Digging For Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built

by Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar (Illustrator)

Based on the life of Jose Alberto Gutierrez, a garbage collector in Bogota, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

In the city of Bogata, in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria, there live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays-- that's the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure . . . books! Some are stacked in neat piles, as if waiting for Jose. Others take a bit more digging. Ever since he found his first book, Anna Karenina, years earlier, he's been collecting books--thick ones and thin ones, worn ones and almost new ones-- to add to the collection in his home. And on Saturdays, kids like little Jose run to the steps of Paradise to discover a world filled with books and wonder.

With an evocative text by a debut author, and rich, stunning illustrations from an up-and-coming Colombian illustrator, here is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built (Random House/Schwartz & Wade, 2020), an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and winner of both the Américas Award and International Latino Book Award. She is also the author of Penguin Journey (Abrams Appleseed, 2022). Look for her next books from Random House Studio, Make Way: The Story Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and Some Very Famous Ducklings in 2023 and World More Beautiful: The Life and Art of Barbara Cooney in 2024.
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Angela lives with her family in Vermont, where she works as a school librarian. She is represented by Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency. You can also connect on Instagram @angkunkel.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring, touching true story of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage man in Columbia who mined the garbage piles in the wealthy neighborhoods he serviced looking discarded books and took them home to create a library for the residents of the poor barrio where he lived. The focus on inspiring children is wonderful. Should appeal to book lovers and those who love stories about one person making a positive difference in the world. It took a few pages for the two José storylines to really come together, but by the end I was quite wrapped up in the story, and the illustrations are marvelous. Highly recommend.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable story of the strength of the human spirit and the power in sharing one's joy with others! The illustrations have a free-flowing energy that lift the characters off the page with a warm palette to embrace them. Everyone loves a book about books, but Digging for Words moves our hearts beyond!

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digging For Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built is a children's picture book written by Angela Burke Kunkel and illustrated by Paola Escobar. It centers on José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector who built a library for his neighborhood in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, out of books he collected on his route through the wealthier neighborhoods of the city.

José Alberto Gutiérrez is a garbage collector in Bogota in Colombia, who never studied further than primary school and has gathered a library of more than 20,000 thrown away books. The collection began when Gutiérrez fished out a discarded copy of Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina and decades later offers his books to other people as a free community library.

Kunkel's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Employing the present tense, Kunkel absorbs readers with graceful prose that seamlessly incorporates Spanish, centering on two Josés: one is a child who loves the library and the other is the nighttime garbage collector who established it. Backmatter includes an author's note, which offers more about Gutiérrez as well as selected online sources. Stylized digital illustrations by Escobar richly enhance the nonfiction narrative.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It spotlights José Alberto Gutiérrez, who founded the first library in his Bogotá barrio by rescuing books from the trash. This moving tale details the power and pleasure of books.

All in all, Digging For Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built is an inspiring story of a man who believes in the power of books and the importance of community.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Over ten million people live in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. There are only nineteen libraries.'

Lifted from the author's note, this quote sets the premise for what is a remarkable, true story of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a former rubbish collector, also known as 'Lord of the Books'. Discovering a thrown-away copy of Anna Karenina on his route one day, Gutiérrez finds himself inspired to start his own library filled with the books that others cast away. Perhaps this collection has the power to inspire those who cannot afford to access books.

In order to bring a stronger sense of narrative to the story and have a child as part of the telling, Kunkel and Escobar introduce a different José, a young boy who spends his week looking forward to Saturday where he and his friends can enjoy a little slice of Paradise: Señor José's home; now crammed with reclaimed books and stories. Together they sail off on adventures through their imaginations and the written word and these journeys provide them both with immense pleasure.

Escobar's illustrations are a delight. From an urban, multi-ethnic Columbia, we are transported to magical villages deep in the Columbian jungles and strange volcanic islands. For a financially struggling neighbourhood, Gutiérrez home becomes a beacon of hope for the locals. This is an inspirational story about believing in a community and the power in ensuring that everyone has free access to literature.

[Sophie Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book which just made me smile! The power of books and the importance of access to book can never be underestimated and this book highlights this perfectly. With Spanish vocabulary sprinkled throughout, this book provides children with insight into someone else's world and expands their understanding of different vocabulary. These words give context and clues and invite the reader to infer the meaning. Digging for Words highlights how books can transport us to different worlds, and it is so important to have the opportunity to do this regularly.
Finding the right books with allow children to have this feeling of immersion and transformation into another world is really important. Allowing children to explore and enjoy a wide range of stories helps them to escape into other worlds and enjoy the freedom of this.

