Library Lil

by Suzanne Williams, Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

From the day she was born, Lil had a book in her hand ... so it's no surprise when she grows up to become a librarian herself. She even manages to turn the people of Chesterville—who are couch potatoes—into readers. But then Bust-'em-up Bill roars into town with his motorcycle gang. Just mention reading to him and you're toast. Has Lil finally met her match? This original tall tale by a real-life librarian, combined with Steven Kellogg's trademark humor, is better than any TV show!

"A librarian's favorite fantasy... The silliness of both story and pictures are perfectly matched... A winner for storytimes anywhere." —School Library Journal, starred review

"This love story about books is enough to make anyone wish for a permanent TV blackout!" —Children's Literature

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Books About Books, Fiction, Humor, Storytime, Motorcycle

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this odd little story about a librarian who gets her TV addicted town to read. This was in 1997 before all the smart phone/TV came into being.

Lil was a tough and wildly imaginative girl who grew up reading the encyclopedias after finishing off all the children’s books. She got so strong lifting the entire set at once when she checked them out (nevermind that you can’t check out encyclopedias). One night a storm hits and knocks out peoples TV. Lil puts a book in each persons hands and gets them hooked on reading. The show down is with a biker gang that comes to town and they don’t like books. So they try and intimidate Lil and Lil gets to show them a thing or 2. Wouldn’t you know that Lil gets those tough boys reading.

It’s a funny story and I love the sentiment here in these pages. The bikers are funny and seeing funny Lil is wonderful. It’s the perfect sort of whimsical story. The artwork is fine,

The nephew and I giggled our way through this. He thought that Lil and how silly she was when she read reminded him of me. She was a bit looney. He thought Lil tossing bikes around was funny and he laughed at the ending with Bust-‘em-up Bill in the library telling stories. He liked the humor here. He gave it 4 stars.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

From infancy, Lil loves books and storytelling. And is super-strong. So she naturally becomes a super-librarian, swooping in to save non-readers from themselves. And from motorcycle gangs.

The more Kellogg's books are about people, the less they work for me. His animals are so expressive and adorable, but his people all look the same and are kind of lumpy and clumsy and blah. Lil looks just like the girl in the previous Kellogg book I read, A Rose for Pinkerton. Her cat (which has no role in the plot) has more expression than she does.

Also, I did not find the premise that all people need to learn to love books is to have their TVs taken away and the books forced into their cringing hands.

As if often the case with Kellogg, my favorite thing was the peripheral details in the illustrations: the kids at the library reading other Kellogg books, the motorcycle gang brawling over who gets to read The Mouse and the Motorcycle first, the man being told by the computer YOU ARE WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Fun enough but definitely not one of Kellogg's best.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story that has all the elements of a tall tale.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My niece was very clear that I should give Library Lil four stars. She said to me, "I thought this one was going to be kind of boring, but it's not! It was really good and funny!" Libary Lil also seemed to appeal to my nephew. At first he didn't care about the book too much, but once motorcycles were invovled, he was hooked and listened to the story to the end. Both kids seemed to be quite interested in this story.

While the story is lots of fun, what impressed me about this book was the language! If there were opportunities to use simpler words, the author chose the more challenging ones. At no time did she assume that her readers didn't have the intelligence to understand what they were reading, and she made the obvious choice to not dumb the text down for kids. This is so rare, and I really appreciate authors who not only engage kids, but who treat them as intelligent people!

All in all, a great book, especially if you strive to build your child's vocabulary, or seek out books that honor their intelligence.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another picture book that has been on my classroom bookshelf for some time without me reading it. Given that it is national "library card" month and I have been pushing the public library on my students and their families (pizza party in October if students show me their library card), I thought this was an appropriate read.

It's not exactly the story I thought it would be, but now looking at the cover, I guess I should have realized.

Lil grew up an avid reader. We have run across that word a couple times this week already. She checked out all the encyclopedia at once and turned the pages with her teeth as she carried the balance in her hand. She was strong. So strong she was that she could lift a car. That seemed an odd trait until later in the story.

She grew up to be a librarian. Unfortunately, her programs were ill-attended and no one seemed to be checking out books. The folks in her town were television watches. The "devil's invention". Well, a storm came through and power was lost for a few weeks. Library Lil grasped the opportunity and shuffled out books to the towns people. They became readers. Yeah, Lil.

Then a motorcycle gang came into town. They were shooting pool in a bar. The leader, Bust-em Up Bill asked the bartender to put on the television. The bartender was not able to comply as there was no television. He explained that since everyone now read, television wasn't needed. Bill and his gang were furious. He demanded to see this Lil.

