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Palace of Books
From beloved storyteller Patricia Polacco comes a picture book based on her childhood about how a very special librarian and town library made her life happier after moving to a new state in elementary school.
When young Patricia’s family moves to Battle Creek, Michigan, she finds it hard to believe this new place will ever feel like home. But soon she meets the kind librarian Mrs. Creavy and discovers the library’s doors are always open. Now, Patricia has a place to explore and study books about the birds that she loves. Mrs. Creavy even introduces her to the books of John James Audubon and helps Patricia introduce her classmates to the joy of birds by becoming the first member of the Audubon Bird Club of Freemont Elementary.
When young Patricia’s family moves to Battle Creek, Michigan, she finds it hard to believe this new place will ever feel like home. But soon she meets the kind librarian Mrs. Creavy and discovers the library’s doors are always open. Now, Patricia has a place to explore and study books about the birds that she loves. Mrs. Creavy even introduces her to the books of John James Audubon and helps Patricia introduce her classmates to the joy of birds by becoming the first member of the Audubon Bird Club of Freemont Elementary.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2023
4 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Polacco
101 books1,078 followersPatricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 9, 2023
I’m always thrilled when a new Patricia Polacco picture book becomes available. The Libby e-edition was available to borrow before the library had the hardcover ready to borrow so I’ve read the e-book first. I didn’t want to wait. I’m at the beginning of the queue for the hardcover edition and I plan to also read it but from what I could tell I have no complaints about the Libby e-edition.
This book is another winner from Patricia Polacco.
The illustrations in this book might be my favorites by her. I particularly liked the images of the birds and also of all the nature scenes. My e-book did not have page numbers. For the first time I read a Libby edition and was not offered a Kindle edition. My favorite image might be the one just a few pages in. It’s of swallows diving and circling in the sky with beautiful background images.
This is a touching and multifaceted story. It tells of one brief period when the author/illustrator lived in a Michigan city, after leaving her grandparents’ farm and before her family’s move to California. I was glad to quickly get away from the animal farm and to the city with its wild birds and even the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and to her school life too and to her library experiences.
She writes about the librarian who introduced her to the paintings (in books) of John James Audubon. Patricia knew birds and liked to paint them. She writes about the importance of that library to her. Rather than using the books in the children’s section she liked looking at the fancy art books that had to be read on site. She was already interested in being an artist. I had to laugh when during her first solo library visit, after her mother said she could borrow books to bring home from the library, she tried to walk out with an expensive art book not available for borrowing, and before she had a library card. Yes, it was predictable but I still found it amusing and cute.
She writes about how she stayed in the lowest reading group at school and eventually was the only student in it and didn’t understand why reading was hard for her. I hate grouping kids by ability especially when it’s made obvious to all who is in which group. The saving grace was that she had a great first grade teacher who valued her knowledge of birds and her artistic talent. Her mother was the kindergarten teacher with a room across the hall. Because of her work on a class project and her interest in birds she was named the first member of the Audubon bird club at her elementary school. I love how at about age 6 (maybe 7) her mother was fine with her going on her own from school or home a few blocks away to the library. I remember those days too. I still know children who have that freedom but I know and know of plenty of children who do not, at least not at that relatively young age.
I always like Polacco’s books that take place in California because she lived just across the bay from me and in a town I know fairly well. I like most of her personal books though, including this one. Yes, I came close to tears a couple of times. I often feel emotionally touched when reading her books.
In the back of the book as part of the author’s note there is a photo of the real library and a photo of the library card she had back then when she was in first grade. She says she still has the Audubon bird club pin that she got over sixty years ago. Her keeping mementos and family heirlooms make it into her books and they make them richer. They’re a gift to her readers. She also writes about how it was only in later years that she learned she has dyslexia, dysnomia, and dysgraphia. She thanks Mrs. Creavy the librarian who introduced her to Audubon’s paintings that inspired her and helped her school classmates get their Audubon membership cards.
I love how this author uses her books to thank librarians and teachers who helped her thrive during her sometimes difficult school years.
This is a great book. I recommend it especially to children who love birds and who love nature, children who like to paint and/or make other art, children with any sort of learning difference or disability, and maybe children who need to move or have moved areas and schools. Children who have any particular passion are also likely to appreciate this book. Also highly recommended for librarians and for teachers. This story is a good reminder of how they can have a huge impact on children.
4-1/2 stars
This book is another winner from Patricia Polacco.
The illustrations in this book might be my favorites by her. I particularly liked the images of the birds and also of all the nature scenes. My e-book did not have page numbers. For the first time I read a Libby edition and was not offered a Kindle edition. My favorite image might be the one just a few pages in. It’s of swallows diving and circling in the sky with beautiful background images.
