Dear Librarian

by Lydia M. Sigwarth, Romina Galotta (Illustrator)

When Lydia was five years old, she and her family had to leave their home. They hopped from Grandma's house to Aunt Linda's house to Cousin Alice's house, but no place was permanent. Then one day, everything changed. Lydia's mom took her to a new place — not a house, but a big building with stone columns, and tall, tall steps. The library.In the library, Lydia found her special spot across from the sunny window, at a round desk. For behind that desk was her new friend, the librarian. Together, Lydia and the librarian discovered a world beyond their walls, one that sparkled with spectacular joy.Paired with warm art by newcomer Romina Galotta and a foreword by Ira Glass, Dear Librarian is a "thank you" to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Books About Books, Family, Nonfiction, Memoir, Friendship

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this one to the list of picture books that made me cry.

"Dear Librarian,
May I tell you a story? It's about me, and it's about you, and it's about my Library Home."

When our narrator was five years old, her parents, five older sisters and one younger baby all moved to Iowa to start over new.

"In Iowa, I didn't have a home to live in, just houses."

They had a big family and no permeant place to live. Sometimes they stayed with an aunt, other times with a cousin. Each place didn't feel quite right...until our narrator went to the library and found a friend in the librarian.

"You looked me right in the eyes and listened to me like I was a grown up. ... Every day, you gave me a hug. Every day, you made me feel safe and happy."

Throughout this story, we learn about how libraries helped this little girl find comfort, and solace, and fun, and a sense of home.

At the end of the story, we learn that the little girl was so moved by the librarian from her childhood, that she grew up and became one herself. (And there's a little note at the end showing photographs of our narrator and her librarian friend as grownups).

This was such an amazing story - so beautifully written and truly shows what a little kindness can do to a child in need.

I love how this was a true story - from the author's own childhood - and I think it makes the book all the more special for it.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Very pretty illustrations. My nearly 2 year-old daughter loved the pink bathtub. There were many opportunities to teach my daughter new things when I read this book to her: maple leaves, red polka dot tea cups, books, swing, roller skates, and more. I liked how the library can be a safe haven for everyone to go to. I didn’t have the same experience at my first library visit, only because I was still learning English, but I do remember librarian were always friendly and helpful. I loved that the librarian in this book took the time to sit down to read to Lydia. I do love big libraries too. The last time I visited a big library was during a travel to Memphis, TN. My then 4 year-old son loved it. Another big library I would like to revisit is in Milwaukee, WI downtown. I used to go there all the time.

This book acted as a letter to a favorite librarian. It’s a story about the author, Lydia, when she was 5 years old. Her family composed of 5 big sisters and one baby brother along with her mom and dad. They had to move from Colorado to Iowa because her dad needed a new job and the family needed a new home. But after the move, they had to stay with different relatives until they got settled down. One day, her mom took the family to a library. At the library, Lydia met a librarian who read to her and introduced her to new books. From then on, the library became a safe haven for Lydia and she grew up to be a librarian too.

Dear Librarian was well written and a special book for everyone. A great book to remind readers that a library is always there to provide books to read, toys to play, movies to watch including a librarian to help expand your knowledge. This is the second book that mentioned about homeless and how the library is a reliable place. The other book was The Good Sister where Wally rely on the library to shower. I enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end of the book. Made me regret for not having a librarian buddy of my own. I loved that illustrations with the librarian reading a book to a roomful of kids. It reminded me that I should take my daughter to a toddler story time next month. Fantastic book and I highly recommend everyone to read it.

xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

As a Librarian, of course I had to read this book- and it did not disappoint! Dear Librarian is based on the author's experience as a young girl experiencing homelessness, but finding refuge in the library and the children's librarian. The story was beautifully told, accompanied by illustrations that fit the gentle tone perfectly. The pictures used a soft pastel color palette and there are many small details that add to the whimsy. Recommended as a lap-sit book for a caregiver and child, like as a sweet bedtime story, or for an adult reader to enjoy even without reading aloud to a young one.

-Diana F.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

And then there is this story…

She was just 5 years old, when she and her family found themselves homeless. Fortunately, there were other family members that took them in while they attempted to find a place to live.

