Review by Booklist Review
Spencer, a little boy who loves his picture books, is undone when his favorite, Night-Night, Narwhal, goes missing. One by one, the other books start disappearing from his bedroom shelves. Accusing his little sister brings tears (from her) and punishment (for him), but still the books are gone. Then one night, he sets a trap for the thief and makes an amazing discovery. A practical lad, Spencer sets up a system that allows him to keep track of his books while sharing his enjoyment with others. Written with pleasing simplicity, the story is a real charmer. Children may also pick up on narrative elements in the illustrations that aren't mentioned in the text. For example, each time a book goes missing, something (a tulip, a bolt) appears on the shelf in its place. Bold, black lines define the expressively drawn characters within the colorful double-page scenes. Ohi's first venture into writing as well as illustrating (she did the art for Michael Ian Black's I'm Bored, 2012) will resonate with kids who love their books and their libraries.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Spencer's beloved books keep disappearing. After his younger sister is ruled out as suspect (an accusation that earns Spencer the punishment of playing tea party with her), he sets a trap and discovers that the culprit is a family of bibliophilic squirrels (in their defense, they do leave behind tulip heads and metal bolts as payment). How can one book lover begrudge another? So Spencer formalizes the borrowing ("Just like at the library, they had to return the books they borrowed before they could borrow more") and even sets up a story hour. With its clever, mop-headed hero and supporting cast of silent but highly expressive squirrels (including a mother squirrel who sports chic turquoise reading glasses), this is a story that should quickly find its way into the hearts of book lovers of all ages. Readers' only wish may be that Ohi (Naked!), in her first book as both writer and illustrator, had spent less time in the setup and more on how Spencer and his new friends bloom and grow as a literary community. Ages 4-8. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Spencer loves his books, especially Night-Night, Narwhal, but each morning he finds another one missing with a mysterious flower, nut, or bolt resting on his diminishing bookshelf. His parents are busy and have no idea where the missing books might be. When he accuses his baby sister, she bawls, and only a humiliating tea party will soothe her hurt feelings. The determined youngster hatches a plan to catch the book thief. He ties some string to his beloved plush narwhal and waits till morning. Imagine his surprise when he discovers a group of squirrels behind the hedges with an array of his missing titles. One large blue-spectacled critter is reading his favorite; others are enjoying several more. One little squirrel offers a yellow tulip. "Spencer told the squirrels they could borrow his books. But there would be rules. Just like at the library, they had to return the books they borrowed before they could borrow more. But they didn't need to leave anything behind." The final page features big brother reading Night-Night, Narwhal to his baby sister surrounded by seven engrossed squirrels as a bewildered mom and dad peek through the bedroom door. The brightly colored, digital cartoons are expressive and sweetly endearing. Muted posters on the wall proclaim, "Turn it off and READ A BOOK" and "I [heart] MY LIBRARY." VERDICT A perfect introduction to the concept of libraries for the youngest readers.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When Spencer realizes someone is raiding his bookshelf, he makes a plan to catch the thief. The trap reveals some unusual culprits: a band of squirrels in search of something to read. Spencer--a book lover himself--kindly devises a library-style lending system. Bold digital illustrations with thick black outlines, featuring clues not mentioned in the text, encourage readers to ponder the mystery. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When young Spencer's beloved books begin to disappear, the boy devises a plan to catch the culprit (although not before suspecting his toddler sister).Muted shades of purple, blue and pale green are the background colors for the appealing opening, in which Spencerin narwhal-themed red pajamasis cuddled up with his mother, stuffed narwhal toy tucked under his arm; his and his mother's wide, comic-strip eyes focus on an open book. "Spencer loved books. His favorite bedtime book was Night-Night, Narwhal. Sometimes he read it aloud." No doubt it's the kind of read-aloud done by 4-year-olds who've heard their favorite story many times. When Night-Night Narwhal disappears, Spencer's father reads him Tenacious Todd, but it doesn't quite work for bedtime: "But Todd was a toad, and toads were amphibians, and amphibian books were supposed to be for right-after-lunch story time." The humor and charm continue as more of Spencer's books, which he keeps so carefully on his shelf, begin disappearingeven Send in the Clown Fish! Astute readers will notice tulip petals and screws replacing the confiscated codices. Although the thief's identity may be suspected, no one will expect the funny, sweet and original ending. Fans of Mo Willems will especially appreciate the family dynamics and expressive artwork. The brilliant combination of art and text will capture the imaginations of both bibliophiles and less-than-enthusiastic readers. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