This is a touching and multifaceted story. It tells of one brief period when the author/illustrator lived in a Michigan city, after leaving her grandparents’ farm and before her family’s move to California. I was glad to quickly get away from the animal farm and to the city with its wild birds and even the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and to her school life too and to her library experiences.
She writes about the librarian who introduced her to the paintings (in books) of John James Audubon. Patricia knew birds and liked to paint them. She writes about the importance of that library to her. Rather than using the books in the children’s section she liked looking at the fancy art books that had to be read on site. She was already interested in being an artist. I had to laugh when during her first solo library visit, after her mother said she could borrow books to bring home from the library, she tried to walk out with an expensive art book not available for borrowing, and before she had a library card. Yes, it was predictable but I still found it amusing and cute.
She writes about how she stayed in the lowest reading group at school and eventually was the only student in it and didn’t understand why reading was hard for her. I hate grouping kids by ability especially when it’s made obvious to all who is in which group. The saving grace was that she had a great first grade teacher who valued her knowledge of birds and her artistic talent. Her mother was the kindergarten teacher with a room across the hall. Because of her work on a class project and her interest in birds she was named the first member of the Audubon bird club at her elementary school. I love how at about age 6 (maybe 7) her mother was fine with her going on her own from school or home a few blocks away to the library. I remember those days too. I still know children who have that freedom but I know and know of plenty of children who do not, at least not at that relatively young age.
I always like Polacco’s books that take place in California because she lived just across the bay from me and in a town I know fairly well. I like most of her personal books though, including this one. Yes, I came close to tears a couple of times. I often feel emotionally touched when reading her books.
In the back of the book as part of the author’s note there is a photo of the real library and a photo of the library card she had back then when she was in first grade. She says she still has the Audubon bird club pin that she got over sixty years ago. Her keeping mementos and family heirlooms make it into her books and they make them richer. They’re a gift to her readers. She also writes about how it was only in later years that she learned she has dyslexia, dysnomia, and dysgraphia. She thanks Mrs. Creavy the librarian who introduced her to Audubon’s paintings that inspired her and helped her school classmates get their Audubon membership cards.
I love how this author uses her books to thank librarians and teachers who helped her thrive during her sometimes difficult school years.
This is a great book. I recommend it especially to children who love birds and who love nature, children who like to paint and/or make other art, children with any sort of learning difference or disability, and maybe children who need to move or have moved areas and schools. Children who have any particular passion are also likely to appreciate this book. Also highly recommended for librarians and for teachers. This story is a good reminder of how they can have a huge impact on children.
4-1/2 stars
April 29, 2023
Like so many of Patricia Polacco’s picture books, this is a warm story about a significant time in her own childhood. The narrative opens with young Trisha taking a final tractor ride with Grampa, carefully avoiding areas in the fields where thatchers nest with their hatchlings. Trisha’s bubbie has recently died and Grampa has sold the farm. He will move to Indiana to live with relatives. The farm has also been home to Trisha, her brother Richie, and her mother, so it’s hard to leave all the farm animals and the natural world for Battle Creek, Michigan, where their mother has taken a teaching position. Grampa reassures Trisha that there will be birds in the city. He’s right: there’s a robin’s nest right outside her bedroom window in the old coach house they’re renting from an older lady. There’s also a library not far away, where Trisha discovers books that feature the paintings of famous artists, confirming for her that this is exactly the work she wants to do.
Trisha is taken under the wing of a nurturing librarian, Mrs. Creavy who secretively takes her high, high, high up in the palatial building to see the special John James Audubon collection. The grade-one nature walks that Trisha’s teacher, Miss Bice, has regularly taken the class on, the viewing of Audubon’s works, and Tricia’s own love of birds lead her to suggest that birds should be their class’s theme for parents’ night. Her classmates wholeheartedly agree and insist that Trisha’s drawings of birds should be featured. Mrs. Creavy visits the joyfully decorated “bird-santuary” room, full of the children’s avian art. An official accompanies her, and Tricia receives a special honour.
Polacco’s narrative mentions her struggle with reading, and in her afterword she explains that only years later did she discover that she had dyslexia, dysnomia (an impaired ability to recall words, names, and objects), as well as dysgraphia (a neurological disorder of written expression characterized by problems with fine motor skills and writing ability in general). The sadness of being academically behind her classmates is communicated in the book, but the greater message of warm, encouraging, loving adults who nurtured her curiosity and talents shines bright.
Thanks to my GR friend Lisa for making me aware of this book.
Trisha is taken under the wing of a nurturing librarian, Mrs. Creavy who secretively takes her high, high, high up in the palatial building to see the special John James Audubon collection. The grade-one nature walks that Trisha’s teacher, Miss Bice, has regularly taken the class on, the viewing of Audubon’s works, and Tricia’s own love of birds lead her to suggest that birds should be their class’s theme for parents’ night. Her classmates wholeheartedly agree and insist that Trisha’s drawings of birds should be featured. Mrs. Creavy visits the joyfully decorated “bird-santuary” room, full of the children’s avian art. An official accompanies her, and Tricia receives a special honour.
