Our Library

By Eve Bunting and Maggie Smith

When Miss Goose announces that the library is going to close forever, Raccoon and his friends spring into action. Where will they get the help they need to save their beloved library? In books, of course!
This cheery tale from ever-popular author Eve Bunting shows how important libraries are to every community. Facing a dilemma that is all too common in our human world today, the adorable animal denizens of Buttercup Meadow confront it with an inspiring blend of ingenuity, teamwork, and imagination.
Bright, playful illustrations enhance the light treatment of this serious subject, in a story that celebrates the value of books in everyone’s lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Aug 18, 2008
• ISBN: 9780547771182

Eve Bunting

Eve Bunting was the beloved, award-winning author of more than two hundred and fifty books for young people, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere.

Book preview

Reviews for Our Library

[allieburks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Illustrations: watercolor and acrylic. Miss Good announces that the library is going to close forever. Raccoon and his friends become very sad and take action to save it. They try and fix the roof and walls of the library and it doesn't work. Then, they try to save up enough money to help run the library, but that doesn't work. They decide they want to move the library to the Buttercup Meadow, but Old Beaver is cranky and at first doesn't let them move it there, but he soon allows them to move the library there because he sees the power of reading. This book is fantasy because animals are the main characters of the story and they talk and do human actions; however, the story is about something that could actually happen to humans and is close to our hearts. Reading is very important and the characters in this book emphasize that. Age appropriateness: primary, intermediate.

[hart0521 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A couple of animals save the day when they prevent their library from being closed down. Teaches kids the importance of libraries and reading.

[fjola-5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A good story with anthropomorphic animals who work together to save their local library, illustrating how essential libraries are and what you can learn reading books from the library. The illustrations are bright and cute. My son (almost 4) was really drawn into this story about the fate of the library: "That was a good story, mommy! I liked it."

PS. Just noticed the book was written by an octagenarian. Well done!

[bethany1221 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a cute book about reading and how it is important. The library is closing so the little animals read books to learn how to paint, make a new roof, raise money, an finally talk to the grumpy old beaver. The little animals convince the old beaver to let them move the library on his meadow so that everyone can keep enjoying to read

[missbrandysue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All the young animals are very sad when Miss Goose, the librarian, tells them they have to shut down the library. But after reading many books on how to save the library they are able to do it. Thanks for Grandpa Beaver the library is moved and everyone continues to use it for its great importance.

A great book to read at the beginning of the school year. It really stresses the importance of books, and reading, and learning too. It also has wonderful illustrations I'd love to have around my classroom. It does have a lot of advanced vocabulary! (For example: ignorant, flummoxed, etc) But a very sincere tale...

[emleonard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a great book to read to young children about why it's important to have a library and use it. When a group of friends find out that their library is closing forever because its old and they don't have the money. So, they find books to read about how they could make it new and how to collect money so keep it open. When the librarian tells them that the person that owns the library wants the land the group of friends go out to find the piece of property so they could have their library on it.

[dangerlibearian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Some very intrepid animals learn that their library is closing forever. They do all they can to keep the library open, they learn how to do everything from all the books they check out. The book has a happy ending, but in this economic climate is it really a good idea to read it?!

[carriedold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Promotes reading, and libraries.

[3riverslibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Our Library is an excellent book that describes what you can learn by reading a book. The story starts when Miss Goose, the local librarian, announces that the library is going to close because it needs repairs. The animal children don’t want the library to close, and they check out books in order to learn how to solve the problem. Miss Goose is happy, but there are other problems facing the library. The children keep checking out more and more books to continue solving the problems facing their library. In the end they manage to save the library, learn new things, make others happy, and help a friend learn to read. The colorful illustrations by Maggie Smith could tell the story all on their own. They are bright, fun and will catch a child’s attention.
Reviewed by Michelle, Three Rivers Public Library