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A Story of Patience & Fortitude #2
Where Is Our Library?
THE MISSING LIBRARY follows the illustrious lion statues that guard the New York Public Library's Schwarzman Building as they venture into the children’s room one night only to find that all the books are gone, and they proceed to search all over the city before finding their favorite books in a surprising new home.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2020
285 people want to read
About the author
Josh Funk
27 books650 followersJosh Funk is the author of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, the How to Code with Pearl and Pascal series, Dear Unicorn, Dear Dragon, My Pet Feet, the It's Not a Fairy Tale series, Lost in the Library and more. His books have sold more than half a million copies worldwide and been translated into a dozen languages.
Josh grew up in New England and studied Computer Science in school. Today, he still lives in New England and when not writing Java code or Python scripts, he drinks Java coffee and writes manuscripts. Since the fall of 2015, Josh has presented (or virtually presented) at over 850 schools, classrooms, and libraries.
Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________.
For more about Josh Funk, visit joshfunkbooks.com and at @joshfunkbooks on socials.
Josh grew up in New England and studied Computer Science in school. Today, he still lives in New England and when not writing Java code or Python scripts, he drinks Java coffee and writes manuscripts. Since the fall of 2015, Josh has presented (or virtually presented) at over 850 schools, classrooms, and libraries.
Josh is terrible at writing bios, so please help fill in the blanks. Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________.
For more about Josh Funk, visit joshfunkbooks.com and at @joshfunkbooks on socials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 6, 2021
A lovely tour throughout New York. The two lions sitting outside a branch of the New York Public Library come to life and go on an excursion to find their missing books. Excellent book! Miss S and I have read it many times (in one day) lol!
October 27, 2020
I just love a good New York story and what could be better than a New York City story about the New York Public Library? And that is just what Josh Funk has written. Where is Our Library? is his second book starring those two lovable library lions Patience and Fortitude and a love letter to the NYPL's 92 library branches, as well as a visit to some iconic bookish landmarks in NYC.
It all begins late one night when most New Yorkers are asleep. Patience and Fortitude leave their perch and begin their nightly visit to the children's reading room in the 42nd Street library, anticipating a night of reading some good books, but when they arrive, much to their surprise and dismay, the books are all gone.
Baffled and disappointed, Fortitude immediately comes up with a plan and the two companions head out the library door and stealthily take to the streets, heading toward Times Square. No finding the library's books there, they head uptown to Central Park, through the zoo, past the carousel, arriving at the Alice in Wonderland statue, where Alice points them in the direction of the Hans Christian Anderson statue. Hans' suggestion: a list of branch libraries they should visit. Which they do, traveling from Harlem to Chinatown, and even along the High Line, but they still have no luck finding their books. By now, dawn is breaking and Patience and Fortitude need to return to their perch in front of the Schwartzman Building.
Do our literary lions find their missing books before the sun comes up? Yes, indeed. They have been moved across the street to the newly renovated Mid-Manhatten branch on Fifth Avenue and East 41st Street. That branch, Patience and Fortitude learn, now houses the Children's Library.
Where is Our Library? is a mystery, an adventure, and an announcement. It is written in a rhyme that never loses its rhythm, an important point for a read aloud. Not only does this story make a good read aloud, but kids will really like seeing some of their favorite books on display in the various branches that the two lions visit. You might also notice that the plays shown on the Times Square pages are all kidlit related, even if the timing of their being performed and the present is a little off. And, thanks to COVID-19, most people never even knew that the renovated Mid-Manhatten branch has been renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library until recently.
I read Where is Our Library? as an eARC but I still found the illustrations fun and energetic. I loved Lewis' depictions of the city at night, but I think my favorite is the two page layout of Patience and Fortitude walking through Central Park and all the familiar places they pass though. For those who aren't familiar with New York, the author has included an informative list of all the places the library lions visit.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was gratefully received from the author, Josh Funk
It all begins late one night when most New Yorkers are asleep. Patience and Fortitude leave their perch and begin their nightly visit to the children's reading room in the 42nd Street library, anticipating a night of reading some good books, but when they arrive, much to their surprise and dismay, the books are all gone.
Baffled and disappointed, Fortitude immediately comes up with a plan and the two companions head out the library door and stealthily take to the streets, heading toward Times Square. No finding the library's books there, they head uptown to Central Park, through the zoo, past the carousel, arriving at the Alice in Wonderland statue, where Alice points them in the direction of the Hans Christian Anderson statue. Hans' suggestion: a list of branch libraries they should visit. Which they do, traveling from Harlem to Chinatown, and even along the High Line, but they still have no luck finding their books. By now, dawn is breaking and Patience and Fortitude need to return to their perch in front of the Schwartzman Building.