But...

She always knew she didn’t belong anywhere in those few months of living in other people’s spaces.

Until…

She found the library.

And…

This and the librarian became her home.

So much so…

That this author became a children’s librarian, too.

I don’t want to go in to how it all came to be, I think that can be easily read through these delightful pages.

But…

Let me just say…

This is a heart-warming, joyful, inspiring and beautifully illustrated story.

Interest level: ages 4-8 years

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just made me cry at work

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book based on a true story about a child who finds a home away from home in a library. It truly tugged on my heartstrings and brought back memories of what my library was to me as a child and how I continue to love libraries today.

My favorite lines:

"Behind that desk was my new friend. She had kind eyes, a gentle face, and laughter like bubbles."

I had the Staff in the Youth Services department at my local library in mind as I read these words, they truly love bringing books to life and sparking the imaginations of our young patrons.

When I was a child, I visited the Library once a week to check out books and had a favorite librarian. I was terribly shy and she was kind, gentle and soft spoken, and so easy to talk to. I loved having a safe and welcoming place to go to and books I could escape into.

When I had my own children, they had their own favorite librarian also. Now, I work in a library and get to hang out with wonderful people who share my love of the library most every day. Libraries are wonderful places of refuge where your imagination can soar and you will meet people who can't wait to share their love of books and all kinds of information and find worlds to explore!

[Karie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder of all a library has to offer. The pandemic altered things for awhile but there are still BOOKS and we can still be KIND! I don’t remember my childhood librarian but I do remember the Library-riding my bike there and filling my basket with books every week. Some things haven’t changed!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a librarian? Do you want to cry happy tears?
If so, this is your book. This is MY book. This book is ME and my story. While my story involved a middle school librarian being there for me during a very hard time - I too became a librarian to help stand in the gap for other kids and teens just like my librarian friend who helped me.

Thank you for writing this beautiful book. I just bought a personal copy to have with me always.

[Lynsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this ever since the author announced she had written a book. It's just as beautiful as I imagined it would be. It touches on a sensitive topic in a way that is welcoming and appropriate for children, providing a good learning opportunity. If I weren't already in library school, this book would make me want to become a librarian.

[del · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello! One of my dearest friends in the world wrote this book! Tell your friends! Tell your local library!

[Spillminttea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can relate to the feelings..... specifically when I lost all my friends at a time suddenly, before they reached me lol later, I have huge problem, I'm depressed, and feeling lonely even there are "friends" not being "friends". Then, the library gives me home. The funny part is the library is more private, so there is no fun part as well as the book mentioned such puppet show, or twittering w/ friends, etc. Before social media rising as nowadays, books are already beside me. I know I was late bloomer, bcs I'm starting loving book while I'm adulting.

[zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-warming as fuck.

[michelle (travelingbooknerds) · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this book just made me sob it’s so special and i’m so emotional and my heart physically feels like it’s squeezing in my chest

i want to gift this book to every single one of my friends kids but i only bought one copy so i guess i gotta buy more 😭 genuinely so sweet and ahhh libraries are everything and truly a home away from home. sending all the hugs in the universe to author lydia m. sigwarth who wrote this based on her own lived experience and her librarian. oh and don’t even get me started on romina galotta’s stunning, tender, and sweet illustrations!!!!

easiest 5-stars ever. highly recommend!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I go to my public library on school day afternoons, I witness the librarians patiently helping with homework and computers, reading stories, checking out personal devices and watching over the dozens of children who have no other place to go.

I was an elementary school librarian, so my days were a bit different, but through the years there were many children who found refuge in the library, when they needed a safe place or some extra attention.

Those stories came to mind, as well as tears to my eyes when I read this charming story with its gentle, sweet illustrations. In DEAR LIBRARIAN Lydia Sigwarth shares her childhood story about a caring and loving public librarian who made her feel she was always welcome in the library. When Lydia and her six siblings struggled with homelessness, they were lovingly welcomed to read, play, skip and make up stories everyday in the library. Best of all, our heroine found a librarian who always helped her find that special book and read it to her. This is her thank you letter to that librarian.

