by the flip of pages turning, the click clack of computer keyboards, and the storyteller saying "Once Upon a Time." When he complains to the librarian about the noise--"It's like a party in here"--suddenly a party appears! Things keep getting louder and louder and Stevie isn't sure how to stop it.

An adorable retelling of the Yiddish folktale about the man and his crowded house. I'm not thrilled about the implication that libraries are quiet, but otherwise this is a lot of fun and a great own voices modern take on a traditional folktale.

[Stacie Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooray for #ownvoices in this re-imagining of a #Jewish/Yiddish fairy tale that is filled with a charming chorus, beautiful images, and rollicking fun! From fun plays on words to the escalation of magic at the hands of one fabulous librarian, Miss Understood, this book brings it all! Party goers, zoo animals, and a full circus populate the pages, teaching Stevie that librarians are magical and that he should be thankful for what he has. Get a copy for your favorite little reader!

[Alyse Liebovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this re-imagined Yiddish folktale because A) kids have access to Yiddish folktales?? b) it takes place in a library c) the librarian's name is Miss Understood, and although since becoming a librarian, I'm often referred to as Ms. Frizzle, I actually think Miss U is an accurate illustration of me at work (at least the clothes/hair/glasses; as for the animals, one can dream)

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the message of the original Yiddish folk tale (and my youngest was really captivated by the original story, too!) I think it just hit too close to home for me to find this iteration humorous as I'm very sensitive to external stimuli so I felt such empathy for the poor little boy who just wanted a quiet place to read, didn't have it in his own home, and felt frustrated that the library couldn't be that place. I am glad libraries can be vibrant places and don't have to be stark and unwelcoming or squelch all but the most timid whisper, but I do sometimes feel it's overboard these days with how loud they can get and those of us who really do need quiet spaces have lost one of the last vestiges of that in our modern society. I'm so grateful that some libraries are still creating quiet spaces; one of our libraries even has a special sensory room: "With gentle lighting and tactile installations, this space is designed to support sensory processing needs in a calm and welcoming environment."

[Grace Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated how the author added the original folktale at the beginning. I'd heard it before, but couldn't remember the particulars. Overall, this was a cute book fun for read-alouds. Personally, I felt like the wording was clunky, but boy did I get a kick out of the librarian! There is a kindred spirit in Miss Understood ;)

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about this book through our use of the Page Turner Adventures during our Summer Reading Program and it finally arrived!!!
Such a Library! is a fun yiddish folktale that any reader will love. The illustrations are also very vibrant and inviting. I look forward to sharing this book with my patrons!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spin off of the Yiddish folk tale where the man complains to the Rabbi about his house being too small, so the Rabbi tells him to bring all his animals into the house, etc. A boy is at the library and thinks it is too noisy, so the librarian (Miss Understood 😂) makes the library even noisier. This was cute.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well done old/new book. We’re given an old Yiddish folktale and then a brand new version, that tells of appreciating what we have. My son and I especially enjoyed the gorgeous illustrations of a vibrant public library.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modern take on an old Yiddish folk tale, and it's a lot of fun. I can just imagine how much my kids would have enjoyed this book when they were little. The illustrations are bright and whimsical, and the message of the story is great but not preachy. Just fun!

[Jacob Hinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this starts off with an Yiddish folktale about learning to like what you currently have and then the modern retelling of it in a library setting.

I don't see me using this in my future classroom because it is a picture book but I like the message behind it.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a signed ARC of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read aloud. My six year old enjoyed it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice library-centric retelling of a Yiddish folktale.

[Susan Rose]

Adorable take on a Yiddish Folk tale. But set in a library.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a crazy librarian. I think I know a few of them.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The librarian in this book is someone I both admire and relate too (well, minus the chicken.)

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about a boy who is uptight about the noise in the library. The librarian and helps him realize it’s not that loud.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Mari]

A good creative take on the classic tale

[Anna Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book that I think would make for an excellent story time read-aloud. Lots of opportunity for audience participation.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite folk tales. This delightfully humorous book has three things a lot don't - cute endpapers, the original tale in the front, and back matter about Yiddish folklore. Yay!

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love folktale retellings. Jill Ross Nadler has done a fantastic job of reimagining my favorite Yiddish Folktale. The original tale is the story of a poor farmer who finds his house too full and noisy and goes to the Rabbi for a solution. The wise man tells him to bring one animal after another into his home. When he is eventually overwelmed by the nois and chaos, he is told to remove them all. The man then finds the conditions that ones drove him crazy quite peaceful and calm. Nadler has updated the story and moved it from a European village to a modern American library. The Rabbi is replaced by a different wise person- the librarian. When a child complains about the noise, various sources of noise and chaos tumble from the pages of her magical book. Esther van den Berg has created whimsical artwork with lots of clever details. Nadler has created a clever scenario and tells the story with the same style of repetition and sound effects that endereared previous generations to the classic Margot Zemach picture book from fifty years ago. Today's children are sure to identify with this modern retelling.

I recommend this picture book for any child young or old alike. It would also be a welcome addition to any school library.