Polacco’s narrative mentions her struggle with reading, and in her afterword she explains that only years later did she discover that she had dyslexia, dysnomia (an impaired ability to recall words, names, and objects), as well as dysgraphia (a neurological disorder of written expression characterized by problems with fine motor skills and writing ability in general). The sadness of being academically behind her classmates is communicated in the book, but the greater message of warm, encouraging, loving adults who nurtured her curiosity and talents shines bright.
Thanks to my GR friend Lisa for making me aware of this book.
March 23, 2023
Based on events in Polacco's life, this is a moving picture book about Patricia's struggles at a new school. Patricia is not only adjusting to living in the city away from her grandfather, but also with her difficulty with learning to read. Fortunately, a fabulous librarian plus Patricia's passion for birds and drawing help Patricia to feel special and guide her to living a life of creative fulfillment. A must read for fans of Patricia Polacco!
March 10, 2023
I’ve been waiting several years for Patricia Polacco’s book, Palace of Books to be released. It is about Willard Library, Patricia’s childhood library and mine. I decided to make a quick trek up to MI from Columbus, OH to hear her talk about the book and to get my copy signed. Meant a lot to me to celebrate the place where my reading life started and Patricia Polacco’s as well.
The book is a delightful recollection of not only Willard Library, but a much more simplistic time, when children took in the outdoors, safely walked independently to places of discovery, and didn’t have the distractions of technology to keep them from the beautiful. The book also highlights the unfortunate ignorance we had towards disabilities such as dyslexia and dysnomia at that time. We’ve lost and gained some things over time.
The illustrations are classic Polacco and are so amazing to take in. Side note- the library card she shows in the book looks exactly like my first one as well…even as we probably received them at least 20 years apart. ❤️
The book is a delightful recollection of not only Willard Library, but a much more simplistic time, when children took in the outdoors, safely walked independently to places of discovery, and didn’t have the distractions of technology to keep them from the beautiful. The book also highlights the unfortunate ignorance we had towards disabilities such as dyslexia and dysnomia at that time. We’ve lost and gained some things over time.
The illustrations are classic Polacco and are so amazing to take in. Side note- the library card she shows in the book looks exactly like my first one as well…even as we probably received them at least 20 years apart. ❤️
March 27, 2023
I usually love Patricia Polacco and was excited to read this book that seemed to be about libraries. However, this book really seems to jump all over the place and therefore was harder for me to enjoy. I still liked it, but not as much as some of her other titles.
March 20, 2026
Welp. This one made me cry. I'm a librarian and it was a perfect reminder of how important the work of teachers, librarians, and others who work with children really is. We need to pay attention. We need to encourage. We need to inspire.
And, we need to remember that we are so lucky to do just that every single day.
And, we need to remember that we are so lucky to do just that every single day.
November 14, 2023
Patricia Polacco has had great books but this one might be the best one!! Polacco had me hooked!!!
In this book, Patricia moves to Michigan and discovers a big library with lots of books. Patricia then meets Mrs.Creavy the librarian. Mrs.Creavy sees how interested Patricia is when it comes to books. Mrs.Creavy later on introduces Patricia to the books of John Audubon. When Patricia sees John Audubons books, she's fascinated because the author likes birds as much as she does. Patricia then shares her interest on birds with her classmates and becomes the first member of the bird club!! When reading the end of the story all I could think about is what a beautiful story. The first major theme in this story is kindness. Throughout the book Patricia is experiencing a loss in her family and also moving to a different place. Patricia is having a hard time adjusting and by the librarian being kind to her, she starts to become more comfortable and excited to learn more about books. Patricia wanted someone to be kind and that lead her to the right direction. Another theme in this story is learning difficulties. This is one of the themes because we later learn that Patricia is having a hard time reading because she has dyslexia. Since she has this learning disability, she is helped by taeacher. The genre of this book is memoir. It is a memoir book because the story is about the authors younger self. Through reading this book, I learned that a library can bring you joy and help you understand the importance of books. Patricia Polacco is an amazing author and I always remember her books because my teachers would read them.
This book was a WOW book for me because Patricia Polacco has been my favorite author ever since a young age. This story is amazing because it shows how teachers/librarians have a kind heart and will help you become successful.
One of the literary devices in the book is symbolism. The author uses birds as symbolism throughout the story because it signifies Patricia's interest and her new beginnings. This is an important symbol because throughout the book Patricia mentions them as she looks outside her window, as she books for books, and why she's interested in John Audubon's books. Another literary device is imagery. The author uses imagery in the beginning of the book when she describes the sounds of the birds and what she sees. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it only talks about Patricia and the importance of books.