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built" is the beautiful real-life story of a Colombian garbage man who rescued books and created the first library in his city.

Despite having had to leave school as a child in order to work, he fell in love with stories like The Little Prince and Anna Karenina - and wanted to share the joys of reading with those around him.

I adore the illustrations by Paola Escobar, and Angela Burke Kunkel's word truly brings the story to life.

[Qing Zhuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digging for Words is based on a true story of José Alberto Gutierrez, who built a much needed library in his hometown in Colombia by collecting disposed books on his nightly route as a garbage collector. He himself was not able to complete his schooling as a child for lack of resources, yet his love of reading, learning and his community motivated him to provide a place for all these things for the children of his town. Kunkel’s writing smartly ties in the perspective of a child by featuring the day of “little José”, a child in the neighborhood who looks forward to visiting “big José’s” home library every week. As an artist myself, I savored the wonderful details in Escobar’s illustrations...the child’s claw slippers, the rooftop construction, the lone trashcan illuminated by a single streetlamp. These modern designs of muted colors and worn textures portray a neighborhood that is brimming with warm people and charm. This is a wonderful story for discussions about giving back, love of learning, and what it means to be resourceful and even potentially deeper discussions about what it means when there is a drastic difference in resources and opportunities in a place. Personally, I wish there were more stories such as this about everyday people who dare to dream a little more and do a little more good for the world. Most of us may not be Einsteins and Mozarts after all, but we can all hold something special within us. Truly inspiration and I’m glad someone wrote it and I read it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jose Alberto Gutierrez works as a Garbage Man. He finds books and brings them home.
Another Jose, a young boy, waits until Saturday to visit the library.

Meet Jose Alberto Gutierrez who made an amazing impact on his community in Colombia with the power of books.

Beautiful and whimsical illustrations show Jose Alberto Gutierrez imaginings of favorite books discovered like Anna Karena and the life styles of residents of Colombia.

A wonderful showcase of diversity and optimism!

[Natalie Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent story chronicling the true story of a man who built a library out of books that other people discarded, and then shared it with his community. Absolutely lovely!

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely biography about garbage collector turned environmentalist, educator, and philanthropist José Alberto Rozo Gutiérrez is a book for all ages. The dual narrative of the two Josés, the adult collector and the eager child reader, is a wonderful way to inspire young children to reflect about their reading life and to show the generational impact of José Alberto's generosity and social activism. I would pair it with Monica Brown's WAITING FOR BIBLIOBURRO. I would love to use this book in the classroom and start with questions like, "If you had no access to a library how would you feel?" I would ask students to think about why this was a problem and how they would address it. The allusion to Gabriel García Márquez lit my soul. Paola Escobar's illustrations as always, are stunning and will also captivate readers of all ages.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jose Alberto Gutierrez is a night-shift garbage man in his hometown of Bogota, and one night, he found a perfectly fine conditioned book. Though he never finished his education, he found that reading the book was so rewarding. He made a decision to collect more books that people throw out, doing so, he made his own library in his house. And that library, to this day, is visited by many children who roam around to have the aspirations to read.

Short, and simple this is a nice tale of a man who decided to give back in a big way to his community. Having the duo storylines of the two Joses really emphasized his importance to his village. The illustrations are earthly-colored, but fits the tone well with showing some of Jose's favorite works.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a huge smile on my face the entire time I was reading this beautifully empowering picture book. It truly is a living testimony to what one person can do when he sets his mind to it. I liked how the Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, with no immediate definition, allowing readers to use context clues to figure out their meaning. Books are really the treasures of the world, taking us to "faraway times" and helping us discover other worlds just by turning the page. The short author's note at the end includes more information and lists other resources to explore on the remarkable "Lord of the Books".