Lil showed up. Bill threatened. Lil held her ground. She said she would move their motorcycles if they didn't. Exasperated, Bust-em Up BIll announced that if she could, he would read a book. Well, now we know why we learned how strong Lil was earlier in the story. She kept tossing the motorcycles aside. Dumbfounded, Bill and his mates began checking out books from the library. They fought over The Mouse and the Motorcycle. :) Bust-em Up Bill became known as Library Bill. He and Lil became sweet on each other.

Kind of a weird read, but neat at the same time.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another member reviewed this a few years ago and I agree with her opinion on the illustrations 110%. I also love the illustrations in Is Your Mama A Llama? but here it's not working. For whatever reason the characters in this story look like they're in some sort of time warp. Like a child who is fairly good at drawing drew them up. They kind of made me sick to my stomach. I'm not trying to be harsh but the peoples faces really do just leave a bad taste behind.
Books about book, libraries, ect. are some of my favorites when it comes to childrens books (not so much in the adult realm as of yet) and this one is certainly okay. But it's nothing special IMO. I was somewhat disappointed because when I saw the cover and read the title i had high hopes for it. In defense of the story, those faces may have a lot to do with my feelings, I still can't get the doughy, pasty faces out of my head.
The description is laid out so I'll skip it. Lil really isn't someone I feel like I'd like. That's a shame because "on paper" it seems the exact other way. But when I thought about it I didn't feel that way at all.
I had a hard time with her saying that t.v. is the "devil's invention". I'm not sure why the author chose those words when so many more could have taken it's place without being so.... whatever that is. The devil's invention? Really? Because I can't stand t.v. I hardly ever watch it myself. Even not by myself, besides the odd Disney movie and/or cartoon I'm hardly ever in front of the t.v. We don't have t.v.'s in our bedrooms or kitchen. But the devil's invention? Kind of kooky if you ask me.
I really wasn't feeling the whole stereotypical biker gang stuff either. Just not my cup of tea. When I have to alter words as I read because I don't want something conveyed to my daughter there's something wrong.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library Lil grew up loving books and when she becomes the librarian in a town who is obsessed with television, she teaches them all to love reading. She is also physically strong from carrying all those books and bests a motorcycle gang who challenges her, creating more book allies. Cute and creative.

The illustrations take up most of the pages and are FULL of details. They were designed using ink and pencil line with watercolor washes.

[Dani Vatsaas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about a librarian who changes an entire town from TV-watchers into avid readers, and even faces the roughest, toughest gang member standing between her and her books. If the story doesn't get you, the illustrations will. One big thumbs up!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[Robert Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sort of a Paul Bunyan / Johnny Appleseed version of the librarian. Good story.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read just like you

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horn Book Guide March, 1998
Lil is a larger-than-life librarian who manages to turn a town full of television addicts into readers, and even converts members of a tough motorcycle gang into library lovers. Though the tall tale is overly didactic, Kellogg's trademark detailed, exaggerated illustrations suit the outrageous story.

Kirkus Reviews 1997
Move over, Paul Bunyan--here comes Library Lil, who can toss a motorbike over her head like an apple core, balance a set of encyclopedias on the palm of one hand, speed-read every book in the children's room, tell a whale of a story, and convert an entire town to reading. Williams (Made in China, 1997, etc.) teams up with Kellogg for an exuberant, tongue-in-cheek adventure that will certainly strike a chord with book lovers. Lil, who always wanted to be a librarian, works in Chesterville, where the people watch too much television (which Lil labels "the Devil's Invention"). When a horrible storm takes down the power lines, Lil seizes her chance, pushing the bookmobile up and down the darkened streets and making sure that every man, woman, and child has a book to read. By the time electricity is restored two weeks later, the whole town is full of readers. When Bust-'em-up and his motorcycle gang roar into town and park in Lil's spot, there are more changes in the wind: Soon Bust-'em-up Bill becomes Bookworm Bill, and Lil finds time for a little Tuesday night wrestling on television. Great fun, with Kellogg's watercolors working hand-in-glove to put the humor of the tale over the top.