Do our literary lions find their missing books before the sun comes up? Yes, indeed. They have been moved across the street to the newly renovated Mid-Manhatten branch on Fifth Avenue and East 41st Street. That branch, Patience and Fortitude learn, now houses the Children's Library.
Where is Our Library? is a mystery, an adventure, and an announcement. It is written in a rhyme that never loses its rhythm, an important point for a read aloud. Not only does this story make a good read aloud, but kids will really like seeing some of their favorite books on display in the various branches that the two lions visit. You might also notice that the plays shown on the Times Square pages are all kidlit related, even if the timing of their being performed and the present is a little off. And, thanks to COVID-19, most people never even knew that the renovated Mid-Manhatten branch has been renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library until recently.
I read Where is Our Library? as an eARC but I still found the illustrations fun and energetic. I loved Lewis' depictions of the city at night, but I think my favorite is the two page layout of Patience and Fortitude walking through Central Park and all the familiar places they pass though. For those who aren't familiar with New York, the author has included an informative list of all the places the library lions visit.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was gratefully received from the author, Josh Funk
February 24, 2021
I very much enjoyed the story and the illustrations. In the back matter, the author lists some titles that Patience and Fortitude come across on their journey. Books in the list that I could not find book covers for anywhere on any of the pages: Herman and Rosie and Madlenka. On the penultimate page, the two lions are looking at three open books, one might be Herman & Rosie, and one might be Madlenka, but it's hard to tell. Books that I did notice, but which were not listed in the back matter: Amelia Bedelia, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business, Lost in the Library, and The Ugly Duckling.
Verdict: An interesting and fun book and a fascinating trip to several New York library locations.
Verdict: An interesting and fun book and a fascinating trip to several New York library locations.
January 5, 2021
So cute!
4 star review (by two adults, no kids):
I haven't read Lost in the Library yet, but I was able to appreciate this as a really fun homage to NYC and to the NY Public Library on its own.
I loved the art (Patience and Fortitude have the sweetest little faces), the NY landmarks (all made my heart go a little squeezy during this time of quarantine), and the libraries (some I recognized!).
The "quest"/plot is simple enough, and I can imagine this would be a fun read with kids before going to the main NYC library branch on a trip.
I personally didn't love the rhyming scheme (A, B, A, B)... I thought the four line stanzas were too much of a mouthful to read out loud, but my husband disagreed. (I prefer a three line stanza: A, B, A.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4 star review (by two adults, no kids):
I haven't read Lost in the Library yet, but I was able to appreciate this as a really fun homage to NYC and to the NY Public Library on its own.
I loved the art (Patience and Fortitude have the sweetest little faces), the NY landmarks (all made my heart go a little squeezy during this time of quarantine), and the libraries (some I recognized!).
The "quest"/plot is simple enough, and I can imagine this would be a fun read with kids before going to the main NYC library branch on a trip.
I personally didn't love the rhyming scheme (A, B, A, B)... I thought the four line stanzas were too much of a mouthful to read out loud, but my husband disagreed. (I prefer a three line stanza: A, B, A.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
August 25, 2023
When the first book was published the children & teen collection had not yet moved to its new home. In this tome Patience and Fortitude travel all around New York and into some of its public libraries in search of the children's collection. I said the first book was an ode to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, but this one is a love letter to the city and to its libraries.
January 19, 2024
I love Patience and Fortitude and I love imagining that those two stone lions I saw when I visited the New York Public Library really do come alive every night and sneak inside to read.
December 31, 2020
My last trip to NYC in May 2019, I made a point to visit the Public Library and to say hello to Patience and Fortitude. This book brought back such wonderful memories of my trips to this incredible city. Walking along the high line is a favorite, so I especially loved this detail. I look forward to visiting again when the pandemic is over and travel is safe.
October 23, 2020
I liked this one even more than the first one. As a Youth Services librarian, this book melts my heart. Between the literary references, New York tourist spots, famous libraries, and the pure sense of adventure captured in this short picture book, I was transfixed. The pictures were charming enough that I had to share it with my reference librarian husband, who’s not a kids person. I found this to be a gem that really highlights the wonders of books.
November 17, 2020
I loved getting to visit New York and seeing Central Park and it's literary sights and this little book was a nice reminder. I read it to my students and they loved it! I teach English as a second language and this book was readable for young students and beginner readers. The artwork was perfect. Do yourself a favor and get this book!
March 7, 2021
Patience and Fortitude are back and this time they go on a journey around New York City to find their missing children's books. The two wake up one night and discover the empty shelves in the Children's Area. To find answers, they head for the statue in the park (Central Park). From there, they follow a map to various library branches. Eventually, they return home and discover the new Children's library location.
The illustrations pull readers in to explore these libraries along with Patience and Fortitude.
The illustrations pull readers in to explore these libraries along with Patience and Fortitude.