[Sherri Silvera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Beautiful true story. The story was above picture book level reading though.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful true story about a book-loving trash collector who creates a library in his home for his barrio of La Nueva Gloria in Bogota from the books he finds on his route.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

True stories often make the best books and this is no exception! As someone that has loved reading for so long, this story brought tears to my eyes. The main character is a prime example of how one person can make a world of difference.
José Alberto Gutiérrez prepares to work every night driving his garbage truck it’s usual route through the neighborhoods of Bogota. He collects more than just the household trash, he finds hidden treasures….. discarded books! It isn’t long before he has created a special library in his home and invites all readers to come and borrow whatever pulls at their heartstring.
It is easy to fall in love with this story and it’s whimsical illustrations, but don’t take my word for it! Do yourself a favor and pickup a copy at your local library, local bookstore, or shop online

[Kennedi Foster]

Digging For Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built is a story about a man who collects discarded books from the trash in his neighborhood and uses them to create a library for his community. It shows how one person’s kindness and love for reading can make a big difference, as well as a how sharing what we love can inspire others. I could use this book in my future classroom to have students bring in a favorite book to share with the class, and talk about why it’s special to them.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the city of Bogota Colombia live two Jose's.
Thus begins the true story of garbage collector Jose Alberto Gutierrez and a child in the impoverished barrio of La Nueva Gloria, where they both live.
Big Jose finds a book in good condition as he collects garbage on his route through a wealthy neighborhood. He reads the book and is transported to another world. He collects more and more books from the trash along his route. He ultimately opens a library at his home for his neighbors to visit on Saturdays. Little Jose waits all week to visit this library of recycled books, and is also transported to others worlds by reading.
A number of Spanish words appear in the work; they are either defined outright, or understandable from context. Delightful illustrations enhance the story. Back matter provides additional details about Gutierrez's life, and about the books referenced in the text.
This narrative nonfiction underscores the power of reading, the need for access to books, and the difference one person can make.
Highly recommended for upper elementary through middle school readers.
Tie-in with reading month, Earth Day (recycling), ELA studies of biography and narrative nonfiction, and stories set in other countries.

[Noelani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. It is a must-read. Heartwarming true story of a garbage man from Bogota, Columbia, who collects books on his garage route, books that were tossed by others, and built a library in his home for the children in his neighborhood. 💗

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This remarkable and uplifting story is about two Joses. One Jose is a garbage collector who finds books on his route and builds a library in his home. The second Jose is a child who cannot wait for Saturday when he can go visit the library and borrow books.

This book celebrates how books improve our quality of life!

The book is based upon a real gentleman (Jose Alberto Gutierrez) who built a library in his home and was a former garbage collector. He went back to school in his fifties and it took him three years to earn his high school diploma. His current dream is to exchange his garbage truck for a truck full of books and travel the country. (He lives in the city of Bogota, Colombia). I am sure he will do it! Hurray!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of the power of books, well told and the illustrations add.

[Ashley A. Novalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a beautiful true story of a man investing in the flourishing of his community through books.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia de vida, ejemplar. No dejar de luchar por tus sueños, sea cual sea, aquí se involucran libros, porque abren la mente, te llenan de conocimientos y no necesariamente tienes que ir a la escuela para aprender, ser una persona culta, a pesar de las dificultades sociales. Las ilustraciones son hermosas, pero el cierre con las fotografías del Sr. Gutierrez con su camión de basura, su biblioteca con niños... hace que esta historia llegue directo al corazón <3

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joyful and inspiring story. It's a fascinating story about a garbageman in Bogotá, Colombia who rescued books he found along his garbage route and used them to create a library for the neighborhood kids. But it's also a celebration of reading and the wonderful escape great stories can provide.

I loved the dual narrative of José Alberto Gutiérrez, the garbageman, and José, the little boy excited to pick out his next book from the library. The author, Angela Kunkel, does a great job adding little details that pull us right into the scene. She also intersperses Spanish words (with context so you understand their meaning even if you don't speak Spanish).

The illustrations by Paola Escobar are gorgeous. Be sure to lift up the dust jacket to reveal a beautiful illustration on the case cover.

I've been looking forward to this book ever since I heard about it last year, and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and inspirational. To learn that there are only 19 libraries in Bogotá, Colombia... and that this fantastic gentleman rescued discarded books to give them a second life in the eager hands of local children excited to devour new stories.

[Alexandria Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is inspiring and heartwarming. One of the characters in the book Jose, was a garbageman who took the books he found to create a library for his community. The children are excited to go to the library and pick out new books. This story is great for children to develop their love for books and help them understand how fortunate it is to have access to books.

[Eva Graefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will use this book in my future classroom to teach my students about the life of Jose Alberto Gierrez and how important he was. This book will also show my students that we can learn important things from books, and they are valued in the classroom.

[Axl Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built is such an inspiring story. I loved how it’s based on a true story and teaches kids to appreciate even the smallest things while showing the power of books and learning.

[Sofia Terèse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in Spanish class. This was ADORABLE i loved it. So sweet.