This inspiring story is for library lovers and especially for librarians. It’s one for public libraries, as well as elementary libraries. And the reason for my tears? Because this gentle story brought all of those memories flooding back, as well as the hope I was one of those librarians.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

One young girl and her 5 siblings keep hopping around from family house to family house, but nothing feels like home.
Going to a large library, the young girl makes a new friend of the supportive librarian there, leaving a lasting impression.

The subject of homelessness is very real. The unknown impact that one person can have on another is infectious to say the least.
You never know what you may give unknowingly to a person every day, whether it be books, a shoulder to cry on or someone to give you love and support, the power of listening and empathy still works wonders.

The illustrations by Romina Galotta are magical realism and wonder, simple and beautiful. As the power of imagination mixed with our young protagonists' houses and emotions blend seamlessly, it is very easy to fall in love with this story.

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aku dengerin versi audiobook nya, ini bagus cerita nya dan bikin iri karena habis baca melihat realita perpustakaan sini jauh banget bedanya. Cerita nya cukup inspiring buat lebih kenal dengan librarian dan pekerjaan librarian disini sound really fun.

[Nathan Bartos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction picture book about a little girl with home insecurity finding solace and a home in the library, especially with a children's librarian and how that inspired her to become a librarian herself. It's beautiful and really well done.

[Hillary Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry a little bit. It's a great reminder of why I wanted to become a librarian.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to Julianna this morning. Julianna and I give it 5 stars. Julianna says she likes it because the little girl in the story made friends with the librarian and she became a librarian when she was older. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. The front and back explain that this picture story book was inspired by a true life story. It shows the love of books, the library, the friendship of a child and librarian and how the child waa inspired by that librarian and the love of books. It also talked about how someone can find a safe, happy place in a library, to enjoy, despite their living circumstances.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. A sweet thank you to the librarian who made Lydia feel at home in the library when her family was homeless. Lovely watercolor illustrations, be sure to check out the case cover art. Love the author note and photos of Lydia and her librarian, who inspired her to become a librarian also!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the tears...this is why we do what we do every day.

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going about my day at work when this book, “Dear Librarian” by Lydia M. Sigwarth, passes through my hands and caught my eye. Omgoodness, what a sweet book! A love letter to librarians everywhere, the author shares her touching story about what the library meant to her as a child who experienced a period of homelessness.

Thank you Sigwarth for sharing your very personal story and for doing so in a way that can spark conversations with children about empathy and compassion. Beautiful illustrations add to the charm.

Check this book out y’all for the littles in your life!

[Jan Polep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that works on so many levels. Been there, done that....both as a kid hanging out in my school library helping the librarian and later as a public library librarian "working" with patrons young and old to find just the right materials to meet their needs. Now we need a book about what library trustees do to keep the libraries alive with funding, advocacy, and planning...

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

While visiting the lovely downtown public library in Dubuque, IA which is the setting for this picture book, I learned about this author. The picture book maps the true story of a child who was greatly impacted by the kindness of a librarian. Highly recommended!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo yah Librarians

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A letter to a librarian who made a difference in a person’s life. Cute.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

For anyone who has ever found comfort in the library ❤️

[Gracie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is good and inspiring"

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Dear Librarian, May I tell you a story?

Premise/plot: Dear Librarian is the story of a girl, Lydia, and her special librarian. Lydia is recounting her experience of moving. Her family doesn't have a home of their own, a space of their own. They are staying with various members of their extended family. Lots of change and some uncertainty. But Lydia finds a home--in the library. And she finds a friend in the librarian.

My thoughts: This book is based on the author's experiences as a child. So if the picture book feels a little out of sync with contemporary times, that's probably why. I am not complaining. I do think there are some timeless things in the story itself. In fact I appreciate the fact that it is based on real experiences (and emotions). It feels authentic.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book from a library group I'm a member of on Facebook. If a book is about libraries or librarians I have to read it because I work in a public library and have loved libraries since I was a child. This is a really sweet picture book that is a love letter to libraries and librarians. I recommend the audiobook because there is music and sound effects throughout and it is read by the author.