In this book, Patricia moves to Michigan and discovers a big library with lots of books. Patricia then meets Mrs.Creavy the librarian. Mrs.Creavy sees how interested Patricia is when it comes to books. Mrs.Creavy later on introduces Patricia to the books of John Audubon. When Patricia sees John Audubons books, she's fascinated because the author likes birds as much as she does. Patricia then shares her interest on birds with her classmates and becomes the first member of the bird club!! When reading the end of the story all I could think about is what a beautiful story. The first major theme in this story is kindness. Throughout the book Patricia is experiencing a loss in her family and also moving to a different place. Patricia is having a hard time adjusting and by the librarian being kind to her, she starts to become more comfortable and excited to learn more about books. Patricia wanted someone to be kind and that lead her to the right direction. Another theme in this story is learning difficulties. This is one of the themes because we later learn that Patricia is having a hard time reading because she has dyslexia. Since she has this learning disability, she is helped by taeacher. The genre of this book is memoir. It is a memoir book because the story is about the authors younger self. Through reading this book, I learned that a library can bring you joy and help you understand the importance of books. Patricia Polacco is an amazing author and I always remember her books because my teachers would read them.
This book was a WOW book for me because Patricia Polacco has been my favorite author ever since a young age. This story is amazing because it shows how teachers/librarians have a kind heart and will help you become successful.
One of the literary devices in the book is symbolism. The author uses birds as symbolism throughout the story because it signifies Patricia's interest and her new beginnings. This is an important symbol because throughout the book Patricia mentions them as she looks outside her window, as she books for books, and why she's interested in John Audubon's books. Another literary device is imagery. The author uses imagery in the beginning of the book when she describes the sounds of the birds and what she sees. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it only talks about Patricia and the importance of books.
May 13, 2024
A picture book memoir of the author's brief time in Battle Creek, Michigan after they moved off the family farm and before they relocated to California. Tricia may have trouble reading, but she excels at art and, thanks to her Grandpa, identifying birds. A teacher who encourages the class to get out in nature, Tricia's love for birds and art, a librarian who sees Tricia's passions and nurtures them,and a special class project all came together to launch a legacy at Fremont Elementary School.
This is an immediate prequel to the events that happen in Thank You, Mr. Falker which I'm now debating moving into picture book biographies along with this. Library of Congress has this as fiction, but the back of the book provides primary documents that prove this all revolves around real events in the author's childhood. I love how this book shows the impact a grandparent can have on a child, how love for creatures can be contagious, and how books are for everyone (even those who struggle to read...Patricia had undiagnosed dyslexia and other reading disabilities at the time of these events and couldn't read but she still loved books...how she learned to read is told in Thank You, Mr. Falker).
This is an immediate prequel to the events that happen in Thank You, Mr. Falker which I'm now debating moving into picture book biographies along with this. Library of Congress has this as fiction, but the back of the book provides primary documents that prove this all revolves around real events in the author's childhood. I love how this book shows the impact a grandparent can have on a child, how love for creatures can be contagious, and how books are for everyone (even those who struggle to read...Patricia had undiagnosed dyslexia and other reading disabilities at the time of these events and couldn't read but she still loved books...how she learned to read is told in Thank You, Mr. Falker).
March 14, 2023
I don't normally post reviews on pictures books but I'm going to make an exception this time because I absolutely adore Patricia Polacco books! I am recently retired but I own almost every Patricia Polacco book and eagerly shared them with my second graders every year. Now I'm buying them for me! Patricia not only writes heartfelt books based on her childhood years but she does her own illustrations as well and they are simply amazing! The theme of her newest book is based on her introduction to the Willard Library in Michigan as well as becoming the first member of the Audubon bird club of her elementary school. There is so much more to her books than this short review can begin to tell. Students (and adults alike) relate to her books because she openly shares her educational challenges as well as familial challenges that we almost all experience . Her books are also filled with the joy and wonder of growing up with Ukrainian and Irish grandparents as well as interacting with and appreciating people of all colors, ideas and religions. If not Palace of Books, read any of Patricia Polacco's books. You might just get hooked like I am!
June 2, 2023
Bedtime reading for me tonight... :) I love sweet stories like these. One thing that stood out, and was very similar to something I both read and watched elsewhere recently, was the power of a moment, or a person, or both, in altering the course of one's life. It reminds me of the butterfly effect... Anyway, Polacco shows how the course of her life was directed by the moment she took a different street further on the way home and found the library. Because of the library, then the librarian, then the things the librarian showed her, she grew up perusing her dreams as an artist, and has written books, moving beyond the limitations of learning disabilities she has. Inspiring. The power of a moment, a decision the impact of a person. 💗
April 28, 2023
Young Patricia and her family need to move off their farm and away from their grandfather. When she sees the grand building with pillars and lion statues, she learns that it’s a library and declares she must go visit. She soon learns about special collections of bird books by Autobahn. Patricia may not be good at reading but she sure knows how to draw and she knows all about birds. She leads her class in a special bird project and earns memberships for her class, into a special bird group Polacco’s storytelling and artwork come to life on the page. Highly recommended.