October 6, 2023
Ok, let me get this out of the way first - I just came here to review this book and find that it’s a #2!! That really just upsets my universe a little bit, but I suppose I’ll survive. Lol.
So anyway, this is a really great book with awesome illustrations. It’s a nice story and at the end it has a guide of all the spots featured in the story where the two lions ventured to making it a great little guidebook for kids on a trip to New York that would help to keep them engaged.
Off to find the first story about these two!
So anyway, this is a really great book with awesome illustrations. It’s a nice story and at the end it has a guide of all the spots featured in the story where the two lions ventured to making it a great little guidebook for kids on a trip to New York that would help to keep them engaged.
Off to find the first story about these two!
February 27, 2023
It's a cute book about the lions that sit in front of the New York Public Library. (I didn't know their names were Patience and Fortitude) They go searching for "their" library books but can't find them. It's a somewhat interesting trip around New York City but for those who don't live there these places really don't mean much. I loved the illustrations. And the lions are really cute.
August 10, 2021
I loved this so so much
October 13, 2021
Age 4-8.
Great introduction to important NY buildings I just don't like the way the text and book are formatted. I found it boring but an interesting concept.
Great introduction to important NY buildings I just don't like the way the text and book are formatted. I found it boring but an interesting concept.
February 15, 2021
It was very funny, cute and had some very interesting information at the back. I also really enjoyed the pictures. All around very good book!
May 9, 2021
This book melted my little librarian heart.
November 8, 2020
This feels like another story of New Yorkers overestimating how much anyone else knows or cares about the geography of the city.
September 3, 2021
Patience and Fortitude are the stone lions who sit outside the 5th Ave. entrance to the New York Public Library. At night, the like to visit the children's section, but on this night, they notice all the books are gone, so they decide to search the city for them. First they head to Times Square - but the signs they see are Broadway shows, not books (Lion King, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, The Little Mermaid)! Then Patience remembers a wise man in Central Park who might be able to help. Hans Christian Anderson gives them a list of other branches of the Public library which they visit, but they can't find their missing books, until a Kite Dragon gives them a hint.
Libraries should have wonderful books about libraries, and this is absolutely one of them. Oh, the children in New York City will recognize all the places, and cherish their own local libraries. But, besides the tour, the story is great! The poetic narrative would be a fun read aloud. My favorite part is the author's note at the end identifying all the things they see, and talking about why the branches and places they visited were special to children's literature. Also, I love all the tiny little recreated book covers on the library shelves.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Libraries should have wonderful books about libraries, and this is absolutely one of them. Oh, the children in New York City will recognize all the places, and cherish their own local libraries. But, besides the tour, the story is great! The poetic narrative would be a fun read aloud. My favorite part is the author's note at the end identifying all the things they see, and talking about why the branches and places they visited were special to children's literature. Also, I love all the tiny little recreated book covers on the library shelves.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
August 16, 2025
In Lost in the Library, Patience and Fortitude showed us inside the main branch of the New York Public Library. In the companion book Where Is Our Library?, the lions explore New York City looking for the missing children’s section where they like to read each night after dark.
I delighted in following the lions through the city, seeing bits and pieces of what is often on a visitor’s list. Together, these two books fan the flames of my desire to tour NYC and they are perfect read-before-you-go books for the whole family.
And, darn it, apparently, I need to re-read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland because I got frustrated that the answer to the riddle “Why is a raven akin to a desk?” was not answered in the text of the book. Of course, my inquiring mind wanted to know. A quick Google reminded me it was a line from Lewis Carroll’s famous story and a riddle that was not intended to have an answer.
I delighted in following the lions through the city, seeing bits and pieces of what is often on a visitor’s list. Together, these two books fan the flames of my desire to tour NYC and they are perfect read-before-you-go books for the whole family.
And, darn it, apparently, I need to re-read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland because I got frustrated that the answer to the riddle “Why is a raven akin to a desk?” was not answered in the text of the book. Of course, my inquiring mind wanted to know. A quick Google reminded me it was a line from Lewis Carroll’s famous story and a riddle that was not intended to have an answer.
March 27, 2021
Summary: Fortitude notices that Patience has not return to his post and it was almost sunlight. Fortitude starts to look around the library with a little help from some statues and maps. He becomes very worried that he will not find Patience in time but all of a sudden he hers something coming from the other side of the children's section and it is Patience. He finds out that Patience is being a great friend reading stories to tell Fortitude when they are on their post.
My Thoughts: I thought this was such a cute book to show what friends do for each other. This explores using your surrounds and help from other to find something you have lost calmly. This can also teach students about kindness between friends and sharing stories. I think students will find this book very cute and sweet. It is something I will definitely read in my classroom.
My Thoughts: I thought this was such a cute book to show what friends do for each other. This explores using your surrounds and help from other to find something you have lost calmly. This can also teach students about kindness between friends and sharing stories. I think students will find this book very cute and sweet. It is something I will definitely read in my classroom.