Publishers Weekly October 6, 1997
"I bet you think that all librarians are mousy little old ladies," opens Williams's (Mommy Doesn't Know My Name) jovial tale of a spunky, book-loving girl who grows up to become a charismatic librarian. Though Lil plans a storytelling festival and stocks the stacks with new books, no one comes to check them out. The town's residents are too busy watching TV, which to her "was an evil that ranked right up there with poison ivy and mosquitoes." When a storm knocks out the electricity for two weeks, the resourceful bibliophile hooks the population on reading as she pushes a bookmobile (whose battery is "deader than a pickled herring") through town, using muscle power acquired from schlepping stacks of books as a child. Her awesome strength also helps the woman make book lovers of a barely literate motorcycle gang--a humorous feat that won't be lost on reluctant young readers. Kellogg's wit is in full evidence in his waggish illustrations, prepared using ink and pencil line and watercolor washes. Adding to the sparkle of Williams's narrative are such spectacles as multiple TVs lighting up the windows of every single house and the bikers, in a pig-pile on the library floor, fighting for a copy of Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Lighthearted yet illuminating, this is a volume bound to lure kids from the TV screen. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly May 21, 2001
"Lighthearted yet illuminating, this is a volume bound to lure kids from the TV screen," said PW about this story of a bibliophile determined to get her boob tube-loving town reading. Ages 4-8. (May) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal November 1997
Gr 2-4--A librarian's favorite fantasy. Lil the librarian is discouraged because no one comes to her dynamite storytimes, and no one checks out her terrific new books. The whole town would rather watch TV. Then one happy, stormy night, the power fails and stays off for two solid weeks. Lil pushes (credit her childhood practice lifting encyclopedias) the bookmobile (dead battery) around town and--presto!--changes vacant-eyed boob tubers into avid readers. But pretty soon, here comes trouble in the person of Bust-'em--up Bill, the tattooed leader of the (gasp) motorcycle gang. Bill blames Lil because there's no danged TV in the pool hall. Confrontation in the library parking lot! Bill's gang is waiting right where Lil wants to park her bookmobile. Will they move their bikes? Are you kidding? Nobody messes with Big Bad Bill, except of course, our heroine Lil. One by one, she tosses them aside, earning the respect of the not-so-scary desperadoes. The payoff is reading books, and since these guys are not academically gifted, Lil starts them off with Easys (Kellogg titles, natch). Pretty soon Lil has a new assistant. Bust-'em-up Bill is now Bookworm Bill, and the two even watch a little TV now and then. The silliness of both story and pictures are perfectly matched. Kellogg's distinctive toothy kids and laughing cats crowd the pages, fitting right in with the baby-faced biker banditos. A winner for storytimes anywhere.--Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX

[Audrey Widjaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Librarian united!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Picture book: Contemporary Literature

Summary: Library Lil grows up with an imagination, a love of reading, and some major muscle strength. She is a passionate librarian who tries unsuccessfully to get the townspeople to turn off their TV’s and read. One night a storm hits the town and Library Lil pushes the mobile library bus through the town like a stroller to offer the people something to do while the power is down. After two weeks of no TV the whole town loves to read! One night a gang gets angry at Library Lil when they want to watch TV and the pool hall doesn’t have one because no one watches it anymore. Bust-‘em-up Bill and the gang challenge her and through some muscling moves she wins them over and they become readers as well.

Critique: (a.) The use of exaggeration throughout Library Lil presents the readers with a relatable character who has superhero abilities and challenges the notion of librarians being “mousy little old ladies” (p.1).
(b.) The presentation of the librarian as strong, current, passionate, and willing to do anything to get people to read is the strength and appeal of this book.
(c.) We see Lil as an extraordinary child who loves to read. “By the time she was eight, she’d read all the books in the children’s room” (p. 4). She also has superhero strength exhibited in an illustration of her lifting a car up with one hand. “When the third grade soccer ball got stuck under the principal’s car, Lil retrieved it” (p. 5). Her urgency to get people to read is demonstrated when she heads out in hurricane force, stormy winds to hand push the bookmobile “like a baby carriage” (p. 13). She shows no fear when the gang attempts to block her way to the library. She challenges them to move their bikes and when they don’t, she takes the bet that Bust-‘em-up Bill makes with her that he will read a book if she can move their motorcycles. “She flexed her skinny muscles. Then she stooped down, reaching under one of the motorcycles. Straightening, she suddenly hoisted the motorcycle with one hand and tossed it into the street” (p. 22). Soon all of the gang members are reading and we see that Bust-‘em-up Bill is now Bookworm Bill and assisting Lil in the library (p. 28).

Curriculum Connection: I love how this book breaks the stereotypes of a librarian. I most definitely would use this book in the library to start the school year off with students. I would also use it with faculty as we work together to make every child a passionate learner and reader.

[Casey Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like to read tall tales? Well, if you do Library Lil, written by Suzanne Williams, is for you.

Library Lil is a great and funny picture book for kids about a determined young librarian who wants everyone to use and enjoy the library. It is a tall tale, which is written in the American folk tale tradition. In the spirit of Paul Bunyan, or John Henry Library Lil is our female heroine. Lil is a great role model who is able to singlehandedly haul a beat up bookmobile around and tame a wild motorcycle gang, all in the name of producing prolific readers in her small town.

Steven Kellogg's colorful and active illustrations add to the wildness of the story and the grit of Lil's character. Author and illustrator allow children to see everything unfold as Lil's story is told. Lil is an unforgettable gal who delivers a good message about reading, with a surprise twist at the end.

Early on Lil always loved to read. So it’s no wonder that when she grew up she would become a librarian. Lil is not like the image of other librarians one may conjure up in their minds though. Instead, Lil has super-human arm strength from all the lifting of books and encyclopedias she read as a young child. As the newly appointed librarian of Chesterville, Lil was sad to see that the town’s people were more interested in the boob tube than her tomes. Until one momentous night, when there was a horrific storm that blew into town cutting off the power for two weeks. Opportunity was knocking at Lil’s door, and she answered it. She would transform the couch potatoes into scholars yet.

A little while later a group of book hating rabble-rousers rode into town on choppers. Their motorcycle leader, Bust-‘em-up Bill, wanted to watch professional wrestling, but couldn’t find a TV in the pool hall to watch it on. Do the renegades find a spot to watch the wrestling match? Does Lil create book lovers out of the villains? You’ll have to read Library Lil to find out.

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I don't like about Library Lil is calling a television "The Devil's Invention" since the best librarians do not begrudge fellow humans their preferred entertainment mediums. She comes around by the end! This book is charming and I like the idea that Lil gains physical strength from all the encyclopedias she carried around as a child.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lil has loved books since the day she was born, and as an adult she became a librarian in the town of Chesterville, where people only watched television. Library Lil soon changed the town folks way of thinking. Through feats of strength she also convinces the leader of a motorcycle gang and his members to read more.

[Morgan]

Loved the story behind this book. I think it was a great way to encourage children to read! It was funny and had a great excitement factor. I didn't expect the end to turn out the way it did so that makes me very excited for young kids to read. I can't wait to have this book in my classroom.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lil is a librarian with superhuman strength and a love for books so strong that she turns the whole town into readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent for the elementary school age, but not outstanding. A possible story time pick.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVE this book!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lil is strong and loves to read so she grows up to be a librarian strong enough to win over a biker gang.

[Sarah Daniluk · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're more than cardigan wearing book jockeys!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect intro to middle readers for stereotypes!

[emyrose8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically, I want to be Lil when I grow up. :D

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book about a super librarian. Great role model even if it is fiction. Puts reading in a positive light. I like that.

[Abbey Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library Lil is a hilarious book about a lady that opened up a new library. As a child Lil read every book in the children's room and soon, she was reading the encyclopedias by the whole set. She would read volume "A" with one hand and she would carry the rest in the other hand. When she opened the new library, she noticed that there were not many people interested in reading. They were all watching their TV's. There was a bad storm one night where electricity was off for two weeks. This was a perfect opportunity for Lil to give people some books. She went door to door to give people book during the storm. The people of the town got in the habit of reading, so after electricity was back on, they were not even interested in TV anymore. One day a group of tough bikers came to town and wanted to watch the TV. They found Lil and tried to start a fight with her, but she would not let them. She threw their bikes out of the way like they were feathers and in return, they checked out some books. They became regular customers and the leader became an important friend and assistant to Lil. I enjoyed this book because it was humorous. There were things that were so far out there that they were just funny! This would be a great read aloud book or for students to look at by themselves. There is so much going on in the pictures, children could spend a lot of time looking at it.

[Lisa Lowenfels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun and funny! The best part is that when you think everything is about to turn out perfectly, something suddenly goes down. It's really cool when Lil' was little - she can play soccer, take a bath, and build a tree house - all while reading with a book in her hand. The story has a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and all of the characters are really funny.

Library Lil is a superhero of sorts. Her super strength and her addiction to reading make her a well balanced character that this classroom loved. We recommend this funny story to other classrooms and families who love reading as much as we do.

(Ms. Lisa's 4th/5th grade class)

[Emmy Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Level: K-2

I loved this book! Lil was so fun to read about and her personality was perfect for a librarian. It was so fun to get to memorize this story for class because there was so much character development and everything that happened was very engaging. The illustrations in this book were amazing and I loved all the color. Overall, this is now one of my new favorite children's book and I will definitely start to recommend this story.

[Micaela Varela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like Footloose but for reading. A hero named Library Lil helps a whole town learn to love to read. I like how she got her strength from carrying a number of volumes of books. And then she uses that strength to show up a motorcycle gang. She is SO rad how can you not love her? Library Lil you are a wonder woman.