April 5, 2024
I love all of Patricia Polacco’s books & this is no exception. It’s a story of a girl who discovers the library & the joy of looking at books & checking them out. She goes to the library Ms Polacco went to as a child. She had problems reading & Ms Polacco was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. She loves birds & gets her whole class to love them too. They cover the school with many bird pictures. The illustrations are wonderful too.
March 11, 2023
It's Patricia Polacco-need I say more?
I loved EVERYTHING about this book!
A quick visual book review can be seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpoPKcyshic/
I loved EVERYTHING about this book!
A quick visual book review can be seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpoPKcyshic/
August 15, 2024
This is a wonderful autobiography. It's about moving to a new school, and birds, and books, but it's also about how wonderful libraries and librarians are, and how a little girl with dyslexia, dysnomia, and dyagraphia was still welcomed into a place that may have been foreign to her, and that helped her grow up to be an author and an artist, things you might not expect from someone with those learning disorders. 🧡🧡🧡
March 8, 2023
I love Patricia Polacco and anxiously awaited her latest just released book. I wasn’t disappointed. Palace of Books goes back to when little Patrica and her family must leave their beloved farm and start first grade in a new city. Luckily, she discovers a huge library with a wonderful librarian who notices Patricia’s love of birds and interest in art. This eventfully leads to Patricia’s whole class putting on a prize winning bird themed art show and becoming members of the Audubon Society. Polacco credits both Mrs. Cheavy, the Willard librarian and her first-grade teacher, Miss Bice, for helping her achieve her dream as a renowned writer and illustrator.
Excellent book for kids who tend to be unsure of themselves and need a confidence booster. The book might inspire them to see there are many different paths to success.
Excellent book for kids who tend to be unsure of themselves and need a confidence booster. The book might inspire them to see there are many different paths to success.
April 17, 2023
First sentence: It was a sunny day.
Premise/plot: Patricia Polacco is sharing memories from her childhood in her newest book Palace of Books. As a young girl, she moved from the country [family farm] to a bigger city. She writes of going to school and discovering the library. But as a young child especially, she's drawn more to ART and NATURE (particularly BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, MORE BIRDS) than to reading and writing. She has no interest in the children's section of the library--she doesn't want to read books--but she's super-drawn to the adult art section. The librarian befriends her and teaches her about John James Audubon and the Audubon Bird Club.
My thoughts: I really wanted to love and adore this one. Patricia Polacco has written some of my favorite picture books (for older readers). Usually her picture books are super-text-heavy. (I don't mind a bit.) She tells (often) stories from her family tree. She writes what she knows, and knows what she writes. This fits in exactly with what she's done in the past. So if you are a fan of her books, then chances are you'll appreciate this one too.
My expectations were too high. I saw PALACE OF BOOKS and thought this would be a book about books, a book about the glory of books, a book about the magical wonder of discovering books, about libraries as being the place to discover your people, your place to belong, your home away from home. And, in part, I suppose it is. It does celebrate her relationship with one librarian. But what I wasn't expecting--because I didn't read the description at all--was birds, birds, birds, birds, birds, and more birds. I couldn't relate to wanting to learn more about birds, liking to bird-watch, drawing birds, etc. This hobby is the primary focus of the book.
Reading is so subjective. I can appreciate many things about this one and still not personally love it.
Premise/plot: Patricia Polacco is sharing memories from her childhood in her newest book Palace of Books. As a young girl, she moved from the country [family farm] to a bigger city. She writes of going to school and discovering the library. But as a young child especially, she's drawn more to ART and NATURE (particularly BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, MORE BIRDS) than to reading and writing. She has no interest in the children's section of the library--she doesn't want to read books--but she's super-drawn to the adult art section. The librarian befriends her and teaches her about John James Audubon and the Audubon Bird Club.
My thoughts: I really wanted to love and adore this one. Patricia Polacco has written some of my favorite picture books (for older readers). Usually her picture books are super-text-heavy. (I don't mind a bit.) She tells (often) stories from her family tree. She writes what she knows, and knows what she writes. This fits in exactly with what she's done in the past. So if you are a fan of her books, then chances are you'll appreciate this one too.
My expectations were too high. I saw PALACE OF BOOKS and thought this would be a book about books, a book about the glory of books, a book about the magical wonder of discovering books, about libraries as being the place to discover your people, your place to belong, your home away from home. And, in part, I suppose it is. It does celebrate her relationship with one librarian. But what I wasn't expecting--because I didn't read the description at all--was birds, birds, birds, birds, birds, and more birds. I couldn't relate to wanting to learn more about birds, liking to bird-watch, drawing birds, etc. This hobby is the primary focus of the book.
Reading is so subjective. I can appreciate many things about this one and still not personally love it.
January 16, 2024
First off, I LOVE Patricia Palaco. She is a brilliant storyteller! With that I found this story struggled as a picture book because it needed to be a chaptered memoir. The story quickly jumped from time on the farm to first days of school to discovering what a library was to moving to becoming an artist. It was a lot! Parts felt like she wanted to say more about her relation with the librarian or her new teacher but didn’t have the pages to write it all. Some of the text seemed mismatched to the pictures, especially when leaving the farm at the beginning. Again, P Polaco is an amazing storyteller, but she was so dramatic with this tale, with things being “the MOST” or “the WORST” extreme. It was the running joke of “it was so ____…” “How ____ was it?” And kids who are insulted when an adult directs them to a kid book or activity just bother me. Kid, you act like you are so much smarter or better than the rest of us that you are just exasperated when an adult points you to kid stuff. Those kids got on my nerves when I was a kid and reading about how much more mature she was to not want the kids section of the library because she was so much better than that pedantic material. Obviously, those kids still get to me. And the title of Palace of Books made me think the library would be a bigger part of the story than it was. Did the librarian even matter to the story?? I guess she showed Patrica the Audubon stacks which started her drawing. Although wasn’t she already drawing the Robin outside of her window?? She also said she liked her teacher but obviously still resents that the teacher kept her the green reading group even after 60 years. It was just a disjointed autobiography that needed more details than a picture book could allow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2023
Brief summary: As a girl, Patricia Polacco's family moves from Union City to Battle Creek, Michigan. It is hard for her to adjust from living in a rural area with birds, trees, and wheat fields to a place in the city. She is thrilled that a bird has a nest in a tree outside her bedroom.
One day she walks home from school, taking a different route, and discovers a stately building with giant pillars along the front with many steps leading up to a porch.
She discovers it is the Willard Library and full of books for people to borrow. She gets up enough courage to go inside, where she meets the librarian, Mrs. Creavy, who helps her find bird books and even shares the notable books of John James Audubon, full of watercolors of birds.
Soon, Patricia paints birds and shares them with her class. Mrs. Creavy has given the class tickets to visit the Bird Sanctuary. This sparks an Audubon bird club at Fremont Elementary School for the next sixty years.
I will always recommend a book by Patricia Polacco, as she is one of the best storytellers and illustrators in the USA. I was honored to have her as a guest author for our elementary school. I will always cherish having lunch with this legendary author and illustrator that day in our little elementary library.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
One day she walks home from school, taking a different route, and discovers a stately building with giant pillars along the front with many steps leading up to a porch.
She discovers it is the Willard Library and full of books for people to borrow. She gets up enough courage to go inside, where she meets the librarian, Mrs. Creavy, who helps her find bird books and even shares the notable books of John James Audubon, full of watercolors of birds.
Soon, Patricia paints birds and shares them with her class. Mrs. Creavy has given the class tickets to visit the Bird Sanctuary. This sparks an Audubon bird club at Fremont Elementary School for the next sixty years.
I will always recommend a book by Patricia Polacco, as she is one of the best storytellers and illustrators in the USA. I was honored to have her as a guest author for our elementary school. I will always cherish having lunch with this legendary author and illustrator that day in our little elementary library.
Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
December 23, 2023
What I didn't like:
- I know Patricia Polacco books are text-heavy, but I felt like it took too long to get to the actual point of the book. She's not even introduced to the library until Midway through the 50+ page picture book.
-This book covers moving, extended family relationships, school, difficulty reading, birds, libraries, art....for a picture book geared towards 2nd-3rd graders, it felt too busy.
-The title is Palace of Books, but most of the book was NOT about that. While I love books and I love reading, I don't particularly love books about books or the love of reading. But the title and description of the book didn't match, and that irked me.
What I did like:
- I appreciate that this book highlights that libraries have books for EVERYONE - even struggling readers. I loved that little Trisha could explore her passions of birds and art even when she didn't have the confidence or skills to read about them (she said she was diagnosed with dyslexia, among other things, "in later years" so at this point in her life, she clearly hadn't received the help needed to bridge her reading difficulties).
- I loved that she had both a teacher and librarian who supported her in her interests and strengths. Heroes.
- I know Patricia Polacco books are text-heavy, but I felt like it took too long to get to the actual point of the book. She's not even introduced to the library until Midway through the 50+ page picture book.
-This book covers moving, extended family relationships, school, difficulty reading, birds, libraries, art....for a picture book geared towards 2nd-3rd graders, it felt too busy.
-The title is Palace of Books, but most of the book was NOT about that. While I love books and I love reading, I don't particularly love books about books or the love of reading. But the title and description of the book didn't match, and that irked me.