August 22, 2020
I was excited to receive this ARC after attending an ALA (virtual) trivia night. Thanks #mackids!
This is a fun picture book that follows the NYC library lions Patience and Fortitude around the city as they try to figure out what happened to the Children's Center collection when they discover it missing on their usual nightly visit. A sweet tribute to the public library and to the grand opening of the new Children's Center in May 2020.
A list in the back highlights all the places in the city that they visit as well as the specific library branches shown and some of the books featured in the illustrations as well.
This is a fun picture book that follows the NYC library lions Patience and Fortitude around the city as they try to figure out what happened to the Children's Center collection when they discover it missing on their usual nightly visit. A sweet tribute to the public library and to the grand opening of the new Children's Center in May 2020.
A list in the back highlights all the places in the city that they visit as well as the specific library branches shown and some of the books featured in the illustrations as well.
August 7, 2020
The New York Public Library lions, Patience and Fortitude, go on an adventure outside of their library when they discover some missing children's books. They end up walking through the city to different branches in the search, so it's a bit of an adventure seeing the different libraries while also running in to other bookish statues and design elements.
It's nice and it works. I probably would have liked a bit more narrative and "adventure" for this quest though. Otherwise, the illustrations are fun and still have fun with knowing the two statues and the library itself.
It's nice and it works. I probably would have liked a bit more narrative and "adventure" for this quest though. Otherwise, the illustrations are fun and still have fun with knowing the two statues and the library itself.
November 16, 2021
Patience and Fortitude, the guardian lions of the NYPL, are off for another adventure. During their usual overnight romp in the library, they notice the children's room has lost all of its books. They spend the whole evening exploring the city as they look for their beloved library before they discover it has been relocated much closer than they realized.
This was a fun introduction to the city. Again, the illustrations are beautiful, and they include not only some important locations, but literary monuments that are sprinkled throughout the city.
This was a fun introduction to the city. Again, the illustrations are beautiful, and they include not only some important locations, but literary monuments that are sprinkled throughout the city.
August 7, 2024
Patience and Fortitude the lions outside of NYC’s famous library are shocked when all the children’s books disappear. They roam all over the city in search of their favorite books, visiting Central Park, Times Square and more. With some help they find their books have moved to a new home in the library.
This book would be perfect to read to a child visiting NYC or one who lives there full time. The pictures include many beautiful landmarks.
This book would be perfect to read to a child visiting NYC or one who lives there full time. The pictures include many beautiful landmarks.
August 18, 2020
Where Is Our Library? by Josh Funk is a sweet adventure story. My son enjoyed the adventure but was a bit confused at some points. It is lyrically written but the flow can tend to be jumpy while reading aloud. The art by illustrator Stevie Lewis is magnificent and beautifully done. This is a 3.5/5 rating in my personal opinion.
ARC received from MacMillan.
ARC received from MacMillan.
December 4, 2020
One night Patience and Fortitude, the New York Public Library lions, are dismayed that all the children's books are missing from their library! They search the many city libraries and find wonderful books, but not the ones that went missing. The lions enjoy visiting interesting landmarks of the city, and then realize where the books had gone. Great illustrations for this fun rhyming story.
December 7, 2020
A story about the New York Public Library lions - Patience & Fortitude.
It's about the main libraries new addition of the Children's and Teen Center. Clever pomotion.
Back matter includes a bit of the history of Patience & Fortitude and notes the literary sculptures mentioned in the story. It also makes note of New City locations that are book setting. Take time to take a second look.
It's about the main libraries new addition of the Children's and Teen Center. Clever pomotion.
Back matter includes a bit of the history of Patience & Fortitude and notes the literary sculptures mentioned in the story. It also makes note of New City locations that are book setting. Take time to take a second look.
January 2, 2021
Such fun to travel to New York City from my couch in Washington state, especially when we are staying safe at home. I loved the author’s note in the back with further details about the sights Patience and Fortitude visit throughout the book. Cant wait until I can visit the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in person.
March 8, 2021
Join NY Public Library guardian lions, Patience and Fortitude, as they search for their missing children's library.
The whimsical illustrations as these two big cats unravel the mystery of their missing children's books are delightfully done by Stevie Lewis, with the story by Josh Funk.
Fun read aloud and great for a NYC exploration and a love of books!
The whimsical illustrations as these two big cats unravel the mystery of their missing children's books are delightfully done by Stevie Lewis, with the story by Josh Funk.
Fun read aloud and great for a NYC exploration and a love of books!
August 6, 2021
A delightful rhyming tale in which the New York Public Library's lion statues Patience and Fortitude go in search of the children's books that have gone missing from their usual shelves in the branch outside which the two statues sit. Particularly of interest to those who have visited or live in New York City and library lovers of all stripes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews