Stella Louella's Runaway Book

From Publishers Weekly From the start of this cheerful cumulative tale, Ernst (Bubba and Trixie) gives youngsters crowded spreads chock-a-block with amusing particulars. Cereal spills from an overturned box, macaroni tumbles out of the cupboard and a marmalade-hued cat takes refuge in the arms of Stella Louella's father as the girl feverishly tears apart the kitchen in search of her missing library book?due by five o'clock that day. She consults her brother, Sam, who left it by the mailbox, which leads her to their letter carrier, who picked it up with the mail and left it at the house on the corner. He then joins the growing search party, which continues to increase as each person Stella queries directs her to someone else. The parade eventually winds its way to the library with just five minutes to go, where the kind librarian announces she had already found the book?on a bench outside the building. Aside from the bustling cartoon artwork, what distinguishes this rather predictable tale is the spectrum of voices Ernst works into her narrative. Each character chimes in a reaction to the book based on his or her occupation or interest and simultaneously offers clues to its identity. The back cover and front flap carry a clever rubber stamp-like message: "Whatever you do, don't lose this book!" Ages 4-8. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 2-"On Saturday morning, Stella's library book disappeared, as if in a magic act." So begins this rollicking tale of visual clues and reader anticipation as a cavalcade of characters retrace their steps throughout town in order to locate the child's book. Clues to the name of the missing title are cleverly concealed in the dialogue and pictures, making this a great story for reading out loud. The search party eventually winds up at what appears to be a dead end-a bench at the corner of Tenth and Walnut. However, this happens to be right in front of the library, so Stella and crew walk inside to break the news to the librarian, whom, they discover, has the book. The day is saved. From the front cover of a library card and date-due slips to the fly papers of packed bookshelves to the borders of due-date labels framing each page, this book exudes the familiarities of readers and libraries. Ernst's homey illustrations, rendered in soft pastels and pencils, are in perfect unison with the lively tone of the story. Children will enjoy studying each page for clues and hidden jokes. Order two copies-one for reading out loud (try pairing it with Suzanne Williams's Library Lil [Bantam, 1993] for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, N.-- for a fun literary duo) and one for constant checkout.