What I did like:
- I appreciate that this book highlights that libraries have books for EVERYONE - even struggling readers. I loved that little Trisha could explore her passions of birds and art even when she didn't have the confidence or skills to read about them (she said she was diagnosed with dyslexia, among other things, "in later years" so at this point in her life, she clearly hadn't received the help needed to bridge her reading difficulties).
- I loved that she had both a teacher and librarian who supported her in her interests and strengths. Heroes.
June 3, 2023
A treasure. Love, separation, coping, in a time when there is space and supports to do so. Interests gained outside the classroom enhance Tricia’s and her classes’ learning experiences. An introduction to the public library with an extraordinary adult advocate takes Patricia under her wing, introduces her to the magic and majesty to behold and utilize there. Though reading proves difficult to Tricia, a caring adult librarian matches magical works of art in books that forever impact the life of Patricia.
Community institutions and leaders have vital roles in the lives of youth, here. They help to provide materials, care, inspiration, acknowledgement and award youth with involvement in other community organizations, such as the class memberships awarded for the Audubon Bird Club with Patricia as the first member of her. Elementary School.
The illustrations are sumptuous, free. They move and express a breezy freedom of childhood, even during sad, uncertain times. Her use of color and movement are joyous. In this Palace of Books, the world inside the public library, as well as, outside, are worlds at which to wonder and explore.
Community institutions and leaders have vital roles in the lives of youth, here. They help to provide materials, care, inspiration, acknowledgement and award youth with involvement in other community organizations, such as the class memberships awarded for the Audubon Bird Club with Patricia as the first member of her. Elementary School.
The illustrations are sumptuous, free. They move and express a breezy freedom of childhood, even during sad, uncertain times. Her use of color and movement are joyous. In this Palace of Books, the world inside the public library, as well as, outside, are worlds at which to wonder and explore.
August 10, 2023
Another Patricia Polacco book is always a treat and one that is centered on the difference a librarian/library made in her life makes it extra special for those who love books. As with some of her picture book, this one is autobiographical from a short period during first grade. The family moves to a new, albeit temporary, home where young Trisha finds a niche in the local library and librarian Mrs. Creavy leads to the discovery that her love of art and birds are a perfect combination both in her heart as well as the classroom. Trademark Polacco illustrations bring life to the story and will feel familiar to readers of her many works. Text is lengthy so librarians may have difficulty placing this one in the POLs in their picture book section but regardless of placement, fans of Patricia Polacco’s heartwarming books will find it. Target age for class read aloud is likely grades 2-5 and for independent reading, grades 3-5.
March 31, 2025
Polacco continues digging into her past for ideas for new books. This one is no exception.
When Patricia and her family move to Battle Creek, she is not sure it will feel like home until she befriend Mrs. Creavy, the librarian, who opens up a whole new world of birding to young Patricia, who spearheads the creation of a bird sanctuary at their school.
Written and illustrated by Polacco, young Trisha's life continues to unfold. As always, it is an endearing and beautifully written memoir about a turning point in her life. Her illustrations, rendered in pencil, marker, and acrylic paint, are bright and colorful, with lots of pattern and texture displayed here often found in her other books.
A wonderful book to include in a unit on service learning or starting clubs at school. Bring this out for National Library Week also, as PP's library card is shown in the back. Highly Recommended for grades 3-6.
When Patricia and her family move to Battle Creek, she is not sure it will feel like home until she befriend Mrs. Creavy, the librarian, who opens up a whole new world of birding to young Patricia, who spearheads the creation of a bird sanctuary at their school.
Written and illustrated by Polacco, young Trisha's life continues to unfold. As always, it is an endearing and beautifully written memoir about a turning point in her life. Her illustrations, rendered in pencil, marker, and acrylic paint, are bright and colorful, with lots of pattern and texture displayed here often found in her other books.
A wonderful book to include in a unit on service learning or starting clubs at school. Bring this out for National Library Week also, as PP's library card is shown in the back. Highly Recommended for grades 3-6.
April 17, 2023
Patricia Polacco has gifted us with another wonderful book. This one tells the story of her life at the age of six. She, her mother, and her brother moved from the family farm to Battle Creek. Her Bubbie (grandmother) had died and her grandfather sold the farm. He and Patricia were very close - and he had taught her all about the birds that lived on the farm. When she moved to Battle Creek, she discovered there were birds there, also! A nest of robins lived right outside her window. But best of all was the wonderful Willard Library and Mrs. Creavy, the librarian.
Patricia had a hard time learning to read because of several undiagnosed learning disorders. But she fell in love with art.
Like all of her books, this is a wonderful story! I loved reading about Patricia moving to a new place, making new friends, and overcoming obstacles.
Patricia had a hard time learning to read because of several undiagnosed learning disorders. But she fell in love with art.
Like all of her books, this is a wonderful story! I loved reading about Patricia moving to a new place, making new friends, and overcoming obstacles.
July 12, 2023
A 5-star picture book that made me feel so warm and delighted! I feel inspired by Patricia Polacco. I loved reading her illustrated books -- they moved me! The theme of birds, artistry, library, books, and most of all, the importance of having role models or teachers in your life to inspire your growth or spark your passion/ideas!! I LOVE THIS BOOK. Almost brought me to tears. Because I almost feel EVERYTHING that Patricia is feeling when she wrote this book. Idk how best to describe it. It's like her words and illustration radiated magic that came to life. Because it's true.
July 25, 2023
Of course I loved the story, which is based on actual events in this beloved MI author's life. A kind librarian in Battle Creek helps Trisha find books about birds, and introduces her to the art of Audubon.
The book will appeal to adult fans who fell in love with PP's past picture books. The illustrations are signature PP, with beautiful familiar faces and gorgeous realistic rural, urban, indoor and outdoor scenes.
But this book may not be a hit with children, who will find it very text heavy, full of names, and dense with many small details that slow down the narrative.
ELA tie-in: memoir, setting.
Reading promotion tie-in: how books and reading can shape one's life.
The book will appeal to adult fans who fell in love with PP's past picture books. The illustrations are signature PP, with beautiful familiar faces and gorgeous realistic rural, urban, indoor and outdoor scenes.
But this book may not be a hit with children, who will find it very text heavy, full of names, and dense with many small details that slow down the narrative.
ELA tie-in: memoir, setting.
Reading promotion tie-in: how books and reading can shape one's life.
October 4, 2023
Reading Patricia Polacco's books about Michigan is like experiencing warm hugs for me. Reading this book about a library in Michigan was like getting a warm hug from my favorite person. Polacco writes about moving from her family's farm to the city. Her Grampa sells the family farm and reassures Trisha that the farm will be well cared for. He tells her that she will still find her beloved birds in the city. Life continues in the city and Trisha makes amazing discoveries. The library is like a palace, and through the kindness of the librarian, Trisha discovers amazing bird books. This in turn helps her class start a love for birds. I love how kindness is shown to beget kindness here.
January 16, 2026
I often start out skeptical of the level of detail and the length of every Polacco book, only to watch her words bewitch every child who encounters her work. I, too, feel mesmerized by the juicy descriptions of the setting, the moments that feel mundane to grown-ups but make all the difference to kids. She has somehow figured out how to bring memoir into the picture book scene in a sophisticated and relatable way.
I so admire that she centers the adults who put her on her path in her writing. This one really highlights the power of libraries, of adults who celebrate your strengths rather than define you by your deficits, and the magic of letting young people drive the learning.
I so admire that she centers the adults who put her on her path in her writing. This one really highlights the power of libraries, of adults who celebrate your strengths rather than define you by your deficits, and the magic of letting young people drive the learning.
March 16, 2023
Public library copy
This was a touching and beautifully illustrated account of the author's own childhood experiences with moving house, studying birds, and discovering all of the wonderful things the library has to offer.
In the 1990s, I had several friends in library school who loved to get my children Polacco books like The Keeping Quilt for gifts. While I really liked them, my children were not huge fans.
The reason might be that there is a LOT of text on each page. While it's interesting, it also reads more like an illustrated short story.
This was a touching and beautifully illustrated account of the author's own childhood experiences with moving house, studying birds, and discovering all of the wonderful things the library has to offer.
In the 1990s, I had several friends in library school who loved to get my children Polacco books like The Keeping Quilt for gifts. While I really liked them, my children were not huge fans.
The reason might be that there is a LOT of text on each page. While it's interesting, it also reads more like an illustrated short story.
March 23, 2023
I was disappointed in Polacco's latest offering. She shares the story of when she, her brother, and her mother moved to Battle Creek, Michigan for a year. The title and book cover led me to believe the book was going to focus on the public library. In the 56 pages of this beautifully illustrated book, only 13 pages were devoted to the library. The book was REALLY about Trisha's love of birds and how she generated enthusiasm for birds in her classroom. The book needs better editing. There were long, drawn passages that will surely lose young listeners.
April 17, 2023
A nice tribute to Audubon and libraries. Certainly the "this really happened and I can prove it" ending has appeal - but the library card with its number "123456" seems forged, or at least fictionalized. It also seems to have been produced by the exact same person as the Audubon club membership card. I have a hard time accepting that these are the real McCoys. And if they aren't, then why show them?
I never have been a huge fan of Polacco's style, and this didn't change my mind. Those who appreciate her more will probably really love this one.
I never have been a huge fan of Polacco's style, and this didn't change my mind. Those who appreciate her more will probably really love this one.
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